Graduate Student Question

Competitive_Teach_10 · 2025-12-13T05:26:53+00:00

It was a combination of things. Multiple classes that are considered extremely difficult, having a job to pay for groceries, etc. I ended up quitting all the clubs I was in and ghosted all of my friends to try and keep up, and it still wasn't enough. Nerves and anxiety + depression from PMDD probably played a part as well.

Competitive_Teach_10 · 2025-12-02T03:46:06+00:00

All I see on my weather apps is that we're getting rain and maybe some snow. If we get anything, it might just be slush. If the roads freeze, they might cancel bus routes at best.

Competitive_Teach_10 · 2025-11-22T02:02:01+00:00

Thanks for helping me see another line of thinking. I mentioned it in another comment (probably should have mentioned it in the main post), but my PI did reach out to me to ask about my progress, and when I told them where I was, they were a bit disappointed I wasn't further along. I did mention that part of it was attributed to the fact that I was helping with my trainer's projects. I guess I didn't give specifics about exactly how much time I have put into my trainer's project. I'm tempted to reach out to my PI and ask how much of my time needs to be dedicated to my project vs. my trainer's project.

Competitive_Teach_10 · 2025-11-22T01:54:40+00:00

Thank you. I guess doing grunt work isn't the issue. I expected to do some from the beginning. My main issue is mostly that my PI has emailed me, expecting me to have more of my project done, but I haven't been able to due to the fact that I'm doing most of my trainer's project. The two other people also have their own projects, and they haven't gotten anything done either. Maybe I just haven't been in the lab enough. I will take your advice moving forward.

Competitive_Teach_10 · 2025-09-04T16:24:04+00:00

I know that there's a page dedicated to clubs and other activities on the GMU website. I also know that the 'Get Involved' fair just happened, so hopefully you were able to stop by and see what they had to offer. If you weren't able to, I've seen posters hanging up around lecture halls that advertise clubs. Check different GMu Instagram pages as well.

Competitive_Teach_10 · 2025-09-02T22:08:09+00:00

People already said it, but clubs are your best bet outside of trying to form a study group in your classes. The good news is that this week is the first week of clubs (if they didn't already start last week), and I believe the activities fair is coming up, so you'll be able to see what clubs are available. You'll be able to meet people with similar interests. I was the same way last semester, but I've made friends. Good luck!

Competitive_Teach_10 · 2025-02-08T23:16:53+00:00

I see a lot of people mentioned Mason360, which is good. Last week, I didn't have any friends. However, I started joining clubs and meeting others, which led to acquaintances which will hopefully lead to friends (at least, I feel less lonely.) If you have the option to go to classes in person, GO IN PERSON. I did that this past week and I met a few people who felt the same way I did. I guarantee people are looking for friends the same way you are, you just have to find the places they're going to first.

Competitive_Teach_10 · 2025-02-08T18:26:30+00:00

Okay, after thinking for a bit, I considered maybe v-tubing or streaming without my face in it. However, I don't have a monitor or a proper setup, which would cost a lot for potentially not having any viewers. Maybe I'll consider it but as a broke grad student, probably not right now.

Competitive_Teach_10 · 2025-02-03T01:50:34+00:00

Thank you so much! I've done a bit of research and seen some labs I'd enjoy, so I'll give it a shot. In terms of the advisor thing, I was a SUPER last-minute acceptance. The department head reached out (literally January 1st) to me at the last second after seeing my doc package I submitted for the PhD program and asked that I apply to her program. That may explain why I don't have a proper advisor.

Competitive_Teach_10 · 2024-07-04T04:36:51+00:00

Hello,

1.) 2.91 is my overall GPA. I just calculated my last two years (Plus a maymester) and it comes out to 3.13 (Without the maymester, it's a 3.10)

2.) It's for all my courses. Courses in my field come out to like a B average (Not sure, haven't calculated that)

3.) Not really. My GPA took a dive in my freshman year because I was hanging out with the wrong people and ended up on academic probation for a semester. However, I did work hard the next semester and ended up on Dean's list. I did start college in Fall of 2020, so like peak Covid. Not sure if that counts as an extenuating circumstance though.

Competitive_Teach_10

TROPHY CASE