You are the only person in your graduate program who doesn’t understand how things work.
That might be what you observe. That might be how you feel. But it isn’t true.
Academic culture is riddled with those who bluff when they don’t know something. Acting confident and competent even when you don’t feel that way can be a useful strategy on some occasions. But not all of the time. It is also important to share your questions and confess your doubts. Continue reading
Grad school is hard. That’s a fact. This is one of the most difficult challenges you will ever attempt, especially if you are in a PhD program.
Many grad students find themselves assailed by doubt and plagued by feelings of anxiety.
“I am not sure that I can do this.”
“Everyone else knows what is going on, except for me.”
“Everyone is smarter than me.”
These are a few of the thoughts and feelings that many grad students have. And they don’t just live in your head, ideas that you can address rationally. No, these beliefs are lodged deep in your heart, your gut, your soul. They just seem true. But they are not.
Welcome to Grad | Logic. A blog about graduate education. And life. I have been thinking about graduate education for over twenty years. Actually, if you read the About page, it is closer to 25 years. I have a lot of advice and opinions about graduate education. I have a particular affinity for doctoral students, since I have been researching and writing about doctoral education since I wrote my dissertation.
Helping doctoral students to thrive while they are students, and helping them make successful transitions into their professional lives. That motivates this blog. Blog posts will feature strategies for success that I have seen work. Reviews of books relevant to graduate students are likely to pop up. READ MORE