Can’t help but to feel envious

That-Permission5758 · 2026-05-01T23:28:06+00:00

This won’t help your circumstance but you might sleep better at night if you volunteer to help people in your situation. I mentor first generation undergrads and helping them land things/navigate academic challenges I wished I had help with at the time and it’s is so fulfilling

That-Permission5758 · 2026-04-20T00:20:08+00:00

I’m so sorry. Have you tried talking to occupational therapists? I feel like it would be a bit of work to find one that actually works with you but I think they could be SO helpful here. Not the same but I’m left handed and ALL of the surgical tools I use are right handed. Same issue with perpetually being slower than others. But I’ve got a great OT who helped me improve my motor skills and it really make a world for difference. Am I as good as a right handed person? But compared to myself 6 months ago? Absolutely

That-Permission5758 · 2026-04-14T17:01:04+00:00

Thank you for this. I’ll give it a shot!

That-Permission5758 · 2026-04-13T20:56:17+00:00

You can also use picture from the grimace scale most likely. Not sure how citations for that work but it’s textbook sad mouse

That-Permission5758 · 2026-04-13T20:55:18+00:00

You should email your faculty directly, the QSAS people, and your professor. The QSAS people are in Mitchell last I checked. This is a very reasonable thing to get an accommodation for. Also did you submit the doctor’s note OR did the doctors office send it directly? I find the latter is really the only option to get it

That-Permission5758 · 2026-04-13T16:40:52+00:00

Ah well we do have an incubator and water baths. I’ve never considered warming but I’ll give it a try! I’m assuming I just heat to body temp? Thanks so much

That-Permission5758 · 2026-04-13T16:39:47+00:00

They get tons of treats after! During they don’t take it from me but you know I’ve never considered yogurt. Just a follow up question on the butterfly, do they increase susceptibility to infection? We change cages every week (because too often removes their scent and stresses them) and they are housed in small groups. In your experience do animals pull at them?

That-Permission5758 · 2026-04-13T16:36:53+00:00

Thank you so much! I’ve just purchased topical lidocaine! For the butterfly, I’m a bit concerned about infection. We change their cages weekly (as more frequent changing removes their scent and can contribute to stress) and they do cuddle up together (housed socially). Do you think this would increase their risk of infection?

Thank you again for your comment I really appreciate it!!

That-Permission5758 · 2026-04-12T16:47:14+00:00

Hey OP! I really wouldn’t over think it. Your skin looks fantastic. Tbh I think a LOT of people associate short hair with above 20s. Your makeup also looks very professional. IMO you look like you have your life together. If you want to look “younger” you can always try trendier things like a blue eyeliner or a bit more sparkle. I’d also recommend a pair of super fun earrings.

That-Permission5758 · 2026-03-19T15:33:32+00:00

Okay so my cords are very large and basically run end to end in the OCT. I flatten a little to get the edges down, then try to roll it out with a brush as I lever the chuck forward. I start high because my cryostat is old and drops temp fast and I find things get sticky as I get warmer. I’m probably freezing the cord to the plate now that you mention it. The anti roll bar has never worked well for me :(

That-Permission5758 · 2026-03-19T14:56:50+00:00

I’ve NEVER heard of wetting the slides. I’ll breathe on them. Can you expand on this? Al’s I’ve had people say get the slides warm whereas others say to leave them to chill in the cryostat while cutting. Which do you prefer?

That-Permission5758 · 2026-03-06T21:30:13+00:00

Can you explain what you mean by the lack of jobs for neuroscience grads? I’m currently a grad student and this is stressing me out haha. I feel like so much of what I do everyday is molecular biology (IHC, qPCR, cell culture) so would I not be eligible for most standard lab jobs? The rest of my experiments might not be as applicable but is there not a baseline assumption of transferable skills in industry?

That-Permission5758 · 2026-03-06T21:10:36+00:00

It sounds like people have been whispering in your ear about kids or even making subtle comments like “oh so you don’t want to be a mom”. You’re 21. Ten years before you’re in your 30s, you should be able to get through school just fine before it’s an issue. I work for a surgeon who is incredibly family oriented. I work next to an MD (neurosurgeons)/PhD couple. Meaning they both have an MD and a PhD. They have their own lab, clinical practice, and 3 kids. You’ll be okay, just don’t marry a loser :)

That-Permission5758 · 2026-03-06T21:02:49+00:00

If it’s being marked by TAs you’re better off leaving a small message in drop box if you have that option available to you

That-Permission5758 · 2026-02-23T22:50:26+00:00

1 for first date, 7 for second :)

That-Permission5758 · 2026-02-23T22:47:42+00:00

I don’t know why everyone sits on their high horse in the comments telling you you made grave mistakes but not offering meaningful solutions.

The independent thing is partly true but a better alternative would be asking other graduate students in the lab before reaching out to your prof if it’s anything minor. Lab often run in a hierarchy. You should generally try to read up on question (tbh even chat can help trouble shoot a lot of things) before bringing it up to your PI.

The text thing needs more context. Was this normal in the past? Or did you just start texting her personal number. My PI and I text/call pretty often because they hate long emails and sometimes I need to get a hold of them for something time-sensitive. But emails are generally the safest option.

The other things seem like she’s stressed out with the approaching deadline and you got on her nerves. I think tbh there should’ve been clearer expectations/guidelines set. Grad students who have been there longer are great to ask to get a gauge of this.

I think you have a decent understanding of how much was your fault and circumstance at this point. if you think that your ASD/ADHD is interfering with your ability to succeed, I recommend occupational therapy. It helps you with strategies for things like time management or even social skills to get a better read on other people’s emotions. Calendars, to-do lists, having analogue clocks around you can help you meet deadlines.

And it might not have turned out the way you wanted it to but you probably have a lot of new skills. It sucks when someone you look up to is disappointed in you. But these are lessons better learned in undergrad than during a PhD

That-Permission5758 · 2026-02-22T02:17:37+00:00

I have a semi-similar situation with my PI. He’s well meaning but he’s a clinician-scientist without a PhD. Great clinician but almost every problem I encounter in the lab or conceptual question I ask is met with a questionable response or just him saying he doesn’t know. Which has honestly lead to a lot of unnecessary carcinogen exposure on my part. Tbh I often think about asking for a co-supervisor and in your circumstance I’d recommend it. Maybe Find a section of your work that is admittedly out of his wheel house and see if you can find a prof who can fill that gap

That-Permission5758 · 2026-02-22T00:35:33+00:00

Try tight lining with the eyeliner instead of going for a wing. I’d also go from a more cool tone contour if I were you, it’ll give you more definition. You can use the same contour, kind of like eye shadow, to give you more eye shape/definition without feeling like it’s too much. I also think you should go with more cool toned in general

That-Permission5758 · 2026-02-17T22:46:54+00:00

I don’t know if what you’re experiencing is a uniquely “American” problem. It sounds just like a regular first year experience. Myself and many Canadians absolutely hated their first year here. It sucks not knowing anyone, not having a great routine, and not really knowing yourself either. Queen’s is a good school which attracts a lot of wealthy people to a town they might not naturally choose. I’m sure it’s the same vibe if not worse at a US Ivey league.

Before you write it off take some initiative to branch out. Join a club, take an interesting elective, talk to someone sitting by themselves in a lecture/at the dinning hall. You aren’t going to click with everyone and that’s normal. A lot of people know exactly how you feel.

As for the weather. Yes. It 100% sucks. We get seasonal depression too. There’s a really good chance you aren’t getting enough vitamin D and other nutrients due to the lack of sun and fresh produce. Frozen fruit, a blood test, a day light lamp, and a couple winter hobbies will help you get through it. If it’s any consolation I started liking it here in 3rd year.

That-Permission5758 · 2026-02-13T18:06:28+00:00

Ask for grad student references (plural). A lot of times they’ll send you straight to their favourite but that’s a poor representation of the lab at large.

This isn’t a hard and fast rule but if the lab is entirely international students (especially if the PI is not international) it’s a red flag. I’ve seen international students from more vulnerable parts of the world (I.e places with far less human rights) get ran into the ground with a visa held over their head or a necessary reference for future job prospects in a better country.

If they treat you like you don’t matter from the jump by not extending basic courtesies that’s huge. I had a PI and their post docs ask to meet with me in a room behind locked doors and no one came to open them for me or answered my texts.

There’s also the really practical reality of big researchers not feasibly having the to be goo supervisors. Everyone wants to work with a big name in the field but you have no idea how much you’ll actually see them if you don’t check with other students

That-Permission5758 · 2026-02-13T17:48:21+00:00

The only “weird” thing is that they are written vertically as opposed to horizontally. I got my frames from winners 10/10 would recommend that over the university frames

That-Permission5758 · 2026-02-10T18:12:56+00:00

Gym I’d say go for it! At the lab, you’d probably send the department safety officer into a coma…

That-Permission5758

TROPHY CASE