So tired...

Rory's cohort members weren't much help when Rory dozed off in class and the professor took a photo and Tweeted it out into the world.

"Thanks future colleagues!" Rory said. Or would have said if it weren't for that sleep thing.

Shhh.

Sometimes Rory talks too much in class. Rory doesn't leave space for other people to share their thoughts, ideas, and questions. Rory needs to speak less and listen more. 

Also, Rory needs to quit bringing a megaphone to class. 

Impostor

Rory hates it when they are the only one who doesn't know the answer to the question in class. Rory thinks, "Maybe grad school isn't for me. Maybe everyone else is smarter than I am. They are going to figure out I don't know what I'm doing. What am I going to do if they ask me to leave the program? What will my parents say? I can't move back there because my room is now a craft nook and the basement is where my grandma stores her pickled beets. I don't think I belong here."

Rory, don't worry. What you're feeling is typical. However, just because it's a commonly shared experience doesn't mean it feels good. What you're feeling is called "Impostor Syndrome." It's real. Everyone else experiences it sometimes, too.

Keep working at it, Rory. You're probably doing better than you think. And don't be afraid to ask for help.

Also, exactly how many beets does your grandma pickle?!

Power

Faculty members are magic and can make wishes come true. They can share new wisdom and insights with you. They can encourage you to share your own wisdom and insights. They can open doors and sometimes push your through them into new, uncomfortable learning spaces. They can give good grades to you when you write the paper at the last minute. 

But maybe the most important power of all is that faculty members can cancel class. 

(pause)

But I don't think that's really the most important power of all. Actually, I hope not many faculty members become faculty members for the power. That would be kinda messed up. 

Clearly they become faculty members because of the fashion culture embedded in that profession. I mean because of the students. 

Hey, Look!

Rory was getting ready to write that homework assignment. Gathered up everything that was needed. 

"I'm just going to check Facebook for a second."

Four and a half hours later, it was Rory's bedtime.

Rory needs to learn that homework is more urgent than a cute baby otter riding on a roomba while wearing a tutu with "Born to be Wild" playing in the background. 

Time is a limited resource, Rory.

Also, I don't think you should do that to a baby otter.

Gradlife Balance

This is Parker. Parker volunteers for everything. Parker always offers to be the note-taker in groups. Parker agreed to coordinate all the social, academic, and personal development activities for the cohort this year. Parker is the leader of 19 grad student organizations. 

Parker hasn't thought ahead through the semester - hasn't looked at how these obligations line up with their assistantship or coursework. 

That may have been a mistake, Parker.

A few things you can learn from this:

1. I don't know if work/life balance exists. I particularly don't know if work/gradlife balance exists. That said, it's better to choose a few things at which you can excel than to try and do everything.
2. Self care is important.
3. The art of saying no is one of the most important things any of us can learn.

Would you mind writing down that advice and developing a web site to share it with everyone, Parker? Thanks.

Week One

Rory is so excited for the first day of grad school. Got the books. Got the computer ready. Day one outfit all ready to go. It's going to be a great year.

Then Rory thought about the best way to make a great first impression. "Maybe," Rory thought, "I should wear sunglasses on the first day of class."

"And maybe," Rory thought some more, "I should sit on the desk when the professor comes in. That way the professor will know I'm relaxed and cool and ready to learn."

(Pause)

No, Rory. Don't do that. 

Trust me.