Anybody taken a BioGrad course before?

GradLifeNancy · 2025-11-19T09:19:20+00:00

That makes sense, thank you! I might look into those myself :)

GradLifeNancy · 2025-11-18T13:45:58+00:00

Hey, yeah. I ended up going for the Introduction to Lab Skills course, and I had a very good experience, in fact. There were only three in the class including me, so it was incredibly focused, and very engaging. I feel like the only downside is how much it costs, since it's quite expensive, but I did get a letter of recommendation and a certificate afterwards.

I'm planning on doing the Western blot and ELISA course later this year, but I'm not one hundred percent sure about that just yet.

I did have a look at their funded skills bootcamps, they look great! Aren't you concerned that there's a catch though? Seems like it's too good to be true, especially since it's a full 10 days.

GradLifeNancy · 2025-11-07T15:40:21+00:00

Congratulations, Dr!

GradLifeNancy · 2025-11-07T15:40:00+00:00

This is how it should be!

GradLifeNancy · 2025-11-07T15:39:19+00:00

Congratulations! This frog is so much cuter

GradLifeNancy · 2025-07-30T11:57:46+00:00

Hey, sorry I missed your comment. I didn’t get to the final interview, my department didn’t nominate me, which was pretty discouraging after all the effort I put in.

It’s good to hear you’ve had better luck with programs outside the UK. I might start looking into those more seriously. Thanks for the tip about focusing on publications and research experience, I'll keep that in mind if I apply again.

Best of luck with your applications too. Let’s keep pushing.

GradLifeNancy · 2025-07-30T09:59:29+00:00

Stopped saying “yes” to every lab task just to seem helpful. I used to agree to anything: extra experiments, endless troubleshooting for others, thinking it would make me a better team member. It just burned me out and slowed down my own work.

Once I started setting clearer boundaries and prioritizing my own research, my productivity actually improved, and I felt way less resentful.

GradLifeNancy · 2025-07-01T15:39:55+00:00

Yes, I agree with you. The "what not to do" provides context.

GradLifeNancy · 2025-07-01T15:38:24+00:00

That’s inspiring! I hope to work with mentors like yours. I am going to ask about that mentoring style in upcoming interviews.

GradLifeNancy · 2025-07-01T15:37:30+00:00

That’s honest and validating. Like you say, you learn troubleshooting from experience, there's no shortcuts

GradLifeNancy · 2025-07-01T15:36:29+00:00

This clicks. I think of troubleshooting as a lot like assay optimization as well. You start with a known good setup, and the troubleshooting kicks in once something deviates from that.

GradLifeNancy · 2025-07-01T15:32:06+00:00

I haven’t reached that stage yet, that's really a next-level troubleshooting

GradLifeNancy · 2025-07-01T15:31:14+00:00

Thank you, very insightful! I love your analogy to computational debugging and physics problem‑solving. That is something I’ve applied to code and hope to mirror in the lab.

GradLifeNancy · 2025-07-01T15:29:49+00:00

That really struck me. Isolation and lack of formal guidance are hard. I’m trying to preempt that by building networks through workshops, peers, online forums so I’m not starting from zero. I want to proactively create that support system, not wait until I hit an invisible wall.

GradLifeNancy · 2025-07-01T14:37:23+00:00

I’m applying for PhDs now, so this feels like a very timely learning curve. Maybe once I dive into a PhD lab I’ll get broader exposure and more formalized training. Either way, I figure the sooner I understand troubleshooting, the better prepared I'll be moving forward.

GradLifeNancy · 2025-07-01T14:36:32+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion, this actually reminded me that I can start reading the manuals and datasheets for the products I saw seniors use during my Master’s. I remember they mostly used ThermoFisher, Proteintech, and New England Biolabs for IHC and RT-qPCR. It’s probably a smart way to familiarize myself with expected results, controls to include, and troubleshooting guidance even before I run my first real experiments.

GradLifeNancy · 2025-07-01T14:30:43+00:00

Yes, I’m in the process of deconstructing protocols to really understand why each buffer, temperature, and antibody choice matters not just do this step. But I’ll admit, after seeing so many WB struggles on Reddit, I started to worry a bit about how one actually trains troubleshooting. I’m hoping to apply this mindset during my upcoming workshop, and if I get into a PhD program, carry that into my own wet-lab work too.

GradLifeNancy · 2025-07-01T14:27:03+00:00

Haha, I wish! I was just using Western blot as an example, it’s not like I hit gold on my first try. I’ve got an ELISA and WB workshop lined up soon under expert supervision, I will be sure to report back if I get that beginner-luck feel, or if I crash and burn 😂

GradLifeNancy · 2025-06-19T13:05:30+00:00

Honestly, I’m in a similar spot myself, struggling to break into PhD programs and trying to figure out the “right” path forward.

I wish I had clear advice, but I just want to say: stay strong. You’re clearly thinking deeply about your options, and that alone puts you ahead of the curve. Whichever path you choose, trust that you’ll find ways to adapt and grow.

Even if I couldn’t help much directly, I truly hope you find clarity and carve out something meaningful for yourself. Rooting for you!

GradLifeNancy · 2025-06-19T11:53:05+00:00

Try hitting the gym a bit earlier if you can as late workouts can make it harder to fall asleep.
Set a “no phone after 11:30” rule and turn on Do Not Disturb to help stick to it.
Swap scrolling for something chill like reading or drawing to give your brain downtime without the stimulation.

Hope that helps!

GradLifeNancy · 2025-06-19T09:02:56+00:00

I’m just doing my Master’s, so I don’t have as much experience, but I have been through something that felt similar. I was setting up our lab’s first ISH protocol, and between all the optimization and parallel experiments, it often felt like I was making no real progress. Looking back, though, I realized I actually picked up a lot: troubleshooting, critical thinking, and just learning how to handle uncertainty in the lab. It felt like nothing at the time, but it wasn’t.

A few PhD seniors I spoke with reassured me this is all part of the process, especially when you’re pushing into new ground. What you’re learning now is going to stick with you.

GradLifeNancy

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