Dal PhDer

You are spot on! I am environmental health sciences!! It's a little crazy how much of a greenie I was when I was a kid and I didn't even know it!!! I was also obsessed with Little House! Did you NOT want to be half pint!?!?! That was totally the life! I still believe going back to horse and wagon would be awesome!! Perhaps I am seeking out my Amish Paradise!?! It's crazy how much our childhood characteristics and beliefs are still in us and we don't realize!

It sounds like you are picking the thesis option for a lot of the right reasons! You sound a lot like me. I would prefer the thesis option. I always hated tests and never did particularly well with that format of learning. I do better with having time to think about other options, apply my skills, learn through mistakes, and contemplate the best course of action. I think it has a lot to do with what you prefer. In my program our comprehensives are flexible, so the format of them is up to the student and a committee. I would prefer all paper submissions with defenses, rather than an examination. However, many students think I'm crazy. They would rather have a month or a few weeks of studying and then take the examination and be done with it. So it depends on what you feel suits your abilities the best! Also, if you're thinking of going to graduate school, the thesis is the best option IMO! Like you said, you'll get really great research experience, and that's what committees will want to see. Not to mention, employers will like to see on your resume/CV that you have experience with research!

This is awesome!! I use to do this at Costco!! (Their hotdog and pop deal is AMAZING!!) We don't have an IKEA here...I went to an IKEA for the first time last year, and my friends had to drag me away! My bank account was lucky that I had to fly home, otherwise I would have bought so much there!!

Hi there, I would not say that a thesis is easier than a comp....they are quite different and require different skills from students. I think it depends on the student and how they learn, study and most importantly- what they want to do after their masters. I don't want to say a comp is less time heavy, because that's not true. You need to cram cram cram and the testing is very stressful...but depending on the student, the advisor, the project, the committee.....etc. a thesis can be a long drawn out and frustrating process. It requires A LOT of work, a lot of reading, data collection, data management, data analysis, writing writing rewriting throwing writing out starting over writing writing writing.....and depending on the bumps in the road that you encounter, you could experience a lot of frustration and time gaps. You might want to check out this thread () that discusses course work vs. a thesis..it has a lot of good advice on how completing a thesis will take you on a different post-masters path. Edit: In the end, don't pick the thesis because you think it's easier..because I promise you, it's not! (And you can still fail your thesis defence!)

o.m.g. LOOK AT THAT FACE!!!!! How adorable!!!! Edit: Thought I would post a few more of my baby!

I decided to google myself, and I found this...from 1996 when I was 11.....I didn't even know the internet existed back then! hahahaha! Name/Age/Gender:_______, 11, Girl E-Mail Address: ______ City: halifax/nova scotia/canada School: saint francis - 1. Who am I? my interests are swimming and riding my hobbies are doing puzzles and solving problems. my concerns are that everyone is happy - 2. What do I want to be when I grow up? i would like to be a cook or an interior designer - 3. How do I want the world to be better when I grow up? i think that when i grow up i would like it to go back to horse and wagon and not have so much pollution. i think we could improve our environment and people by cutting down less trees and respecting people - 4. What can I do now to make this happen? maybe instead of using cars, we can walk and use bicycles use more things that are recyclable don't use paper plates maybe not make fun of people if they look different - Submitted via the KIDLINK WWW - 96.04.13 00:03:18 GMT -

This is the BEST 'start your day off happy' thread!!!!!

Glad to hear it's working out!! And totally envious of your IKEA shopping!!That place is AMAZING!! It sounds like this is a great opportunity for you and your mom to make some wonderful memories! Good luck and enjoy the start of school!

I chuckled at this! My best friend is starting med school in 2 weeks....we already have joking banter about how will be the real doctor between us!!

I like to TA at night while watching minless TV (cue my reality TV addiction!)...also, I have noticed that occasionally I have treated myself to bevvies while I marked (it helps when reading 2nd year ug research proposals...)...have you every thought back about some of the comments/marks you got in UG from your TAs and questioned whether or not they might have been drunk?! hahaha I am like Chasely, I work best in the mornings...and then by 1/2pm I am at the point where I need a break...normally I'll get back to work around 5/6pm

This is a really interesting thread.... Back in undergrad about .....8 years ago...a professor - who did not have his PhD- told my class that he should be addressed as Prof. rather than Dr., and that in the future students should address all PhDs as Dr. and all teaching non-PhD's as Prof's. I've gone by this advice in most cases...but reading TakeruK's post, I have to rethink this...I always assumed Dr. was more 'uppity/respectful'(?) than Prof...but I think I may be completely wrong about that!

I was thinking about money and groceries today...and suddenly became so happy...the start of sept means that there will be tons of on campus BBQ for new students, department gatherings, and student societies....this also means that I can probably get free hotdogs and cola twice a day for a few weeks!! YAHOO!!!! i am proud to say that the environmental undergrad society (my department) has the best free food! It normally includes corncobs and lentil burgers!! sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!!! +1 point for sept's arrival!

A lot of students take time off between degrees...either to travel, work, or just get out of the school environment. I think you can phrase the gap in a way, as the poster above mentions, that doesn't comment on the specific negatives of why you left. Focus on phrasing it in a positive light, and that during this gap you learned about your true interests. You could say that you took time away from the academic setting to gain experience in research within an applied/working environment. You also took this time to explore other interests (e.g., travel) that have rekindled your true passion....frame it as an opportunity that you used to grow, gain knowledge, and solidify your choice in applying to grad school....if you explain the gap as a much needed adventure that has been beneficial too you, that is what the committee will see!

I don't know why you keep making it specifically about race... it's minorities in general. Gender, LGBTQ, ethnicity, age...there are many people who face stereotypes each day. The OP has come to a graduate student forum asking graduate students about their experiences and opinions- and my opinion is that she should not feel alone and should also be comforted by the fact that some of what she feels is what we all feel. The OP is not alone in feeling overwhelmed and anxious, many of us (regardless of our backgrounds, individual circumstances or environments) feel this way....these feelings are undoubtedly going to be amplified if you are facing additional pressures as a minority. People come on this forum all the time explaining a personal and individual situation/scenario and asking for advice and experience about how they are feeling. A lot of the time I haven't been in that situation, but I can relate on some level to how their feeling and choose to offer my advice and opinion on that in hopes that they are comforted by the fact that another person on some level is experiencing the same feelings/emotions they are going through. I do not believe I ever tried to discount, down play or reduce how the OP is feeling or their personal situation of being a minority. My only intention was to offer support and suggest that they are not alone in some of what they are experiencing. If you would like to manipulate and misconstrue my intentions, you can. But saying I am acting as if I am "colour blind" and suggesting that I am insulting racial and ethnic minorities is completely incorrect. That was not my intention nor how my post was delivered.

Love all these blogs!!! so awesome!!

Mmm...I think I am kind of in your boat. I think my relationship with my advisor is mostly what makes me feel uncomfortable about this. in the 4 years I have known him (through my MA and PhD) I've been to his house once for a lab function. I just wouldn't feel comfortable in that home, and being there for a long period. I think it's really nice to see the wide range of student/advisor relationships on here! I really allows one to get a great perspective. Edit: I always run out of thank you points before I even begin the day!

Depending on who's looking you up- this could go in your favour!!

I normally meet with my advisor 1 or times a month for 30 minutes face to face. I tend to prefer email communications with him (as it also serves as a record of our discussions!), but he is horrible at returned emails, and often the entire contents of his email is in the subject line. example: To: Dal PhDer From: Advisor Subject: CAN YOU SEND ME ARTICLES ON HEAT AND MORTALITY Message: *blank* I find he perferes the telephone over email. So often if we don't meet, we will have a chat over the phone. Other people who I work with (committee members, PIs on other projects), perfer to meet face-to-face. However, I do work with a large group of professors and physicians on a project, and nearly all of our communication is via email. This allows individuals to keep track of tasks, deadlines, and work. And if we do have a meeting, we have often used conference calling to reach the individuals. I think I am one of the few people who have not used skype in this setting. I think in the next few years, almost all meetings and phone conversations will be moved to skype! I am a bit scared of that, as I am certain if I was on skype at home this would happen: In general, if I don't get a response from my advisor via email that I need, I don't call- I drop into his office. I think email/phone/face-to-face might also be dependent on the person too. I know some professors don't like dropins and perfer email communication only.

Can I come tooooo!!!!!!!? This sounds wonderful!!

I said outright that I do not know how it feels to be a minority and/or the pressures that come along with it. My point is that I think most- if not all - grad students feel they have to live up to above standard expectations, and they are always striving to impress and prove that they are qualified and competent enough to be where they are. Whether or not these are in comparison to what the OP and/or students of minorities are feeling I do not know...but I do believe that regardless of race, sex, income, age, sexuality, , weight, single parents, physicially and/or mentally impaired... grad students are prone to feeling they need to prove themselves- regardless of the 'stereotypes [that] have been foisted' on them. Also, I would like to point out that I think every grad student should "find a good balance between your own expectations and goals for yourself and what may be forced upon you by your environment"..

I guess I jumped the gun a bit and never thought that he might be thinking it's a win/win situation! I went with ktel's suggestion about not wanting to leave my cat alone for that long- hey if he doesn't want to leave his alone, why should I leave my cute little terror alone?! I did offer to go out every other day to check in on them and the house...I think that's a nice offer, and makes me feel not so guilty about saying no. I had contemplated answering: "Is it ok if my boyfriend stays too? He just got out of jail and we haven't seen eachother for 4 months and he really needs a place to stay" ...I figured that would get a no right away! haha I think it might just be a bit of my wilty personality that I hate saying no without a really good reason, especially to my boss.

Ok...so the topic of this thread is much more interesting and sultry sounding than it actually is. I have recently been asked by my supervisor to house-sit for him for two weeks. He asked me today to begin house sitting for him on Thursday. He has asked me before and I have managed to have another commitment then...but I remembered what it entails. He expects me to move in, take care of his two cats, water the plants and he'll give me $50/week for groceries. Now...I don't mind house sitting, but I have my own cat and my own place (closer to campus than his), I don't have a car- so getting anywhere requires busing...and I don't really want to have the responsibility of something going wrong in his house! With my luck there will be a flash flood that sweeps away half his house. Have other students been asked to do these kinds of favours (e.g., babysitting, house sitting) by their advisors? Did you feel that you had to say yes to them? Have you said no? Can I just say, "nah...no thanks" or should I have a decent reason why I don't want too? Could I pretend that he sent the email to the wrong email address and I never got it? haha PS: If you would rather talk about other 'favours' your advisor has asked for, you can....

this is scary....go thing there's another one of me that is a hardcore real professional and looks excellent on paper!

BWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Hi there, I have not been in a situation where I have felt like a minority, so I can comment on that...but I can say that 99% of graduate students feel that they have to work harder than the next person to re-enforce that they are a competent student. I think graduate students always feel they have to meet some unknown bar that is set especially high just for them, and that they have the responsibility to themselves, their department and advisor to meet an unrealistic goal. I think that's just who we are. I hope others can offer more advice to your specific question about being a minority...but I think you should feel a bit comforted that these feelings you have might be due to the fact that you're just a grad student, and we all have those feelings.