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Grad Student PerspectiveMichael Gollner
All images respectfully borrowed from phdcomics.com, much thanks to Jorge Cham for creating them all.
The Essentials of Life at UCSD
• Coffee– Best coffee* is right next door – near “The Bear” (CUPS)– Late night coffee can be found at Earl’s place in Warren College or
Sunshine Market
• Parking at UCSD– Don’t do it! (if you can avoid it)– Bike (UCSD Pedal Club) or Bus (routes are online)
• Parking/Driving/Biking Rules– Obey them – they love to give tickets
– Stop at stop signs, don’t wear headphones, etc…– Be careful! Cars don’t look for pedestrians or cyclists**
* In my personal opinion** In my personal EXPERIENCE
The Essentials of Grad School
Where to Study?Office – good if you’re given one (Mostly PhD Students)Lab – Good luckCoffee Shop – My favoriteHome – Try to separate work and home life… But I haven’t succeeded
yet.Library – It used to be open late, but great place to work with a group.
Computer Help?For Research/Lab needs: maehelp.ucsd.edu – submit a requestFor everything else, ACS (acs.ucsd.edu) has a help deskProtected wireless is a pain for everyone…Ask lab/department for printing access if available…
The Essentials of Grad School
• Relaxing, Having Fun, Having a life?• Sport Clubs, outback adventures, etc. • Most clubs/opportunities open to grads too• Also many great resources – Career center, Center for
Teaching Development, etc.
Do we really have to take an Exam?
• YES– Department Qualifying Exam – PhD– Masters Exit Exam– Or Defend Masters Thesis
• Masters Comp. & PhD DQE Exam Advice– Choose professors who taught your courses on the subjects you know
well – not who you think might be easiest! (you can be surprised)– Ask what they want you to know for the exam
Don’t forget to take care of yourself while studying!(eat/sleep/exercise)… you will pay for it later if you don’t
Masters Degree Advice
• 1 year Coursework/Comp. Exam Masters– Best option if your goal is to leave with a masters
• 1-2 year Thesis Masters– Best if you are undecided about doing a PhD– It is better to spend 1 year sampling a life of
scientific research and leave for a job then spend 4-7 years miserable in a PhD program.
• Switching from Masters to PhD– Sometimes happens, usually doesn’t
PhD
Choosing an Advisor
• Picking an adviser– What is the research field YOU are interested, what are
your potential advisers – do they match?– Ask Around– READ some of your adviser’s previous work BEFORE talking
to them. Professors are busy, prove to them that you have worked hard first and will work hard with them.
Must-Have Tools
• Librarians – by email ([email protected]) or in person – very helpful and can find things that you can’t.
• Avanti – Free article delivery from the library (libraries.ucsd.edu)
Research and Writing
Research is an iterative process. Expect ups and downs, but if you keep at it you will get there!One of the most important skills you will learn is WRITING!Use LaTeX and…
PRACTICEPRACTICEPRACTICE
LaTeX is most important if you want to write a THESIS!
Teaching
• Very rewarding and very time consuming• It is VERY HARD to get a TA position now. • If you’re looking for a position, the best way is to do well in
professor’s courses or work with them• Talking to professors you do not know in advance of
applications won’t help much.(Still apply too!)• Ask past TA’s for help on how to be more productive!
Should you apply for fellowships?
• YES!• NSF GRFP, NDSEG, DOE, SMART, etc.• http://graduatefunding.ucsd.edu/
Grades or Research?
• Maintain a decent GPA but realize research is what really matters.
Organize your research!!!!
• I’ve lost days/weeks of time looking for things• Organize papers, data, and everything else!• Dropbox, Mendeley, Again
Do you get a vacation?
• Yes/no/kind of?• Always talk to your adviser, everyone’s rules
are different– Just don’t assume you do or don’t.– Most value the work you produce, not the number
of hours you’re in the lab/office.
Learn Time Management Skills
• David Allen’s “Getting Things Done”• Google Tasks, Remember the Milk, etc.
California Issues
Final Words of Advice
• Keep your motivation high– Don’t overwork, pursue things that interest you
• Don’t be afraid to find your own path– Again, pursue things that interest you (within reason and with the
advisor’s approval)
• Protect your time– Outreach, teaching and other projects are a necessity for academia,
but should never be the majority of your time, that’s for research.
We all go through this at some
point!
When to Finish?
• Know when to “pull the plug” and publish and/or graduate
• Keep communicating with your adviser. Don’t hide if you’re stuck. They might be able to help!
