This week I heard a about a new term called the Say-Do ratio. It’s something everyone has. However, you probably don’t know your own, and everyone you work with probably sees your ratio slightly different. What is it? It’s the mental ratio we start assigning to people based on how often they say they’re going…
I’ve decided that graduating (but not) puts you into this weird stage. At this point, I’m done all the requirements needed in order to graduate, and the online system tells me “graduation: expected.” But, I’m still a student, or at least sort of. I’m getting paid (yay) until the end of this month, so not…
I have heard people describe a PhD as climbing a mountain (usually Mount Everest). The comparison was first explained in terms of “you don’t do a PhD for any other reason than to show that you can, the same reason people climb Everest.” However, as I look back over my PhD, now that it’s pretty…
[Updated to add: Woohoo – got the official confirmation that it’s accepted. One more hurdle done.] And I’m almost there. So close. I’m just waiting for the official “okay” on my thesis from the university (they have to check it for formatting). Fingers crossed I get it this morning and then pretty much everything will…
One of the hardest parts of the revisions so far, is that the committee isn’t always in agreement. And some of the changes one wants, don’t match up with changes another wants. I’m lucky, in that my supervisor is the only one who has to do a final pass of it, as the others have…
So many revisions. I’m making progress, although it doesn’t always feel that way. And this week is rushing by so fast. So much to do, no where near enough time. And, of course, because there’s so much to do, it’s hard staying focused on the task at hand and using my time as wisely as…
Wow, does it ever feel good to write that. It’ll feel even better, way way better, once I can also say that everything is submitted and signed off on. Okay, so how did it go? Well, nerve wracking. I could barely eat for the morning (even though I kept telling myself it was okay). I…
I don’t mean to be falling behind on posts, but the last couple of weeks have been passing by in a blur. I defend my PhD tomorrow (Friday – eek) and have been focused on getting ready for that, while also dealing with pressing startup issues. I doubt I’ll post tomorrow, but I will be…
I was actually going to post a picture showing my (mostly healed) finger. But, when they pulled them out (which hurt – and when I looked up “does getting stitches removed hurt” all the sites said ‘no’) my finger started bleeding (just a super tiny bit) where the thread was going through. And so they…
The defense is fast approaching. So fast that I’m finally starting to hit that “panic” period as I realize I really really need my seminar done yesterday so I can start practicing. Also, as I’ve been working on it (so slowly with this stupid finger injury), I’ve been referencing my thesis and I keep finding…
Surviving Grad School 