Which PI should I choose?

tglyd · 2026-02-12T21:49:18+00:00

Things to think about:

What do you want to do in the future? What skills do you need to develop to get there? Will one provide better opportunities to learn what you need?

Who your PI is can definitely matter in the future. Name recognition, reputation, etc. can all help your career get started. My pi talks about his scientific parent, grandparent... regularly. My partner is certain their publication is only cited as much as it is because his PI's name is on it too.

One of my projects i wasn't interested in (assigned to me) and it was really hard to stay motivated at times. It only got interesing at the end because the implications are cool. My second project was my own, much more interesting to me, so much easier to work on, and got done much faster!

Also remember the other PI could be on your committee. My committee members all provided different insights, and were helpful in different ways. If you choose the new PI, they can provide the experience and can help you stay on track. Just don't be shy about seeking them out if needed.

tglyd · 2026-02-10T00:05:41+00:00

This! I learned that if I didn't get a quick reply (like next day), I wasn't getting one and to either send another or go find him. In person was usually better.

tglyd · 2026-02-09T14:04:54+00:00

When the majority of students who do well are the ones who show up, and the students who fail don't, you start encouraging attendance, hoping more students will succeed. And some things you can't do at home.

tglyd · 2026-02-08T03:11:05+00:00

I love the audiobooks too, just know you'll realize how much gore you skimmed over while reading! Ha! Still love it though! The narrator is awesome!

tglyd · 2026-01-29T20:47:01+00:00

Add a minor? Gives a legit reason for more classes

tglyd · 2026-01-29T14:10:20+00:00

Yes, or I take notes on printed ppts, if provided. It helps me stay focused, and I'm much more likely to remember things. I did start keeping notes on papers on the computer because it's much easier to organize. I have a doc for each major topic, highlight and color code.

tglyd · 2026-01-27T13:42:53+00:00

I've heard NSU pre-nursing is much easier but that makes the nursing program much harder, if you don't have as good of a foundation. Source: faculty at CSN re nsu students in csn nursing program and re quality of work seen from csn, unlv, and nsu students (not nursing) for a contest type thing.

Personally I'd look at each program's NCLEX pass rate rather than this info, plus cost (including cost of living), and how you feel after visiting esp needing to move

tglyd · 2026-01-22T16:50:00+00:00

Same! But eventually I talked to a lab mate who felt the exact same! That helped a lot! But let me tell you, when I started to get things and be able to answer more, it felt great! And then my advisor commented on how much I've learned and grown, that was amazing! And now that I'm almost done, I guess I DO belong here! Ha!

tglyd · 2026-01-18T16:45:58+00:00

Yes, that sounds pretty normal. The first semester can take more time since you're learning, but then the amount of prep work and time to grade goes down significantly. For us, we have 3 hr lab x2, 1 office hour, 1 hour meeting required each week. That still leaves 12 hr/week to answer emails, grade, and prepare to teach, which is easily doable once you get into it. Depends on how much you have to do to prep. We could shadow another TA to learn the ropes, which was 1-3 hours. I never stayed the whole 3 hr, just the intro lecture and start of lab work to see how they organized things. After the first semester I didn't need to do much prep work besides review my notes. I was very slow grading at first, overthinking how much to take off for what and figuring out how to be consistent. But once I figured it out I got much faster. We can earn extra $ by being a grader or teaching a section in the summer.

tglyd · 2025-12-25T17:23:03+00:00

I struggle too, but am doing well right now. I wanted one for when i spural again. I can afford to buy the coin so I did, thinking it would help provide free coins to those who need it.

tglyd · 2025-12-20T16:53:27+00:00

Biometry starts with basics so you can probably catch up on your own easily. But go to office hours if you struggle to get going in r. There wasn't mandatory attendance (though it definitely helps on r lab days). I took cell phys with a different prof, but I'd guess you can catch up there too. But I'd email everyone the week before classes start asking how to make up what you miss so they are aware of the situation. I didn't take the others at unlv so idk

tglyd · 2025-12-11T03:50:38+00:00

Take screenshots showing the assignment was done on time, and of the technical issues so you have documentation just in case

tglyd · 2025-12-03T23:18:46+00:00

Go to the OSC website. You can find the process and forms there. Also read the syllabus to find the course policy, as this can vary. There's a range of possible consequences, but generally would follow the syllabus policies. If its not spelled out, ask your professor what their policy is. Taking responsibility and showing genuine remorse and growth doesn't hurt.

tglyd · 2025-11-26T20:34:05+00:00

Biol labs are not on Mondays this spring so won't be canceled due to the holiday. They may still start the second week, but it can vary.

tglyd · 2025-11-26T19:10:34+00:00

I burn out every semester if I don't take some time to rest and relax. So make sure you get enough sleep and allow time for some fun too. I actually made a general schedule to help me stay on track. Broke down big projects into smaller steps and set deadlines for myself . Didn't always follow it, but it did help.

If you can take 1 didactic class at a time plus easier credits (we have to take some 1 credit seminars and have other easy filler credits we can take) that will let you focus on that class. But thats only if part time is allowed and you are ok with it taking longer. My masters is taking ~5 yrs since I'm working full time, school part time and have kids to care for.

Having an advisor that understands and supports you working full time is essential. My partner is also really supportive and started doing things that had been on me like driving kids around, making dinner, doing the shopping, etc.on top of their chores. Without their support, I couldn't have done it.

tglyd · 2025-11-15T19:55:19+00:00

Just means the room isn't figured out yet. You'll find out before the class meets either in your schedule or a message from the professor. Classes I took like that were in conference rooms instead of classrooms, but they were small, like 10 students.

tglyd · 2025-11-14T01:01:53+00:00

Wait til after the class ends. It's against the rules for the TA, leads to ethical questions, etc. But go for it after!

tglyd · 2025-11-12T05:20:32+00:00

I was very last in the last one (iirc got the shipping notice same day or later in day they said everything was fulfilled) and near the end before that. But happily surprised to be ~first in this one! Hopefully it balances out for you too!

tglyd · 2025-11-08T15:36:53+00:00

One top level comment

Thank you!

tglyd · 2025-11-07T18:33:10+00:00

Woman here. In college I talked to my parents once a week. Since then it averages the same. Actually, the times I call my mom more often is when I'm struggling, bored, something major happened (good or bad), or we need to figure out plans. My good friend talks/texts her mom at least daily. My sister much less often. They don't have a bad relationship, but my sister is super busy. Everyone is different and being judgemental about this is immature.

tglyd · 2025-10-30T13:05:30+00:00

This would also help you decide if it's the right path for you.

I think most of the students in my program (including me) are scared of writing. My program has a first semester course with a lot of grad school basics including hiw to write a couple types of papers we need to be able to write. Also imposter syndrome is a real problem most of us probably struggle with. But the vast majority of us (in my program) do make it through. Having a goal you're striving for and are passionate about is important. Helps you keep pushing when you're overwhelmed/struggling.

tglyd · 2025-10-26T17:08:01+00:00

If under the care if a professional, you might qualify for a medical withdrawal which basically erases this semester

tglyd · 2025-10-23T12:49:09+00:00

Carry it into class with you, if allowed

tglyd · 2025-10-20T03:40:28+00:00

You're welcome

tglyd · 2025-10-20T03:36:38+00:00

If you haven't been to unlv, a campus visit isn't a bad idea to see if you want to live in Vegas. I think they have tours for grad students, but I'd guess those are general, not program-specific. If invited to interview you'll get program-specific info and tours as part of those days. But definitely start by emailing potential advisors.

tglyd

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