One Tidbit From Two Months Of Grad School | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

One Tidbit From Two Months Of Grad School

There's a lot of really awesome science and research out there.

104
One Tidbit From Two Months Of Grad School
SVA BioArt Lab

Grad school is a huge undertaking. Just think about committing several years, the better part of a decade, to concentrating on a specific field and delving deeper and deeper into it. People say that you will learn whether or not you like research, whether or not you are willing to commit your career to it. People say that you will learn about yourself, how you handle pressure and deadlines and failure and the constant grind of working in a lab. Depending on who you talk to, you may get a positive or negative view of graduate school. There are popular comics about the trials of grad school life:

These comics probably have a grain of truth, and they can also be pretty funny. As a new biology graduate student, most of my knowledge comes from other biology graduate students. But beyond all of that, there is one thing that I've already discovered, a piece of advice that is essential to keep in mind when in graduate school, especially in the beginning but throughout:

Keep an open mind.

Many new grad students, myself included, focused on something specific in undergrad or as a research technician to show graduate schools that they have a particular topic of interest, that they are not just flailing all over the very large field of biology, jumping from project to project.

Focus is good; however, grad schools expect that your interests may change, so you can too! It's okay to change! It's scary to dive into something that you have no experience in, but that's not a good enough reason to discount areas that previously seemed uninteresting or too complicated. It can be confusing when you realize that you aren't as interested in that one thing you loved before. Like, what has happened to me? Do I even like this science anymore? Cue the panic attacks and stressful running-hand-through-your-hair, ahhhh-I-don't-know-what-to-think moments.


It's terrifying, bewildering, frustrating, stressful. But think about this: Open your mind to subjects that you don't have any previous coursework or training in, and you might realize that something you have no experience in sounds really cool. Choosing to get your PhD means that you like biology, so at least give every aspect of the field a chance.

I can already hear other students thinking I'm just idealistic and naive. Well, I don't care. Maybe they're right, but given how interdisciplinary science has become, new scientists have to use every available tool in their arsenal to keep pushing the borders of knowledge. I know that I want to find a project that makes me get out of bed in the morning, that makes me excited and passionate and curious, that makes me eager to explain it to other people. Keeping an open mind is helping me to find that. Maybe it will just reaffirm what I knew I didn't like before, but that's okay. Especially in rotations, I can just try things! Learn new systems, different techniques! Who knows when I'll have that kind of freedom again? Probably never to the same extent.

People are often surprised to find out that I'm keeping a very open mind, instead of using my past experience as a jumping point. It's almost as though they think it's odd that I find other areas of biology pretty interesting. If you already know what you want to do, great! But that doesn't mean that you should close your mind to everything else there is to offer just because you already know the type of science you want to do. You could be a very narrow-minded, tunnel-visioned scientist in that case - not a good thing in this day and age.

So take advantage of this time as a new grad student, learn new things, try things that scare you, that boggle your mind. There's so much cool science out there, so do some exploring before you have to make your final choice.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

196707
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

18746
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

460791
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28263
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments