gradLife
This time last year, I was a newly-minted PhD, still revising my dissertation. I had just accepted my job at Briggs, and I was preparing for a conference, a vacation, and a new routine. I don't remember much of my defense. My parents came to see it, even
gradLife
I defended my thesis in April, and turned in my dissertation at the end of May, but I haven't left my grad lab yet. Here's what I've been up to, and what's coming up next. Wrapping up First I'm wrapping
reflection
I saw this article by Adam Ruben make the rounds on Twitter a few days ago. Then I saw the article spreading on Facebook, with friends from grad school saying things like "So true!" and "That's totally me!" so I took a look. He
gradLife
Good morning. How are you? I'm Dr. Worm Haas. I'm interested in things. As of today, I've officially completed all the requirements for my PhD. So I'm not a real worm, but I am a real doctor.1 Dr. Worm has been
gradLife
Hello Internet, I've missed you. I feel like I've been on leave for the last month, traveling to far off places in Thesisland. Or perhaps I've been asleep (thesis coma?), since I have not been terribly aware of the outer world (i.e. anything
reflection
My in-laws came for a visit last weekend. We usually see them every 4-6 weeks, but thanks to various winter storms, it had been more than two months since our last visit together. When they come out to see us, we often spend Saturday at our house and Sunday morning
education
Today I had (most of) my pre-defense data meeting.1 My committee has declared me ready to write my thesis, and on track for graduation by or before August of next year. I'd like to be done by May, but that means t's crossed, i'
gradLife
Yesterday a dear grad school friend asked me for some feedback on some writing. I marked typos and left comments, asked questions and all of the usual editing stuff. And I wrote her a note about her composition, trying to find the right words to say that the writing was
satire
Dear Science Faculty of Research Universities, I believe we can all agree on the importance of learning by experience. The proverb widely attributed to Confucius says it concisely: "What I hear I forget, what I see I remember, what I do I understand." In this excellent spirit of