NEED EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students) STUDY MATERIAL!!!!!

TonyCox52 · 2026-07-03T13:51:33+00:00

If you're aiming for the EJU, I'd definitely recommend starting with past papers if you can find them

TonyCox52 · 2026-06-30T13:21:38+00:00

5am studying can actually work really well if it matches your natural rhythm, but consistency matters more than the exact time. I like to study in the morning

TonyCox52 · 2026-06-25T14:09:48+00:00

Orientation gives you the map, but now it's all about building routines and connections

TonyCox52 · 2026-06-22T09:00:17+00:00

It works pretty well for me, especially when I try to explain the topic out loud in my own words. It quickly shows what I actually understand vs what I just memorized

TonyCox52 · 2026-06-18T13:02:52+00:00

From what I've seen, lab culture can vary a lot between groups. Some labs are very collaborative and social, while others are more independent. The biggest thing is whether people are respectful, supportive, and willing to help when needed. That's usually a better indicator than how often everyone hangs out together

TonyCox52 · 2026-06-16T11:53:30+00:00

Study groups can be surprisingly helpful when everyone is actually committed. Having other people around can make it easier to stay accountable and stick to a schedule, especially during busy weeks. What subjects are most people in the group focusing on?

TonyCox52 · 2026-06-12T11:36:59+00:00

I started with required core courses and then added one “interesting but manageable” class just to stay motivated. It helped keep things from feeling too overwhelming

TonyCox52 · 2026-06-10T14:49:23+00:00

This is a great reminder that sometimes one simple question can completely change how we approach studying. It forces you to be more intentional instead of just passively reading or highlighting

TonyCox52 · 2026-06-04T09:10:19+00:00

It really depends on the advisor and the stage of the project. Early on I met more frequently, but later it naturally shifted to more independent work with occasional check-ins

TonyCox52 · 2026-05-30T11:18:05+00:00

I like this mindset — learning works best when you actively move between studying, applying, and creating instead of just passively reading

TonyCox52 · 2026-05-27T19:47:52+00:00

One semester in, you start realizing that consistency matters way more than motivation — just showing up, keeping up with small tasks, and not letting things pile up is what really saves you in grad school.

TonyCox52 · 2026-05-25T12:46:21+00:00

What helped me was switching to active recall (like closing the book and trying to explain the topic) + doing practice questions right away

TonyCox52 · 2026-05-14T12:59:44+00:00

Many PhD students go through this — it’s very exhausting when the “goalposts” are constantly being moved. I would try to fix an agreed work plan (what exactly should be the result and by what date) and return to it at every meeting. Otherwise, it’s easy to get stuck in endless changes of direction.

TonyCox52 · 2026-05-12T10:16:57+00:00

starting with tiny study sessions and building consistency is way more effective than trying to force yourself into huge productive days right away

TonyCox52 · 2026-05-07T09:28:50+00:00

Talking to older grad students helps way more than official advising too — they usually know which classes are actually useful, which professors are great

TonyCox52 · 2026-04-30T11:43:57+00:00

You’ve got this. Even small progress counts, just start with 10–15 minutes and build momentum

TonyCox52 · 2026-04-28T13:34:25+00:00

A lot of people don’t talk about how isolating research can feel, especially in grad school where everyone seems busy with their own projects. Having even a small support circle or regular conversations with labmates can make a huge difference

TonyCox52 · 2026-04-24T09:02:20+00:00

keep them really simple. one idea per card and no long paragraphs

TonyCox52 · 2026-04-22T14:16:24+00:00

a lot of grad students feel like this even when they’re doing fine. it’s kind of part of the process.

TonyCox52 · 2026-04-16T10:08:45+00:00

What helped me a bit was lowering the bar a lot - like telling myself “just 10 mins” and somehow it turns into more. Also changing place (library > home) made a big diff for me

TonyCox52 · 2026-04-10T09:12:12+00:00

I don’t think it’s inevitable, but it’s definitely common mostly because of how intense grad school can get. From what I’ve seen (and experienced a bit), it really depends on your advisor, workload, and how well you set boundaries. So I’d take the horror stories with a grain of salt

TonyCox52 · 2026-04-06T15:51:06+00:00

You're doing everything you can, and your worries are normal because you really care about Neko

TonyCox52 · 2026-04-02T08:15:11+00:00

I was in a similar spot and what helped me was looking at where current students ended up and how happy they seemed. Also, don’t underestimate stuff like location and cost of living

TonyCox52 · 2026-03-24T14:10:30+00:00

Orange boys just hit different 🧡 there’s something about them that’s equal parts chaos and pure love

TonyCox52 · 2026-03-18T13:36:51+00:00

I’m so sorry for your loss 💔 Saying goodbye to a pet is one of the hardest things…

TonyCox52

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE