newpsyche

In case anyone stumbles across this thread and wants answers, I'll say that a very successful grad student spoke to our first-year cohort a week ago to give advice as to how to make it through your first year (which is the worst). She strongly advised making this a 40-hour job. It was such an incredible relief to hear her say that. I haven't stuck with it (i.e., I've worked through every weekend and into every night), but it's good to know that I'm doing this by choice, and that if I burn out I can pause and take a breath without feeling too guilty.

Yep, I definitely think it depends on the program. Of mine (in the last five or six years), two have left after their masters and the rest have stuck with it.

In case anyone stumbles across this thread and wants answers, I'll say that it depends entirely on the program. At my undergrad, grad students were expected to be there every single day, sometimes late into the night and sometimes on weekends. At my current program (PhD) professors and students are only on campus maybe four days a week, often three. No one knows whether you're there or not--offices are spread in several buildings, and as long as you get your work done, that's all that matters. For me, I would waste 45 minutes a day commuting, so I just stay home the two days a week I don't have classes or meetings.

Oh, my dear friends...I'm so sorry. The four weeks leading up to the first day were some of the hardest in my life because I couldn't stop myself from thinking about it. The first two weeks will be incredibly challenging--emotionally, psychologically--but stick with it. It'll all get better.

How funny!! I've been following the blog, too--the PB&J muffins are INCREDIBLE. I've been microwaving them for about 30 seconds before eating--it makes them warm and even more delicious. Not too peanut-buttery at all. I used blackberry jelly...

I'm in the same boat as SeriousSillyPutty--I expected to have to be in the office at least 8 to 5, Monday through Friday. In reality, graduate students are only there when they need to be, and the way most peoples' schedules work out (e.g., courses, meetings) there are one or two days out of five when students simply don't come in and work from home. For me, that will be Mondays and Fridays. As for working from home, I've found that I'm not as productive either...a good idea might be to go to your nearest bookstore (like Barnes & Noble) or coffee shop and set up camp there. You'd be amazed how much you can accomplish, and the atmosphere is more comforting than that of a barren office shared with five or six other grad students! (:

There's a website I found called Grad Girl Grub--she doesn't talk about getting groceries per se, but posts really easy (and surprisingly good) recipes that don't require a lot of time or attention. Might help.

Wow--such diverse experiences, everyone! Keep 'em coming--we all want to know!

Y'all are great! And so very right. I used my first "off" day to attend meetings and make myself visible elsewhere. I have no regrets--it was a great use of time, and it's also a great way to see what's going on outside your own lab. I recommend it, if you have the time to spare! If you don't, try to make time.

Hi, friends! In most of our cases, we're several days into our programs. So...what do you think? If you have a good idea of what will be awaiting you in the next few weeks or even months, what are your thoughts? Is this what you expected? Better, worse? Is anyone suffering Impostor Syndrome?

Hi, all! My schedule is odd in the sense that all meetings, classes, and TA work can--and so far, will--fall on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. This leaves me free on Mondays and Fridays. I love the idea of having an entire day without any distractions to get up at 8 a.m. and simply work--research, coursework, TA duties--and would really love for that to be at home. Would that seem terrible, for a first-year to be working from home? What do you think? My office on campus is too small to hold my cohort, and I think I'd be a lot more productive here...but I don't want to stick out in any way... What are your thoughts?

I'm similar to MaxiJaz! Moved out here in late July, spent a week furnishing and unpacking, spent a week handling paperwork and specifics (HR, payroll, campus registration, drivers license, voter registration, license plate, taxes, insurance, oil change, adopting pets, vet visits, finding a church), spent a week getting to know cohort members and current grad students, and spent a week (this week) getting a huge head start on research with my advisor. The thumb-twiddling time is a little difficult psychologically--you start ruminating over the huge hurdles in your immediate future--but remind yourself to take things one step at a time. I'm grateful for this time. If I'd had to do all of the above while also worrying about school I would've been a basketcase.

All these North Carolina emigrants! I just left N.C. to go across the country, too.

She would be delighted to hear that--she hates her curls. (: She was always saying she'd prefer straight hair because it's easier to manage.

I wish you were close by! We could all have a TGC grading-and-poolside-beverage party. What a blast that would be.

Hi, all! A rather specific question that is surprisingly not answered (or at least not clearly) in other forums: What would you say is that typical attrition rate for PhD programs? Specifically, in social sciences. I heard recently about a grad student who is leaving, and this startled me--I knew it was possible, but didn't know it actually happened. Now I'm unsure how common it is.

Try GradGirlStyle.Blogspot.com! I knew her from undergrad. She's about to start uploading more pics soon once the semester starts.

All of you have been great! Thanks from the bottom of my heart. As for the glass of wine while working, I completely intend to bring my TA work down to the pool and kick back with a margarita. Just saying.

Hi there, friends! I'm an incoming first-year straight out of undergrad for a PhD in psychology. Question for y'all: What is the likelihood that I can "work" daily Monday through Friday from, say, 9 to 5 and get home and treat myself to down time (reading, cooking, playing with my kitties, doing TA work--and yes, I consider TA work down time!)? In undergrad I worked my butt off for a B.S. with highest honors, a B.A., a minor, and a scholar degree in research. I never had "down time" to do more than cook some Easy Mac for myself and rush back to the computer to work while eating. On top of that, I had a job to pay off tuition and room/board costs. I've heard grad students say they treat grad school as a job and work 8-hour days, then have lives outside of that. Particularly if I do TA work during my "off" time, do you think this is feasible? I want to be done in 5 years, not 6, but I also plan on working toward my PhD during summers too and want to preserve my sanity as best I can. I greatly look forward to hearing your opinions!

Thank you to you all! I'm suffering some panicky, terrified, anxious, etc. feelings right now, too--and your posts made me feel much better. (:

Thank you to all of you. I've been having what might be (I've never experienced them before, so I wouldn't know) panic attacks these past few weeks now that I'm here and ready for grad school to begin. I feel like I should be getting my NSF proposal ready, or struggling to get started on reading textbooks, or something like that. But at the same time, I haven't rewarded myself with "down time" since long before undergrad--I've always had an office job or two for every day not in school. Now I want to curl up and read books, play with my new kittens, cook while listening to the Harry Potter audiobooks...and then I feel terribly guilty for doing so.

As an undergrad, I was accepted with no publications or presentations but by the time I graduated, with 6 presentations and a few pending publications. I highly recommend an honors thesis, and then presenting the heck out of that thing! (:

Hi, all! I'd like to thank misterc for warning me--after looking into reviews rather than just their site and admin office, I can see that you're very, very right. Whew...close shave. I'm very interested in Grigio Metro. Are there any current Grigio Metro residents out there? I've heard that if I say you referred me, we both get $250.

I'm also on the search for apartments in the Tempe area, which (to me) must be within walking distance to campus. I don't see what's so wrong with having undergrads in Quadrangles...the cost for absolutely EVERYTHING (including all utilities and even monthly pet fees) is only $825-835 for a one-bedroom apartment. And who would expect otherwise from a city with over 80,000 undergrads? It's a gated community, so I'm sure they would stay on top of any disruptive behavior...

Everyone's answers have been so fantastic--thank you. @ghanada, you were right to think I had no debt--thank goodness I do not, but that's certainly something for others to keep in mind. My parents won't be able to help me financially and I'm terribly against the idea of taking out loans. I had to smile at everyone's tips on how to live frugally--trust me, I am honestly the most frugal person I know. It's actually a little sad. I can't, however, save money while trying to survive on basics--a.k.a., rent, moving costs, car. I really wanted to just get a microscopic apartment (no significant other, just me) and live without a roommate so I can have a pet cat without bothering anyone.