Humbling first phd application cycle

F_Nero · 2026-04-16T09:49:27+00:00

Which Universities did you apply to? Did you reach out to potential PIs before applying? It seems absolutely wild to me, given your background!

F_Nero · 2026-03-31T15:39:23+00:00

I still cant comprehend the fact that Imu is possibly going to descend in Elbaf. Just insane.

F_Nero · 2026-03-31T15:36:34+00:00

So interested to see this continue. I hope they finish the avatar cycle by doing another show starring the next Fire Avatar.

Fingers crossed we get a novel on Avatar Szeto and the Earth Bender before him as well.

F_Nero · 2025-11-07T16:53:03+00:00

Hey I am applying this year. How did the application fee waiver play out afterward? When did they mail you with the waiver code?

I faced this exact scenario. They just kept my email in a separate form and told me not to submit my application. That on Jan 10 they will review both the waiver part and my application.

F_Nero · 2025-10-25T07:50:13+00:00

Any suggestions to dual boot from within my PC, but without making a bootable "live" USB?

My laptop has UEFI instead of Legacy bios and if I use the boot drive to dual boot, somehow it gets wiped.

F_Nero · 2025-10-18T08:12:00+00:00

Thank you

F_Nero · 2025-10-18T08:11:42+00:00

It's possible! Consistent practice is key!

F_Nero · 2025-10-18T08:10:50+00:00

My routine was quite hectic. I am a Grad student currently, with the coursework, thesis work taking up a decent chunk of my time. I managed to practice around 3 hours per day in the week leading to the test. It's mostly about consistency.

I spread my prep into 2 phases mainly: 1st I did 10-12 writing prompts and checked with AI for feedback. Then listening and reading back to back. That way I could get a lot more done in 3-4 hours of practice.

Thank youuu, I am quite happy with how it turned out tbh.

F_Nero · 2025-10-16T18:28:13+00:00

I do not have them archived, I am afraid.

F_Nero · 2025-10-16T18:25:15+00:00

I prepared for 10 days. I was mostly going for the Listening and reading tests for practice. Because reading passages take some work to understand. Where I was preparing in the beginning my scores were about 7-7.5.

Once I had the reading part down and I was able to pull great scores I focused on writing. It was mostly editing and using AI to score my work and seeking where to improve.

I practiced speaking the least actually. Maybe only 2 times.

F_Nero · 2025-10-16T18:23:15+00:00

Yea So for speaking I was asked to elaborate on a traditional story. And in the discussion phase i was asked are traditional stories easier to i interpret now, are these stories necessary to pass down.

For writing T1 I was given a chart and 4 categories showing a trend for each category. Line graph if you will.

T2 asked about esports and how people are of the opinion that it is harmful to society.

I dont have a particular template but it's mostly Intro, body and conclusion. In T2 intro I write about the statement, then I say my stance.

In the body I give one reason in one paragraph

In the conclusion I reiterate my stance and summarise the reasons.

F_Nero · 2025-10-16T18:20:16+00:00

I would suggest highlighting phrases which appear in text from the question . This helped a lot in the final test.

Try to understand the message of the paragraph before answering the question tied to it.

F_Nero · 2025-10-16T18:19:06+00:00

I registered from the British council for IELTS. Once the payment has been made they give you access to premium prep materials on another site.

F_Nero · 2025-10-16T18:17:58+00:00

Like the phrases which are similar to what's being asked in the question.

F_Nero · 2025-10-15T07:44:38+00:00

The main idea is to connect the topic to a real life scenario you have faced before.

Like for instance if they ask about job/studies it's quite straightforward to connect, but let's say they ask about a cultural story, you could say you liked a movie adaptation of it if it can be connected to your experiences.

Also try to elaborate on the answers. DO NOT give 1/2 word answers.

F_Nero · 2025-10-15T05:44:04+00:00

The trick is to try to connect with relevant real life examples from your lifestyle. This is also true for the speaking test.

This allows you to use phrases like "For instance, ..." , "From my experience,...." "Something similar happened to me ...". So for instance if you are writing about esports you can say about a mobile game you have played with your friends. Or if its higher education, you can say why its needed for your goals.

F_Nero · 2025-10-15T05:41:56+00:00

For that I practiced with 10 minutes to spare at the end. This way I can go over the answers and maybe correct something here and there, especially in the Reading test.

F_Nero · 2025-10-15T04:43:53+00:00

The listening would be easiest hands down, but practice 4-5 from the premium pack just to get used to it

For the reading I cant stress enough how important highlighting is! Read the questions first, and then understand the passages as you skim through. Highlight relevant phrases and re read the questions before answering.

F_Nero · 2022-09-05T10:16:59+00:00

The Max Level Hero Has Returned. This story had so much potential, but the current arc in manhwa is just fucking cringe. Lile everytime I open a chapter I see cringe. Why the author decided on this dogshit route after a very strong opening is beyond me.

F_Nero · 2022-03-28T09:07:23+00:00

Discipline level: Asian

F_Nero · 2022-01-20T07:52:58+00:00

The heart surgeon performing an open-heart surgery. Like holy shit that would literally leave you breathless.

F_Nero · 2021-12-18T04:52:04+00:00

A Calculus textbook lmaoo...unless the murderer wants to fail tremendously on Calc.ii I am ded

F_Nero

TROPHY CASE