dstock

Yeah, I'm not saying everyone has deeper interests but these people are out there! You may have to steer the conversation in that direction or ask questions to facilitate. I was trying to say those are the easiest/default topics to go to with people you don't know well. And some people do have interests but just prefer to keep the conversation light. I am actually satisfied a nice mix of banal discussions, sharing personal experiences (things they do with their families, activities/events/hobbies they do in the community) with an occasional deeper topic when there is a common interest. (I may not be much luckier than you in terms of people, I just am OK with a lower level of conversation, haha)

A lot of people just make that kind of small talk because its safe, easy for others to relate to, appropriate for a work setting, etc. Its just basic vanilla conversation that lets you connect w/most people on a superficial level and won't risk offending anyone. This is obvious right? Many people have more substantial interests below the surface. You mentioned all people want to talk about is celebrity gossip/car insurance/etc. Many people have interests in art, activism, different periods in history, reading, community-related things, economics, current events, etc etc. Maybe not academic thesis level discussions (is that what you are looking for?) but definitely several steps above banal celebrity gossip and pop music you are referencing.

My friendships with non-grad people (people from high school, random friends-of-friends) are very similar to my friendships w/fellow grad students. Only difference for me is that non-grad are moving ahead in life stages (marriage/house/etc) faster than my grad-student circle so the socialization is a little different. My grad school friends and I just talk about normal life things once we're out of seminar. I like reading about politics, history, etc but I can be curious and read up on anything on my own time. I don't care about intellectual discussions during social time. I want to joke around and talk about whatever... nothing too deep.

You said you were just doing experiments for the undergrad projects now. If you haven't yet defined and agreed to a thesis project/topic yet w/your advisor, you should. (For comps, isn't this a requirement?) Continue to do as much background reading about your project as you can on your own. You must understand the science and future directions quite a bit already if you're writing a co-first author paper, and writing grants. It does sound frustrating not having a PI or someone senior in the lab to discuss the science with. Not sure how to fix this- has it been this way for the whole year, or is it just a stressful month or 2 for the PI lately?

I've never TA'd or taught a class. Failing this student seems harsh if he's been attending and participating regularly and doing the other assignments. Could you make the participation component: 50% your subjective view of the students' effort and attendance(or actual attendance if you've been keeping track), and 50% quiz grades? (for all students)

First year almost complete!! Just waiting to get my grades. Classes....check. Lab rotations....check. And I am sooo excited about my thesis lab & starting my project!!! wahooo

This is odd, but this is the second pregnancy/baby related post that I've noticed the user microarray has downvoted. Microarray, if you don't personally want children that's fine, but it's super weird that you are downvoting people that are.

I am the same! Always worried I missed a citation or accidently worded something too similarly. Even if I worded it completely myself I get worried that I read a certain phrasing and it got stuck in my head and then I wrote it, inadvertantly copying.

I commute 45 mins each way, by car. For me it can be 35-60 mins based on traffic. I go in Mon thru Fri, and occasional weekends. For parking: I opted to pay up $$$ for a spot in a student lot. That way I don't have to drive up and down sidestreets looking for a parking spot after already spending so long in the car. I am sure there are other commuters at your school- do you have any info about what they do, like the best streets to find parking, etc. In addition to the disability office also talk to the parking office if you haven't yet. They will hopefully tell you where commuter students can park. There will be a few days in the winter where it is kind of terrible- driving conditions are bad, slow traffic etc. But most days were fine.

I think OP is driving... wouldn't recommend reading

Congratulations!! I can't offer any advice but I would also be interested in any helpful responses! I'm starting a ~6 year program at age 26 so I definitely have this in my mind. In addition to working a pregnancy around classes, I'm also interested in how people make it work when their schooling involves working in a lab?

I worked for 4 years as well before grad school. I didn't want to use a backpack either- I started out just using purses and about 6 months in I caved and dug out my old backpack from undergrad. Everyday I carry my laptop, a notebook/folder, wallet, lunch/snacks, water bottle, etc and I couldn't make a shoulder bag work. It definitely feels...NOT put together. Maybe I can get some suggestions in this thread

Call them and ask them this question.

You need to make a list of all your expenses, and estimate how much they will cost per month. It is really variable per person how much each expense costs. Monthly Bills/pay every month: Rent Utilities (Electric, heat, etc) Internet Phone Car Payment Car Insurance Gas (esp if you are commuting up to 30min twice per day- will add up) Parking at school Groceries/household items/toiletries Laundry $ Restaurants/drinks Not really monthly but need to budget for: School supplies, books etc. Clothing Medical appointments/perscriptions Dental costs Haircuts etc Any travel Car maintenance Have a little extra money for anything unexpected: broken computer, etc. If you're moving out, you have some higher up front costs to furnish the apartment. When I moved out I got a bunch of old kitchenware from family. Furniture can be found on the side of the road haha. Health insurance at my school costs 3k per year. Maybe you can stay on your parents insurance? Taking out less loans now will make your life better later!!!!

When I left my job for going back to school for a PhD, I gave 3 weeks notice (even though I knew months ahead of time). It depends on the culture of your job. If you give too much notice you could miss out on a raise or even be let go before you want to leave. On the other hand they could resent you for giving too little notice. I agree with themmases definitely give them a date that will be your last day- don't say, you need to be there by August, or ask them how long they want you to stay. Definitely leave clear instructions about your job duties. Where I worked I knew who would be taking over my responsibilities so I trained them before I left. For what to say, just thank them for the opportunity to work there, say you've had a great experience etc. Just tell them for your career you want the degree etc. Hopefully they will be happy and excited for you. (or at least act happy for you). Let us know how it went

perfectly said bsharpe

I like the idea of compliments but I try to use this sparingly, only if something is actually worth complimenting (not fake or superficial). I like talking about something that is going on around us... like if at an academic thing, "what did you think of the talk?" or talking about the food or something. Hopefully after the above 2 possibilities a conversation has started.... then you can talk about yourself and ask them what they do, etc. (warning, "what do you do" can be awkward if they are unemployed) If I'm going to an event I try to have a couple of topics up my sleeve. Like, I can think about mentioning a new restaurant I've tried or place I went around town. I won't force the topic on anyone - but in the case it comes up naturally...idk helps me to pre-plan so I don't stand there silently trying to figure out what to say next haha.

I wouldn't completely give up my career or anything. But I would be very willing to make some sacrifices if the relationship was serious. I wanted a PhD, but my SO (5 yr relationship) was already settled in an area, and would be for many years. So I limited my school applications to within ~ an hour's drive. I didn't apply to all the *best* programs etc, which I considered a minor sacrifice. And, if I didn't get in last year, I would have just continued working in biotech for the year and maybe applied next cycle. Honestly I think I could have had a fine career either staying in biotech and moving up the career track with a BS, so I would have been fine making that small sacrifice (ie, not applying all over the country if I never got accepted locally). I would never have applied anywhere that would require a long distance relationship. I'd rather have a less than ideal career than give up my relationship. (I'm loving my PhD experience, but would have had a good-enough time just working with a bachelors). I'm set with my SO and have no interest in giving it up for career. Maybe it's an age thing. I'll probably graduate when I'm 31.

I used glassdoor.com to look up Quality Control Analyst I salary @ MedImmune. Seems to be around 50K. That seems high to me for entry level. I thought QA/QC from my previous company were making more like 40-45K. I guess it varies!

new york city

watching/caring about professional sports

Upvoted all PLL fans I second the gossip girl recommendation. Easy show to get stuck in an all night binge. Netflix has a lot of documentaries also- I like to just pick a random one and watch.

If you think something unethical is going on, you could bring it up. (like the relationship is affecting the grading). I would definitely address it with the TA first - i.e., tell them about the policy to report relationships, and allow them to report it themselves-, before even considering going over their head to the professor. The age gap is a complete non-issue, ethically. I know you said it doesn't matter, but the fact that you mentioned it makes it seem like it bothers you personally. If it bothers you, fine, but that has nothing to do with the situation really. How do you know it hasn't been reported?

I've only been in about 6 months, and yet to see any change in weight. I do feel the urge to snack more than I used to pre-grad school, especially while reading papers in the evening. I definitely agree w/keeping fruits + veggies around for snacks. Also, water and tea.

You'll be fine. You'll grow into it naturally as you spend more time in a professional environment. If you want to work on easy small improvements, try dropping typical teenage-sounding words and mannerisms from your daily speech: "like", "anyways", "whatever", and the phrase "and stuff" are ones that come to mind for me. (this are just words I've noticed working with high school students and undergrads....but after I typed this I did notice you use "and stuff" a few posts up!)