DISCLAIMER: It has come to my attention that some folk believe that I "have it all together." Please accept this disclaimer as my way of saying three things: 1) I am figuring this out (and making this up) right alongside you dear reader; 2) I am not immune to feeling completely lost in tasks that … Continue reading Overcoming Periods of Self Doubt…or How to Win a Fool’s Game
Strategy
STAY Ready. Don’t GET Ready.
Allow me to provide you with some more spiritually-guided unsolicited advice. If you've interacted with me recently, at some point you may have heard me talking about how I "stay ready, so I never have to get ready." I want to break down what this means to me and why it's been so important in … Continue reading STAY Ready. Don’t GET Ready.
Be Excellent. Celebrate. Repeat.
If there's a young child in your life, I want you to try this experiment or do an observation (in a non-creepy way) of a healthy parent-child interaction. EXPERIMENT: Watch the child do or say something that makes others laugh, smile, or offer a lot of positive reinforcement and celebration. Make note on whether or … Continue reading Be Excellent. Celebrate. Repeat.
Five Things Incoming Grad Students Get Wrong–A LOT
Okay, I know the title comes off a bit harsh. I mean, who do I think I am telling other grad students what they struggle with? Well, kudos to you for being intrigued enough to continue on anyway. To attend to my earlier question: I am an incoming fourth year Ph.D. candidate in ME that has … Continue reading Five Things Incoming Grad Students Get Wrong–A LOT
Claiming Your Expertise: How to Choose a Dissertation Topic
This topic is close to my heart, because as a Ph.D. Candidate these are the crossroads that I currently find myself at. I've done a little research to save you the time, dear reader, and help you on your journey. However, lest I remind you that I am but a lowly Ph.D. Candidate, my unsolicited … Continue reading Claiming Your Expertise: How to Choose a Dissertation Topic
How I Got Into Stanford…I Think
This is the age-old question that I ask myself and constantly gets asked of me. I would like to believe that it was my strategic foresight, research and leadership experiences, and all of my ambition. And while that may be part of the story--a large part--it it still far from complete. When I originally wrote … Continue reading How I Got Into Stanford…I Think
New Year. New Attitude. New ME.
The first day of fall '16 quarter (yesterday September 26, 2016) was a beautiful day on campus. Bright eyed and bushy tailed freshmen and first years hustled and bustled to classes and learned just what a quarter system is all about. I cannot believe that the year has passed by so quickly--though going through it … Continue reading New Year. New Attitude. New ME.
D282: Just Keep Swimming (Recognizing the Strength in Consistency)
Today marks ~3 weeks since I completed my first year of graduate school, putting me an entire academic year closer to earning a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering. I wanted to post this on my last day of school since I started blogging on the first day—but I was exhausted. I mean completely wiped out. This … Continue reading D282: Just Keep Swimming (Recognizing the Strength in Consistency)
D176: Asking for Help So You Actually Get It
The secret? Simply ask for what you want. Yeah…that’s it. It’s actually one of the few things we must rely on since mind reading is still generally unavailable. Sometimes, we’re so afraid of being a burden to others that we shoulder the weight all by ourselves. However, asking for help is a sign of strength … Continue reading D176: Asking for Help So You Actually Get It
D102: Tough Decisions
Happy 2016! 'Tis the season for putting one's best foot forward and starting anew. I successfully completed my first quarter at Stanford and am gearing up for the excitement that this time of year brings. Right now, most people are riddled with new goals, for GPA, weight, personal growth, and development. I have spent the … Continue reading D102: Tough Decisions
Graduate School Chronicles 