This started how?  After being in graduate school for nearly six years (ouch, tell me about it), I look back and don't regret it one bit.  Sure, my stint could be shorter, but a year or two or three is nothing compared to the experiences and skills I have learned in graduate school.  However, I'm considered one of the lucky ones. 

Graduate school is a strenuous process in which we are overworked, underpaid, underappreciated, and must delay our reward for years.  In a talk by Jorge Cham (PhD Comics), he cites a study in which 58% of the graduate students have attempted suicide.  I personally know many students who have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, clinical depression, and a long list of physical ailments due to the rigors of graduate school.  My intentions for this site is to give graduate students a place to anonymously send in their horror stories, find ways to maintain mental, physical, and emotional health, how to live on a budget, and other random bits of useful information. 

How do you have find time for this?  I've come to the conclusion that I must have some hyperactive attention mental stimulation disorder.  I have to be doing something all the time.  This is evident in my long list of hobbies (dog training, dog sports, judging dog sports, teaching dog training, slalom skating, crossfit, autocrossing, horseback riding, and cooking to mention a few), and in the campaigns and clubs I have founded.  One night, I got bored and decided to put all that I learned in grad school into writing. 

I want to post a recipe, rant about my advisors/department/dean, or offer my advice and tips.  Will you post them?  Of course, this site is also intended to be a compilation from other pre/current/post grad students.  You will be cited for your contributions.  Rants will be anonymous.  Contact me: info@survivegradschool.com

Social Support from a bearded dragon.  Yes, it can happen. 

The Last Lecture by Dr. Randy Pausch - I can't begin to tell you how influential this video is to me.  If you're an educator, this video is a must view.  Watch the video, buy the book, incorporate this into your teaching and your life.   This man not only models how to teach, but he also models how to live.  We all need great mentors ( I'm lucky to have an entire handful), and this enthusiastic teacher is one I would like to add to my list, even if it is just through videos.  His life is one to be envied. 

Coming soon:

• Why do we do this to ourselves?
• A place to submit all your rants anonymously.
• How to survive financially on a graduate student salary.
• Entertaining on a budget
•  Making priceless gifts (literally)
• How to maintain your sanity.
• Finding Social support. 
• Things you can do when your advisor or department decides to pull a fast one.
• Who can you turn to for help in a crisis?
• What to do after grad school..... yes, there is such a thing.