The summer before grad school

[screamorange]

Hey guys! I recently got accepted in University of Guelph's Capacity Development program. I just wanted to get some suggestions as to what I can do this summer before I start school (September 2012) ? Also, this program is "self funded", so would I be able to apply to RA or TA positions? When should I begin applying?

Thanks.

[Hank Scorpio]

I'm going a little crazy trying to pass the time until September. So, I plan on using this time to build a time machine of sorts to send me forward to the fall. Even if I spend my entire summer building it, and it doesn't work, it will still do what it was intended for.

[Nerd_For_Life]

Do you have a supervisor? I would talk to them about applying for positions. Most won't be posted until July/August when they start finalizing what the fall courses are going to look like. Also if there is a grad supervisor for the department that you are in they would also be a good person to talk to about RA/TA positions. Further, if there are any profs that you know are researching something that you are interested in, you could contact them.

As for passing the time...........yup. Slow it does go.

[ktel]

I did a summer research project at my undergrad university during the summer before grad school. Super great way to get a head start on all the new things I would need to know. I just happened upon the TA application on my department's website, they did not e-mail us to let us know, so it's good to ask beforehand.

[emmm]

I would suggest looking into TA/RA positions sooner rather than later. At least let your interest be known.

[Bimmerman]

I would suggest looking into TA/RA positions sooner rather than later. At least let your interest be known.

This, otherwise you'll be surrounded by similar students in the fall, all clamoring for a position.

I'd suggest getting a part time job/continuing a job, more money now is one less thing to stress about.

Alternatively, travel, pick up a new hobby, be creative. Do something in the summer that you won't get a chance to do during grad school, i.e. anythign that takes a lot of time/energy/money. I worked and went racing for my summer before grad school started, and it's been a treasured memory while staring at computer monitors until 4am.

[ANDS!]

I spent weeks looking for a job, but recently have decided "Screw it. . .I'm going to just veg out the next couple of months." Moving in with family, and will probably find a place to volunteer or maybe take a prepatory class.

[isawstars]

I'm working at a chocolate store, volunteering at an animal shelter and spending as much time with family and friends as possible!!!

[TakeruK]

U of Guelph TAs are unionized (part of CUPE -- Canadian Union of Public Employees), I think. So you should try to find out (either from the department staff or union website) if there are any rules about hiring TAs. For example, at my school (Queen's University), we are a part of PSAC (Public Service Alliance of Canada) and our Collective Agreement requires the school to hire TAs according to a list of preferences. The jobs first go to *qualified internal students* who were guaranteed a TA position as part of their offer, then to internal students who either ran out of funding years or were not promised a position, then to external (outside of department) students.

I know you said your whole program is self-funded, which I think means that no one in your program was promised a TA position. However if your degree program is not its own department, then other students in the department may have priority for TA and/or RA positions. Also, if your department does not offer courses that require TAs and you want to try to TA in a different department, their own students may have priority. I don't know how Guelph's Collective Agreement works, or how your department works, but I just want to point this out because it might be a good idea to ask about this soon so you know your chances at TAing!!

As for my summers before grad school -- 2 years ago, before starting my MSc, I worked part-time (20 hrs/week) with my undergrad thesis advisor in May-June while spending the rest of my time doing things in my hometown that I didn't get to do (or wanted to do one more time before moving) and hanging out with my friends. In July, my girlfriend (now wife) and I drove across Canada in a combined vacation-move to my MSc school location. In August, we arrived and spent the month setting up our apartment, getting used to the town, etc. This summer, before my PhD in the fall, I plan to finish writing and defending my MSc thesis and then move again!

[uncreativename]

I've been attempting to look for jobs as well -- nothing full time but just something to keep me occupied until I move. I've come to the realization though that a job is stretch and it will soon be June and moving in the middle of August -- people won't be too likely to hire me.

So now I'm just hoping to pass my time by doing some travelling and other things that I know I won't be able to do once I move to Canada -- plus I'll be going back and forth to Canada starting to settle some important things.

One problem with no job is the money though. Guess I'll be surviving off of my graduation money.

[bdexicon]

I contacted a PI at my new grad school and asked if there was any room in his lab for a funded summer research rotation. I'm moving there on Friday and start on Monday.

[Dal PhDer]

bdexicon suggestion is excellent. This is what I would do. My suggestion is to talk to your professor and let them know you will be looking for work for next semester and during the summer. Most profs want to be kept inside the loop when it comes to TA and RA'ships. Also, a lot of them may have opportunities available / planned for their students. Being straight up about your desire and motivation to work will let you know if they have a TA/RA opportunity for you, or if they can suggest who you go to. Another place to start is your department coordinator/admin- they often know of what will be available and what needs funding. I am in touch with several departments at my university and they will contact me if they need something filled. If you show interest early, you are more likely to get a course that suits you.

I would suggest trying to find an RAship at your new school. Talk to your supervisor and ask them if they have any data/papers/etc that they are looking for help with. The summer before I started my MA I volunteered 10hrs/wk in my supervisor's lab doing data analysis/collection/etc. In Sept it turned into a full paid RAship!

Show motivation/desire/spunk, and you would be surprised at what you can find out there!

[MaxiJaz]

I'm starting my masters in September but my supervisor expects me to start applying for grants and external funding as soon as possible so I'm already conducting a literature review so as to come up with a suitable research question. I don't mind getting to work early as I find my area of research to be interesting. It helps that we've already scheduled a few face to face meetings this summer before classes start and soon I'll be off getting some research-related training...so busy busy

If you're in a research stream, I recommend reading up on your field or figuring out a direction in which you can take before classes start or if you need any sort of training, to get it done this summer.

[Dal PhDer]

I'm starting my masters in September but my supervisor expects me to start applying for grants and external funding as soon as possible so I'm already conducting a literature review so as to come up with a suitable research question. I don't mind getting to work early as I find my area of research to be interesting. It helps that we've already scheduled a few face to face meetings this summer before classes start and soon I'll be off getting some research-related training...so busy busy

This is really great advice and a smart decision! Making grant/scholarship applications and searches part of your regular routine is important!!

[ohkristentree]

Good job to everyone who got in! : )

I'm spending the summer as a teacher at a large museum here in Seattle, with a couple of weeks off to backpack/volunteer in North Cascades NP. Is anyone else teaching this summer, instead of researching and/or taking it easy? I was pretty fortunate to find a temporary position that ended in the middle of August; though I'm sure plenty of eyebrows will be raised at a mid-twenties someone still working a summer job!

As I am going into a Learning Sciences Ph.D program in the fall, with a focus on museum education, this is a good opportunity for me to sharpen my blade, of sorts. The only thing I'm a little nervous about is how much time I'm giving myself for the drive across the country (I'm moving from WA to IL). Is anyone else doing a long road trip, and how much time are you giving yourselves?

[Usmivka]

okristentree, try not to fall off off the planet when you get to Illinois. There are no mountains to hold onto.

[screamorange]

Thank you so much everyone! I really appreciate you guys taking the time to answer my question All of you have provided me with some great advice! I will definitely keep these suggestions in mind.

[screamorange]

I'm going a little crazy trying to pass the time until September. So, I plan on using this time to build a time machine of sorts to send me forward to the fall. Even if I spend my entire summer building it, and it doesn't work, it will still do what it was intended for.

lol, love it!

[aberrant]

While almost everyone that I know would suggest me to do summer research, because I'm an international student so I decided to "skip" the summer research. The fact that I'm expecting not to return to my home country for the next 4-5 years bought me a ticket to going back home for a month. I'll go back to the U.S. about a month before the program begins, and relocate to the new school that is +2000 miles from my alma mater.

So it depends. Like everyone says, you may want to talk to professors in the department that may potentially fund you as a RA, or your home/other departments at the new school as a TA.

[rockandroll]

I'm going to be traveling, spending time with friends and family, and doing all of the other things that I'm not expecting to have much time for come September. I'm starting a one year master's program in the fall, so I'll need to have my thesis pretty well under way considering that I'm going to have to start applying to Ph.D. programs before too long! So I'm solidifying my list of programs to apply to (other than the one that I'm starting this year- admission isn't guaranteed for continuing students) and doing research for my thesis.

[prettyuff1]

I contacted a PI at my new grad school and asked if there was any room in his lab for a funded summer research rotation. I'm moving there on Friday and start on Monday.

This is what I'm doing. I was able to secure one with a PI I was interested in. I met with her right after I was admitted.

If I didn't have that, I'd be working in a lab over the summer.

[TropicalCharlie]

I'm taking an online course through the same school that I'll be attending in the fall. Other than that, I plan to spend most of my days at the beach and learn to surf.

[imonedaful]

I just recently went online and looked a few old Syllabi for courses I am going to take (it was hard to find much of anything). One of the classes is fairly intense in reading literature pertaining to my field. I decided to order some of the books on the list and maybe get a jump start. Even if the books are different for the class this year, it wouldn't hurt to have extra material especially while I can afford. Other than that, I am counting down the days until I am done with work! I am working two jobs, saving up a good chunk of money so I don't have to stretch my assistantship money too thin once I start. I created a bucket list of places I would like to visit in the city I currently live in until I move away for school. And I am selling everything on Ebay I don't want to take with me!

[quantitative]

I'm visiting friends, spending time with family and backpacking Europe! This is my last summer of freedom as my program is year round for the next 5 years... Please enjoy your summers guys!

[MyNamesNotRick]

I just recently went online and looked a few old Syllabi for courses I am going to take (it was hard to find much of anything). One of the classes is fairly intense in reading literature pertaining to my field. I decided to order some of the books on the list and maybe get a jump start. Even if the books are different for the class this year, it wouldn't hurt to have extra material especially while I can afford. Other than that, I am counting down the days until I am done with work! I am working two jobs, saving up a good chunk of money so I don't have to stretch my assistantship money too thin once I start. I created a bucket list of places I would like to visit in the city I currently live in until I move away for school. And I am selling everything on Ebay I don't want to take with me!

This.

I have about 50 journal articles and about 10 books or so that I will be wading through this summer.

Thankfully, it's all information I want to read so hopefully you have the same expereince.