The PhD Manual

The everyday struggles of a doctoral student hoping to save the world with the extensive knowledge of what is considered to be useless knowledge. This will hopefully inform aspiring Drs. (but not THAT kind of doctor) regarding the truth of being a graduate student. Be brave and write on.

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Graduate Training Sessions

While I appreciate the efforts to educate us. Does it really need to be 25 hours?! I would like to have a life, you know... 

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Conference Fees

Why can't there be discounts for presenters at conference?! Thank goodness for a supervisor who has money and can reimburse me. 

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Smarter than a 6th grader

My supervisor has now established that I'm better at reading comprehension than a 6th grader. Thank goodness! 

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Work>Food

You know it's busy when even free snacks and coffee can't budge you from your work. 

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Endless Readings

Just spent 1.5 hours of my morning reading 4 pages...

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Bare Minimum + a bit more

Supervisor said to write 6-15 single-spaced pages. So...I'll write 7 single-spaced pages. 

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Academic Child

My friend is stressing about buying a house and putting in an offer while my worries are just about an upcoming paper that's due. 

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Worst Nightmare

NOTHING IS SIGNIFICANT! 

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9-5? No way.

A PhD is not 9-5. Some days just don't end even after you leave the lab. So make the decision right now to close your computer and enjoy time as a human! Good night.

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PhD work week

THREE DAY WORK WEEK! Monday and Friday off. Best week. 

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Grant Proposal DONE!

After a full month and a half of writing and editing, my first federal grant application has been completed! First graduate milestone completed! 

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Monday Productivity

Two hours in the office but no work has been done. 

Mondays. 

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Balance

Always remember to find time for friends. Your research or work may be important, but it's useless if there's no one to share the joy with! 

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Rest

When you have a moment to relax, just rest. Don't think about school. You'll figure something out tomorrow. 

Rest time. 

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Grant Proposals

Two pages of rambling about how you want to save the world in the most insignificant manner, and you want thousands of dollars to accomplish something you probably won't even attempt. 

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Work hard, get money!

September and October will be your busiest months. Push through it and perhaps the highest paying outcome will result.

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Organization!!

Have a good system of organization.  Juggling courses, lab meetings, readings, external projects, grant writing, and oh, personal life. 

Find a system for you to manage all the necessary details that includes events, to do lists, and note-taking.