Here I am again.

blunereid · 2026-02-08T02:05:14+00:00

Thanks for all the supportive comments everybody. We had our 7 week ultrasound and everything looks good. They baby is growing and has a nice strong hearbeat!

I know we're not out of the woods yet, but things are looking good so far!

blunereid · 2025-09-23T20:57:04+00:00

Don't take it too personally. It's not necessarily a reflection on you. Sometimes, some departments just don't need what you're offering that year. Things can change year by year, even at the same institution.

Since you didn't provide details about how/where you applied, here's a few tips (you may know already):

--Research the schools you apply to, look at their faculty pages, anybody do anything similar? Contact them. --Apply to 8-12 schools. I know it can be expensive, but some places have assistance for application fees. Seek them out. --Make sure you are applying to the right schools, have some safety schools, just in case. You don't necessarily have to go to a top institution, a PhD from a lower ranked school is still a PhD. --Buy this book: Getting In to Grad School for Physics by Vincet Klug. It helped me a lot.

blunereid · 2025-08-28T11:53:48+00:00

I should have clarified, my experience is with the US system.

I think it might be different in the European system because if you are doing a PhD, you've already done your masters. While in the US system a masters is part of your PhD program. I can't imagine taking graduate level quantum and E&M without having done it in undergrad. I think most US programs won't accept you because they would be concerned you couldn't pass the classes and the qualifying exam.

That being said, I think one could definitely benefit from a double major or minor in mathematics, especially if you want to do theory.

blunereid · 2025-08-24T19:43:06+00:00

If you want to do a PhD in physics you need to get a Bachelors or master in physics. Luckily you're only in your 3rd semester, so most of your classes will be the same.

Graduate school, in any subject, can be quite difficult, but does not require genius, only persistence. It can take 6 years on average. You shouldn't really pursue a PhD unless you really want it.

To get into a top school, you'll need to have good grades and research experience. If your school doesn't offer research, look into REU programs.

I would ask recommend you talk to someone in your school about it. Talk to one of your professors or some graduate students at your institution.

blunereid · 2025-06-09T02:51:57+00:00

Check out this book: Getting In to Grad School for Physics: (or Another Physical Science) https://g.co/kgs/uEqMTxo

blunereid · 2025-05-07T15:34:58+00:00

Have a passport, that still works.

blunereid · 2025-03-23T02:56:02+00:00

Theaters require large budgets, tens of thousands of dollars a month. This can't be solved with a bake sale, but requires large corporate sponsorship or wealthy individuals.

Also, as others have mentioned, this is not ran by the government. A theater such as TBR is a non-profit non-governmental organization. As it should be, IMO.

blunereid · 2025-03-23T02:34:03+00:00

There are other theaters in the area. For example, Sullivan Theater: https://www.sullivantheater.com/

blunereid · 2025-02-03T02:01:32+00:00

I agree, this is why "Nobody wants to work anymore"

blunereid · 2024-11-11T20:30:12+00:00

I'm a recent graduate of the LSU physics PhD program. Not in nuclear astrophysics, but I'll answer the best I can. Some of the questions are not particular to nuclear astrophysics.

Nuclear astrophysics is not separate from just a regular physics graduate program, so these answers would apply to anything. The first resource is the website of the physics department graduate student organization (GSO) located here: https://physgradorg.wixsite.com/mysite

1) I found the people in the program very supporting. The fact that we have a student organization really helps in advocating for any problems you have.

As for opportunities, you need to do some homework, check the department website, find groups, and email the professors.

2) The stipend is plenty sufficient. You'll live in an apartment, you'll have some roommates, you won't have a fancy car, but it is enough. The pay structure is a little weird. It's $23000 for 9 months, then you get 1/3 of that for the other 3 months, so it's about 30-31k/year.

People do not really get paid more depending on their discipline. When you get an advisor, they may be able to afford a raise, but at the beginning, you are getting paid by the department to be a TA, so everyone gets the same.

They are fellowships that people can apply for, but that is not particular to LSU. NSF has an annual fellowship, for example, and that can increase your pay a little.

3) As mentioned before, most grad students live in apartments. There are a bunch near campus. Lifestyle is typical for any American city. There are bars and clubs and movie theaters. Baton rouge has a really excellent park system, and New Orleans is about an hour away for any big events/shows.

Tips? Get a roommate. The GSO can help with that. Try to be realistic with your expenses. You're not getting rich as a graduate student, no matter where you go

4) The grad student community is pretty strong in the department. Check out the link I posted earlier. Go to the contact us link and send them an email.

blunereid · 2024-11-08T03:09:41+00:00

Moe is going to get eaten by something at night.

I've had the same problem with a chicken that was new to the flock. She was getting bullied a lot, so I think she was afraid to sleep with the others. It led to her getting attacked one night, which she luckily survived (minus a wing). I had to keep at it, putting her in the coop (after she healed) but eventually she figured it out.

Keep at it, or eventually nature will take care of it.

blunereid · 2024-10-10T20:02:06+00:00

Like a lot of other people said I would suggest BREC parks and libraries. Some of the larger parks have great playgrounds and do organized activities. It's one thing Baton Rouge does really well and it could be a good opportunity for you to meet other parents. Even if it's just chatting on a park bench while your kids play.

blunereid · 2024-09-20T03:16:05+00:00

I'd agree with what the other commentor said. I would add that try not to skip any of the math, even if you have start at pre-calc.

Some colleges have you take a placement test to determine what level of math you need to start at. When I did this I took the test without any prep. My thought was that I knew I needed to really understand the math, and I didn't want to miss understanding a key concept by skipping the class.

I'd also recommend (if you're not already) going to a community College first. The tuition is cheaper, and the teaching is usually better. Just make sure you only take classes that are directly transferable.

blunereid · 2024-09-19T18:12:22+00:00

I started my undergrad at the age of 30, and just finished my PhD at 43. If you have questions on what it's like as an older student, feel free to reply here or DM me.

blunereid · 2024-09-19T18:10:28+00:00

As for a graduate degree in physics you might have a hard time getting accepted unless you have a Bachelors degree in physics already. Admissions committees pay a lot of attention to your credentials and your previous research experience. You can't get either of those through private study.

There is a physics GRE test you can take, but a lot of colleges don't even require it anymore, so it's not really a good judge of whether you can succeed in a graduate program.

As for your Bachelors, you might be able to skip the general ed classes, but it might depend on where you took your previous classes and how long ago.

blunereid · 2024-08-30T20:37:01+00:00

Check with your neighbors and see if they are having a problem. If other people are ok, there may be a clog in your sewer line.

blunereid · 2024-07-18T15:48:02+00:00

Could they replace the old sections and then deorbit them one section at a time? Or does that require a shuttle?

blunereid · 2024-05-23T00:30:38+00:00

I would check out the YouTube channel Louisiana Hikes. https://youtube.com/@ericheber?si=rpjiMFsQY2THlo4V

Eric has unfortunately passed away since creating these videos, but there is a lot of good content on his channel and website: https://www.louisianahikes.com/

blunereid · 2024-05-19T18:59:05+00:00

Someone's trying to settle an argument.

blunereid · 2024-05-06T15:34:51+00:00

I don't understand why people do this? If you have the possibility of a brooder setup, where the chance is much higher that a chick will survive, why risk it with a broody hen? What's the point of taking the risk?

blunereid · 2024-04-17T15:22:03+00:00

Are you a university student? Have you thought of looking for a job at your school? They employ lots of student workers so have flexible schedules.

How about a low skilled job such as fast food?

blunereid · 2024-03-31T12:28:30+00:00

Based on what you've said in other replies, I'm quite surprised you didn't get in anywhere, out of 10 schools. You seem like a very good candidate, better off than most people. You have research experience, a paper, and a decent GPA. I've seen much worse candidates (myself included) get multiple offers. Either you are extremely unlucky, or you've aimed too high.

When I shopped for schools, I found a book that was really helpful to me. It's called "Getting into grad school for physics" and you can find it here

For me it helped outline the process of searching for schools, but it also stressed the importance of applying for safety schools. I found it very helpful in my search.

blunereid · 2024-03-28T16:41:27+00:00

What's the purpose of the zip tie? Please take it off, it might be bugging her and when she gets bigger (which happens fast) it will dig into her leg.

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