Ask Slashdot: Advice For Summer Before Ph.D. Program?

First time accepted submitter tookul03 writes "I'm a graduating senior from a small New England liberal arts college, and have secured a spot in a Biological Science Ph.D. program for the next five years. I realize this coming summer will be my last out of the lab for a long time and am not sure If I am interested in doing something related to my research interests or use it as an opportunity to find some new hobbies/interests. I figured the Slashdot community had a number of individuals who were/are in a similar position (albeit different fields) and could shed some light on things they (or others) had done. Thanks."

Comments

Start working on your dissertation

[students]

The sooner you start, the sooner you will finish and get a job that pays better or is more prestigious.

Re:Start working on your dissertation

[pesho]

I sure hope you are joking.

Re:Start working on your dissertation

[Anonymous Coward]

But not too much. Budget some time for a genuine holiday, and when that's over, get to work. I would neither do work the whole summer nor relax the whole summer. The more you can manage to get done before you "officially" start, the better. It will save you on the deadlines later, but keep in mind this is a multi-year marathon and you have to pace yourself. Being overworked when you start is also a bad idea. So, balance it.

Re:Start working on your dissertation

[spikenerd]

As soon as he's finished it's a never ending grind...

Right. People enjoy what they're good at. He's going for a Ph.D. Those are the kind of people that are good at making an impact. If we were good at "enjoying life", we would have pursued the path of greatest pleasure instead of the path of greatest impact. If he's not happier grinding, he's on the wrong path.

Have fun.

[Hatta]

I travelled across the country going from music festival to music festival the summer before I went to grad school. You will have plenty of time to do something research related. Just relax and have a great fucking time, you've earned it.

Reconsider.

[steevven1]

Turn back while you still can.

Re:The PhD is not an end-point

[B1ackDragon]

Having also just completed my PhD, this is hands-down the best advice in the thread for what to do in grad school. (I'm not so sure it's super important to do it all before you arrive on site though.)

One thing I can suggest as you prepare is to get your personal life together. I went through a divorce during my phd, and it definitely didn't help the process: be aware that doing a PhD can stress your personal relationships and take some time to work that out with your significant other or others you're close with, if you can. It's a time when you will be stressing hard without a whole lot to show for it, monetarily or otherwise. Build a support network with friends and family, and via counseling services at your university if necessary (my "grad student support group" helped tremendously with my own difficulties, both personally and professionally).

Oh, and since you're going into biological sciences, a great way to prepare for an awesome career is to learn programming, motherfucker. (I suggest python.) The job market is tough for life sciences in general these days, but curiously not if they can program and work the command line... ;) (And while 5 years is a long time in science, starting now will still keep you at the forefront of that skillset.)