[Overwhelmed by Research]

When I started my grad studies, 90% of the papers I read seemed like Chinese to me (the 10% were papers discussing EXACTLY the kind of research I did as an undergrad). There's the temptation to try to understand everything; but what helps me is to try to get the idea of the paper first, without trying to understand every detail. Then I can re-read it and focus more on the details, and I can discuss the details with my advisor or with other students/postdocs. As I've been reading more papers and done more research, things made sense more often. It also helped me at the beginning to read some review papers. There still are times when a paper is too difficult to understand right away; that happens to professors too, not only to students. Also, some papers are written so poorly, that it's not always your "fault" for having difficulties with them. Conferences are kind of similar. The first ones I went to, I barely understood ~20% of what was being said (usually just the first few introduction slides...). Now it's much better. I was actually at a conference ten days ago, and 90% of what was said was NOT Chinese.

This is very reassuring, thanks:-) I agree that many papers are very badly written...

[Get fit plan]

I've been going to the gym (cardio, but mostly weights) since first year undergrad, though not sure if I'll be able to go as often or for

as long, especially now that I'll be driving to campus and back... I am considering signing up for intro yoga classes just to try something new.

[Orientation mandatory?]

Note: for international students, usually the International Student Orientation day is actually mandatory. I don't know if it's ever been done, but the International Student Office websites imply that our visas are conditional on attending these events. But this doesn't actually occur until a week or two before the term starts, not in the early summer.

I agree - the inter nation student orientation often involves a lot of paperwork and admin. Fun...

[Grad school ruins your eyes?]

Same here, at least I found some nice frames:) Said to a friend that it may come in useful to see where

I'm going when i drive!

[Grad school ruins your eyes?]

Haven't started grad school yet, so can only comment on university in general - always thought I had pretty decent vision, and yesterday

while registering for my driver's license, I failed the eye test spectacularly. Felt like such an idiot.... Needless to say, have an appointment with

an optometrist this week. I hope grad school doesn't make it worse....

No glasses yet - almost done with year 1 of PhD and no changes in my vision. Last I was tested, it was 20/15. I have not, however, started the microscope work that will be part of my lab analysis. I fully anticipate that ruining my eyes. 19 posts on this thread so far, and I notice no one has yet mentioned the dark circles. I spot it now universally on every student in my program. I've always had some dark circles, but now this is like some serious hollow-eye going on. No one warned me! Do I have to start buying products that have "age-defying" on the front?

I've been using "age-defying" skincare products for a while, it's just a part of my routine. Some products are great, others a complete rip off. For the dark circles, I'd recommend something like http://www.vichyusa.com/aqualia-thermal-eye-roll-on-hydrogel.htm

[What Do We Think About Dating other Grad Students?]

I would probably avoid dating someone in the same department, mostly because I need space - and what would we have left to talk about? :-)

That said, I would probably tend towards someone with very similar interests and goals: someone I can relate to and who knows enough about

academia in general and my field...

But life happens, and I don't think it makes sense to go into grad school with excessively strict rules, but rather to have an open mind and use

common sense. I think it also depends on the size of the department; for example, a larger one would provide a helpful buffer of

sorts should things get ugly.

[Research outside one's main field?]

Hi:)

I'll be starting a biology PhD in September, and although I suspect the workload will be high,

I'm very interested in getting involved in (higher/science) education research eventually - this was emphasized

in my personal statement. Any ideas on the best way to do so - i.e., do an education Master's later, or

somehow obtain training in the relevant methodology? I'm certainly not laboring under the delusion that

I can suddenly become an expert in social science research, especially while working in a lab, but

I'd appreciate advice on the best place to start

[The Moving Problem]

I'm moving to a different country, and the hardest part is deciding which of my books to take...

[Family Issues]

Very encouraging comments:-) My family isn't unsupportive in any hostile sense, but they really don't seem to

'get' what I'm doing.

When you hear good news, it can be very hurtful and surprising for people to 'rain on your parade': it is perhaps

normal for practical concerns to be expressed, but not when you've just gotten in.

[Lab notebook]

Agreed, thanks - my honors project supervisor was very relaxed about keeping the lab book, and I normally just kept loads of raw data and graphs on my laptop, but a PhD will require much more discipline. WIll also have to be a little less 'OCD' about it, and resist the urge to throw the whole

thing away if there's a smudge or something

[Lab notebook]

Hi everyone:)

Starting biology PhD in September, will be doing fairly long rotations for the first year, which will hopefully

flow into a research project.

Any ideas/suggestions regarding keeping a lab notebook: I tried during undergrad projects but always got a bit lazy

and struggled to keep it neat. Also, seems weird writing things that aren't of much consequence....

Should I rather type it up daily and file, or use an app, or just a regular notebook?

[Speed Reading Programs]

I once attended a speed reading workshop. I did not find it useful. It's very hard to do speed reading in my field (engineering). You cant speed read through a page of equations. I imagine it works for other kinds of readings. I am not sure.

I know that this thread may be just a hidden advertisement; but, I just wanted to share my experience.

I agree - many of the papers I have to wade through are very technical; speed reading could be useful

to get an overall feel for the work, but I usually have to pick it apart bit by bit. I always read with a pencil or something, find

it helps to follow and underline/make notes - turning it into an active process helps me remember important details.

My problem lately seems more related to concentration, I'll be thinking/worrying about several things at once and keep

jumping from one activity or task to the next, can be quite frustrating.

[Long-distance relationships in a PhD program]

I've had friends who have made the long distance thing work, but when they finally were together again (in a more permanent set-up),

things were somehow 'different'... I suppose, as has been said, it depends largely on the couple.

I am so grateful and relieved that my partner and I were placed within 20 minutes of each other - and I only applied to

my school randomly at the very last minute, they were literally about to meet to start discussing applicants!

[Favorite pens?]

I'm a bit of a pen snob. I sometimes just browse pen websites to see what fancy ones out there. Graff von Faber released a stingray leather fountain pen a few years ago as part of their "Pen of the Year" line. I drooled a bit.

As for the pens I use most often while at school: Parker's Urban Premium Chiseled and a Retro 51 Tornado (I have two of their limited edition pens, including their copper aniversery pen). For less snobby options, I really love Bic's Atlantis pens, and Papermate's new InkJoy pens write very nicely. They have the darker ink lines I associate with rollerballs, but have the ink flow control of a ballpoint. Good combination, in my book.

http://www.amazon.co...28062284&sr=8-3

http://www.amazon.co...28062631&sr=1-2

I've used Parker pens since high school, very reliable - except I tend to lose them eventually... Sometimes I find them in the strangest

places.

[Depression, Motivation, Etc.]

For interest, what are the latest stats for completion of PhDs - by discipline/faculty, age, part vs full time etc?

[Grad. School Supplies?]

So many coffee addicts...

I find coffee has the opposite effect on me. It makes me feel sleepy and nauseous. All I drink is water and milk.

My condolences... :-)

[Grad. School Supplies?]

external hard drive to back up your collection of papers, data, etc.

flash drive - useful for sharing larger files with colleagues, carrying presentations, etc.

a dry erase board and markers - mount it on the wall, it'll make your life wonderful (sort of).

Good tips. I love buying school supplies - though am rather preoccupied with finding an apartment and a car:)

[Securing Housing From Out of Town]

This is quite a stressful situation - I know the feeling since I'm moving halfway across the world to my PhD.

Fortunately, my partner is much, much better at organizing this sort of thing (we both got accepted in the same state, by sheer luck!).

One thing I've learned is that current grad students and faculty seem more than willing to provide advice; my (future) supervisor even

offered to help, so don't be afraid to ask. There's always someone who knows someone who's moving out or has a great place, or

knows what to really avoid.

[Depression, Motivation, Etc.]

I really think that given how much work you've already put in, and that your dissertation project is exciting, your PhD is worth 'fighting for', although

not at the expense of your happiness and well being. Getting the PhD will certainly put you in a better position, in terms of securing a job and

a (hopefully) decent salary - and pulling through will avoid a great big hole in your CV.

Therefore, I think it would be best to firstly get to a point where you can take some time out, maybe travel and get a fresh perspective on things. You

do not necessarily need to commit to returning from the leave of absence (which there is no shame in taking - they must just deal with it).

Also, in my country, it is very common for PhD students to work part time - usually in a related field - while pursuing their graduate work over

an extended period. This tends to lend a sense of purpose amidst all the abstract uncertainty, the life experience often provides valuable insight and skills which actually help with the research, and of course the income is useful. You need to be honest with your supervisor and potential employers, and

negotiate terms most conducive to you being able to balance work and research.

[Dress]

Many, many of my lecturers dressed terribly during undergrad, so I will have to be careful:-) One prof

came in late a few times and lectured in super skimpy cycling shorts, seriously... he only got away with it because he was

actually a great lecturer.

Dressing well is also important for your own confidence - if you feel neat, presentable and in control, you will

project confidence and credibility. But don't overdo it.

[GRE subject tests...]

This has probably been debated before, but is it worth doing a GRE subject test, to make an

application stand out? Do admission committees even look at the scores if they're not a requirement?

Have looked at the topics covered and it's quite a lot of work!

[dilemma... PhD vs post bac]

This is my first post on this site, it's very encouraging to know there are others in a similar position - being an international grad applicant can be extremely stressful, and lonely!

Anyway, I completely underestimated the competitive nature of the programs I applied to, even though I have a fairly ok academic and research 'history', and the last few weeks have been seriously depressing. Fortunately, managed to get a Skype interview at a small but

nice program which I really like - it went well and I had follow-up chats with current grad students. Should be getting feedback quite soon.

However, also been offered a "post-bac" of sorts at a Really good school - it would involve about a year of lab experience with a very high profile supervisor, and possibly some coursework. This would be a means to improve my chances of admission to the same school's PhD program, or a similar one.

Both options seem appealing: the PhD (which I think I'll be offered) is 'safe' in terms of visas and so on, because there are no guarantees that I'll get in anywhere after the post-bac. But, the post-bac may open great doors - it's just such a gamble. Obviously I can't decide anything until I have a firm offer, but it seems like a tough call.... what should I do??

[GPA as an international student]

This is a very useful thread, just sorry I didn't come across this forum last year! Completely agree that the US GPA student can give

a very poor reflection of your performance - my GPA certainly doesn't indicate mine, and this really hurt my application process. It

can be soul destroying to actually be a very good or above average student, and then get rejected by programs because you're (e.g.) 3.5 and not 3.6 - seems

so trivial and inaccurate!! It doesn't indicate the difficulty or relevance of some of your courses, or take into account that one or two stupid subjects can bring you down. If it wasn't for my first year I'd have near 4.0, but so much for that...