The Summer Before It All...

[psychMOC]

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I've scanned through SDN regarding this topic and have thoroughly considered the advice to enjoy and relax prior to the start of a graduate program BUT....

any articles or literature out there to help maybe stimulate some ideas or planning to take full advantage of such an opportunity? not so a much a survival guide, but some guidance of how to navigate through the wealth of resources (information at least) regarding networking opportunities, professional affiliations, internship/research planning etc.

I'm assuming any solid program will provide the necessary guidance along the way, but i cannot help to think to myself at this point, that I have gotten this far and I want to do everything and anything to do it right. 👍

 

[roubs]

but i cannot help to think to myself at this point, that I have gotten this far and I want to do everything and anything to do it right. 👍

I'm not trying to sound harsh but maybe the most important thing you can do is let go of this unrealistic standard. IMO that is the subtext in all the advice to relax. Ultimately I see grad students who adhere to things like this having a much rougher time. The transition into a program is a shift from near obsessive focus on an event (admission) to a process, (grad school). I don't think the feeling that you need to do everything/anything to "get it right" is helpful when considering success in a long-term endeavor like grad school. But obviously it works well when you are trying to get admitted.

 

[psychMOC]

I'm not trying to sound harsh but maybe the most important thing you can do is let go of this unrealistic standard. IMO that is the subtext in all the advice to relax. Ultimately I see grad students who adhere to things like this having a much rougher time. The transition into a program is a shift from near obsessive focus on an event (admission) to a process, (grad school). I don't think the feeling that you need to do everything/anything to "get it right" is helpful when considering success in a long-term endeavor like grad school. But obviously it works well when you are trying to get admitted.

Thanks, I understand your point. I suppose this may be stemming from feelings regarding things I neglected to do/could have done better as an undergrad and/or through the application process. I may not have been admitted to my "top choice" for graduate school, however I certainly can learn from my mistakes and build upon some skills so I can attain future goals (e.g. internship). The problem with my post is then that I am the only one with the hindsight and capability of reflection as to what personal areas I need to work on (e.g. time management).

I do like your point that am I now transitioning to a process, and that an obsession will be counterproductive and most likely only produce anxiety.

So, rather, if I deflate the big picture and focus on the smaller pieces what do you suggest (if anything) may be helpful in the months leading up to my first semester. I imagine this will be the time period requiring the biggest adjustment (including an out-of-state move, and transition back into "school mode" from an almost 2 year post-M.A. degree hiatus).

 

[roubs]

Thanks, I understand your point. I suppose this may be stemming from feelings regarding things I neglected to do/could have done better as an undergrad and/or through the application process. I may not have been admitted to my "top choice" for graduate school, however I certainly can learn from my mistakes and build upon some skills so I can attain future goals (e.g. internship). The problem with my post is then that I am the only one with the hindsight and capability of reflection as to what personal areas I need to work on (e.g. time management).

I do like your point that am I now transitioning to a process, and that an obsession will be counterproductive and most likely only produce anxiety.

So, rather, if I deflate the big picture and focus on the smaller pieces what do you suggest (if anything) may be helpful in the months leading up to my first semester. I imagine this will be the time period requiring the biggest adjustment (including an out-of-state move, and transition back into "school mode" from an almost 2 year post-M.A. degree hiatus).

If you're moving out of state I'd say an important thing would be to establish some activities/social connections that are outside of grad school. Many people say these things help keep them sane 🙂

 

[Pragma]

There will always be something else you +could+ be doing, and that will ultimately be what you have to figure out in grad school. You can drive yourself crazy if you take on too much. Learn how to savor times when you can relax to keep you prepared for when you can't!

 

[wigflip]

There will always be something else you +could+ be doing, and that will ultimately be what you have to figure out in grad school. You can drive yourself crazy if you take on too much. Learn how to savor times when you can relax to keep you prepared for when you can't!

And, depending on the culture of your program, you may get this message (bolded portion) in a number of ways from peers and mentors. But I've found making space to "be human" is essential for survival. And learning how to say "no," ("No, I won't reply to your email at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday night," "No, I won't edit our paper on Thanksgiving Day," etc.).

 

[paramour]

And, depending on the culture of your program, you may get this message (bolded portion) in a number of ways from peers and mentors. But I've found making space to "be human" is essential for survival. And learning how to say "no," ("No, I won't reply to your email at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday night," "No, I won't edit our paper on Thanksgiving Day," etc.).

For the love of all that's holy, PLEASE learn how not to respond to emails in the wee hours of the night/morning. DO NOT DO IT. Repeat after me. JUST. SAY. NO.

I don't care if it's your faculty advisor, your chairperson, or your DCT. You do NOT respond.

M'kay?

NO.

You need to learn it. To embrace it. And to cherish it. The sooner, the better.

 

[dumbledoresgirl]

For the love of all that's holy, PLEASE learn how not to respond to emails in the wee hours of the night/morning. DO NOT DO IT. Repeat after me. JUST. SAY. NO.

I don't care if it's your faculty advisor, your chairperson, or your DCT. You do NOT respond.

M'kay?

NO.

You need to learn it. To embrace it. And to cherish it. The sooner, the better.

👍 I'll get on that. Right now, all e-mails go to my phone...and it takes a whole lot of non-extant self-control not to reply right away 😳

 

[paramour]

👍 I'll get on that. Right now, all e-mails go to my phone...and it takes a whole lot of non-extant self-control not to reply right away 😳

Hell, my advisor was texting me (in addition to the emails that were being sent to my phone ). It took me 3-4 years to figure out the NO thing. Much too late by that point.

Is it bad when your advisor is the ONLY person who texts you? 😳