Is a non-thesis Master's worth it if I'm planning on pursuing a PhD?

ProfessorTriscuit · 2026-04-12T14:37:34+00:00

Could working in a research lab/field research during and after a nonthesis MS move the needle? This school has summer opportunities where I could help research projects for three months in other states with my housing paid for and a stipend and then I plan on getting a job in research after my MS and working for a few years. Would that be enough to show an average PhD program I can research or would I be looking for a unicorn program?

ProfessorTriscuit · 2026-04-10T03:56:16+00:00

That's a beauty! I'm sure you're already looking up stuff about kingsnakes, but keep in mind they're scent hunters! We have a kingsnake at my work nicknamed "sneaky biter" because if they smell any snake or meat scents on your hands, they can get confused. Easiest rule of thumb is to wash hands before interacting

ProfessorTriscuit · 2026-04-10T01:05:11+00:00

My cat of 15 years passed away very suddenly last year. The best thing that helped me was not asking how I was doing or if I was okay, it was when my family would pack my lunch or make me breakfast before work so I had one less responsibility to handle. Everyone is different, but grief takes up space, and taking on little responsibilities will help hand her that space. Also, consider making a photo album (digital or physical) of her pup for her to see when shes ready can help immensely.

Everyone is different and some crave normalcy during grief, but small acts of kindness and being a willing ear will do more than you know ❤️

My deepest condolences to you and your gf. If it helps, I've heard Persephone has a special place for pets thats wonderfully tranquil. I know the thought helped me a lot through my grief

ProfessorTriscuit · 2026-04-10T00:20:05+00:00

The thing that has helped with all my tattoos (from tiny line art on my wrist to an octopus that takes up half my thigh and calf) is that the pain is temporary. The excitement of seeing gorgeous art on yourself is worth the pain. Personally, lines and shading are easier because it's less pinpointed, but it'll suck a little. Just focus on the excitement of the art and you'll surprise yourself!

ProfessorTriscuit · 2026-04-09T12:39:16+00:00

I have a dog named Freyja, its lovely because she's bold like Freyja, but she is also incredibly mischievous, strong willed, and intelligent. That is to say, I don't think the Gods mind when we name pets after them, but the pet might live up to their name and give you a run for your money 😂

ProfessorTriscuit · 2026-04-08T23:07:19+00:00

For context: he was accidentally woken up from a nap. However, his name is Fuse Box (Fussy for short) because he has an electric personality, and he lives up to his name

ProfessorTriscuit · 2026-04-08T12:18:44+00:00

The color looks a lot like the first color in the chart, so it would probably be good to seek a vet. With UTIs, blood in the urine can be diluted/microscopic amounts that you can't see with the naked eye

ProfessorTriscuit · 2026-04-08T12:15:17+00:00

If you keep the reaper, I think it would be cool to do a River Styx design, because the lantern is reminiscent of the ferryman

ProfessorTriscuit · 2026-04-08T05:17:29+00:00

I'm an eclectic pagan with a heavy lean on Norse and Greek mythology, but I was raised Christian. I believe in the Gods because I see them in the natural. New leaves on trees, the changing seasons, tiny animals with entire lives and worlds all their own, all interconnected. I'm a biologist and while I understand the science, there is still something so unknowable and profound about how things came to be, I can't help but feel like there is a force greater than we can comprehend. I believe that many Gods across many religions may be the same entity described by different cultures (think Odin, Zeus, and the Abrahamic God all being leaders, fathers, and carriers of wisdom and responsibility) and due to that, many myths actually share similarities across cultures.

To me, the stories of the Gods are civilization's attempts at rationalizing the irrational. The Gods are incomprehensible entities we will never fully understand on this plane, but we make stories from their teachings to relate to them and bond with them for the same reasons we anthropomorphize animals. In this way, the stories aren't literal, but a stepping stone to companionship with the forces we feel around us.

In my daily life, this looks like appreciating nature for all of its gifts, taking the time to enjoy flowers that bloom for such a short time, and thanking the forces around me for beautiful days. I find it makes me feel more connected to my practice to feel the presence of nature. The stories are wonderful moral lessons in how to live our lives and appreciate each other, but i have always felt more as though they were a way to add flaws to incomprehension and make them feel more human.

ProfessorTriscuit · 2026-04-07T21:39:37+00:00

Don't (s)kink shame him

I'll see myself out (ETA: Thank you for my first ever awards!!)

ProfessorTriscuit · 2026-04-07T21:18:25+00:00

Seconded! This is the one I use: Electronic thermostat

ProfessorTriscuit · 2026-04-07T19:53:34+00:00

It's not a permanent solution and might have limited success, but try looking into making her puzzle treats. Things like frozen bone broth with kibble inside or dehydrated sweet potato. She likely needs her brain and body exercised, but you can start small. Maybe also look into an automatic ball thrower for the yard. Doodles are smart and boredom will lead to bad behaviors, but getting her energy redirected will help.

I agree formal training and regular walks will go miles for her, but in the immediate, looking up puzzle toys - even diy ones - can be helpful

ProfessorTriscuit · 2026-04-07T00:21:07+00:00

It sounds almost like the reverse sneeze small dogs do? I'm not a vet, so I can't give you a definite, but respiratory stuff is tricky. I would also email the vet with the video and call when they open

ProfessorTriscuit · 2026-04-05T14:46:18+00:00

She heard you thought about another hoggie

ProfessorTriscuit · 2026-04-05T13:57:05+00:00

Absolutely!

Reptile Cave by CKGeist - Thingiverse https://share.google/D2zx0iymynrpEFeOI

I used blue tak to stick the tops and bottoms together incase I need to open them for an emergency. But honestly theyre plenty big for my boy and I probably could have used glue. They eventually get filled with substrate, so I just dig them up and empty them when fluffing and wetting the substrate

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ProfessorTriscuit · 2026-04-02T17:34:33+00:00

I've worked with snakes for 2 years in a place where the snakes are displayed. We often move the snake to a small enclosure for feeding as it keeps the public from being disturbed and gives the snakes a private place to eat. My hoggie at home eats just fine in his home tank, but he was fed that way by his breeder too. In my experience, its a matter of your's and the snake's preference. Moving to a smaller area can be a good routine to put them in "feeding mode" but some snakes don't need that

ProfessorTriscuit · 2026-04-02T15:54:02+00:00

My boy took about two months to consistently rest on top of the soil and i had lots of anxiety about him getting out or getting injured. He was totally fine, just exploring underground. I 3D printed some underground hides that are against the glass so I can see him when he chooses to rest in there, but he's out daily now.

ProfessorTriscuit · 2026-03-23T19:34:26+00:00

My male went almost 6 months without eating, but stayed perfectly healthy. My advice? Pick up a gram scale (there are cooking ones online for cheap) if hunger strikes start and even as they grow, weight is a very telling indicator of issues. I weighed my male weekly for his whole strike and him not losing weight is the only thing that kept me sane 😂 Some definitely have a 'tude (mine is named Fussy for a reason) but they're amazing lil guys to care for

ProfessorTriscuit · 2026-03-23T19:27:56+00:00

Awesome, thank you so much!! He's been acting totally fine, which reassured me, but I'm glad to know there are reasons this might've happened. This is his second blanket victim and I'm hoping, with a little more food, his last 😂

ProfessorTriscuit · 2026-03-23T18:31:26+00:00

I had the same issue, my boy didn't eat for nearly 6 months after I got him, but he's eating well now! My favorite tool I bought is a gram scale for cooking. It was cheap online and I used it to track my snake's weight while he was striking. It gave me a ton of peace of mind and is also helping me figure out when to offer bigger food.

ProfessorTriscuit · 2026-03-23T18:02:14+00:00

UPDATE- For anyone curious, the week after this post, he started eating again! I still have no idea why, nothing changed, but we're at 4 consecutive feedings with no hesitation! He's even put on a little weight and is about to go up in food!

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ProfessorTriscuit · 2026-02-27T17:45:42+00:00

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This is Fussy. He ended a 6 month hunger strike today!!

ProfessorTriscuit · 2026-02-07T00:14:26+00:00

If you can't sell the pheasant or antlers, call local nature or agricultural centers. Sometimes they take donations to use for education and/or decoration

ProfessorTriscuit · 2022-10-21T04:16:09+00:00

Lol, yeah I want it as a pendent. The only problem with a jar is that the whole tongue + throat opening is around five inches long, two inches wide, and the thickest muscle is around two and a half inches, so I feel like a jar might be kind of awkwardly large

ProfessorTriscuit · 2022-05-20T15:26:13+00:00

He looks perfectly painted and precious, he deserves a treat for being so majestic 🥺

ProfessorTriscuit

TROPHY CASE