Advisor wants me to start in the summer

[psychdude5469]

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I officially accepted to a clinical PhD program a few days ago. When I talked to my advisor he had said that he would like for me to get started over the summer. He said it wasn't mandatory of course but that most of his previous students had done this. I'm undecided if this is something that I want to do. On one hand, I'm very excited to get started and I would like to get a jump on things: get to know my advisor, get to know the people and places I will be working, start reviewing what needs to be reviewed, etc. On the other hand, I would like to spend this last remaining time with family and friends. My girlfriend will be coming with me and she would like to spend this time with her family and friends as well. Maybe we can move halfway through the summer, as a compromise. What do you think? What do you see as the pros and cons in this situation?

 

[RayneeDeigh]

Take the summer off! Trust me, you're about to have the hardest several years of your life, you need a good summer to think about with fond memories. I say start in August.

 

[MaddieMay]

Are you graduating from a BS or MS program this spring, as in, you've had no time off since freshman year of college (aside from summers?)

 

[psybee]

if you will have june, july and august off, i'd say move in august -- you'll have an extra month or so to get settled (not just in your lab, but apt. and new area, too) and in the mean time get articles and review materials from your prof to read. that way you can jump in pretty quickly, but still get a good amount of family time.

 

[psychdude5469]

Are you graduating from a BS or MS program this spring, as in, you've had no time off since freshman year of college (aside from summers?)

I'll be coming straight from undergrad.

 

[JockNerd]

Are you funded? Would that funding start early, if you do? If not, I wouldn't even think about moving early (though I'd definitely do any reading or look at any data the prof wanted me to).

I seriously doubt that "most" of the prof's students moved early if they don't start getting funded early too.

 

[psychdude5469]

Are you funded? Would that funding start early, if you do? If not, I wouldn't even think about moving early (though I'd definitely do any reading or look at any data the prof wanted me to).

I seriously doubt that "most" of the prof's students moved early if they don't start getting funded early too.

He said that there would be funding available.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I'd probably split the difference so I could spend some time with my family and friends, while also moving down and hopefully easing into the swing of things (and not have to worry about classes right away).

 

[Ollie123]

Splitting the difference seems a reasonable compromise. If nothing else, it will give you additional time to learn your way around. Plus it can help to be already integrated into your lab by the time classes start - there's enough to "adjust" to as is starting grad school, might as well space it out so it doesn't nail you.

Another alternative might be to volunteer to do some work from where you are now in the mean time. Ask for copies of current grants, see what studies he plans to have you work on and maybe get the protocols to read up on, things like that. You can proofread things, poke around in a dataset he may have you working on, etc.

 

[amy203]

I started in my lab about midway through the summer (I think mid-July), and I felt like it gave me a pretty big advantage once the school year started. It allowed me to get settled in with my research, so I was able to stick with it once classes began. Just like Ollie said, it helps with the adjustment process.

 

[lucyguard]

I would definitely get started early. Many students in the lab I volunteer at start early as well. I wouldn't give up my whole summer but I dont think that getting started in late July/early August would be an advantage. You get to know the area and get settled in your new place so you don't have to worry about getting lost and figuring stuff out when school starts. As far as lab goes you will know what's going on once classes begin so it will be one fewer thing to figure out and adjust to. I'd say go for it, especially if you get funding.

 

[lucyguard]

I would definitely get started early. Many students in the lab I volunteer at start early as well. I wouldn't give up my whole summer but I dont think that getting started in late July/early August would be an advantage. You get to know the area and get settled in your new place so you don't have to worry about getting lost and figuring stuff out when school starts. As far as lab goes you will know what's going on once classes begin so it will be one fewer thing to figure out and adjust to. I'd say go for it, especially if you get funding.