In addition to providing a stable funding guarantee, the department and college offered a number of additional travel and research funding opportunities that contributed substantially to the quality of my work.
My advice to any prospective grad student is to not rush into graduate school without some self-reflection about your passions, what you love doing and what you would like to study. This is because grad school can be a challenging place but also incredibly rewarding as it teaches you how to read critically, learn systemically, and think deeply. As such, I invite potential students to engage in some introspection and self-reflection about your motivations, desires, and commitments as this is a weird (but wonderful) experience distinctive from both undergrad and from other jobs so its important to not rush into anything without thinking.
Volunteering and trying out different career experiences is essential to knowing what you like/what you are good at. I often volunteer my time to entomological societies or writing blog posts for the public so I can gain more skills in scientific communication. Practicing your skills is what helps build them up.
My advisor was more like my mentor. He is very open, honest and helpful, which made me very comfortable to express my ideas and also to discuss different issues concerning my academic life.
Undergraduate research opportunities come highly recommended as they offer individuals a direct glimpse into the world of research and academia, allowing them to evaluate their own inclinations towards this field. Pursuing a PhD is not a path suited for everyone. A fourth-year project can serve as a litmus test to determine if this path aligns with one's aspirations. If it doesn't, one can easily leave without further commitment. However, if it resonates, exploring the possibility of joining a research group that fosters a strong connection becomes crucial. While enjoying the research itself is important, equally important is finding enjoyment in the people one works with, particularly their principal investigator.
Identify your passion and reason(s) for wanting to become a graduate student. Write them down, type it up, post it large and visibly on your desk or wherever you do your work so that it remains a constant reminder of why you are doing what you are doing and will motivate you through the hard times that every graduate student has and does go through, so that you can always see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Lean in, stay curious, and be open to the opportunities that will come your way. Don't be afraid to reach out to your professors for ideas or support - the faculty affiliated with this program are well connected and eager to continue strengthening their existing networks. Your cohort will also become like family. Don't be afraid to open up and share, ask questions, and provide support for each other. Lastly, embrace all the prompts for reflection. Those are the opportunities to think critically about yourself, your work, and apply meaning to what you've learned. Enjoy the ride!
Do your research: on the lab, on the faculty, on the department and on the city itself. There are so many different programs/departments and it's imperative you know what you're getting into. Speak to students that are currently in the lab or have recently graduated to get an idea of how things work. There are going to be some tough times in your program and you want to make sure you're surrounded by people that want to support you and help you get through, to be successful.
