Blk + In Grad School

It's NOT a rewind! Took a small break from writing my dissertation to bring this episode.

Press play for a Lesson From The Trap, a quick update on my life and of course what's been working for me as I write for my life!

If you're noticing that you're experiencing dips in motivation that are impeding your progress, definitely give this episode a listen.

Listen in and if you're up for it -- sign up here.

This episode gets straight to the point by digging deep into a problem we all face at one point or another in our grad school journey - writer’s block. It doesn’t matter if you love writing or hate it; writer’s block will come kicking in your door and live in your brain rent-free for as long as it wants.

Enter Dr. Lacy, founder of Qual Sisters. Qual Sisters is a writing and coaching platform developed to help you create and finish your dissertation. Through structured guides, accountability coaching, and consistent writing practices, Dr. Lacy will help you overcome the writer’s block that’s getting in the way of your success.

As a quick credentials recap, Dr. Lacy went to Elmhurst College for undergrad, Illinois State University for her Masters and the University of Georgia for her Ph.D. In this episode, you’ll hear how she struggled with writing as a first-year Ph.D. student and gain some skills to help you write more productive, more often.

This week's episode:

Let’s talk credentials. If you’re finishing up your graduate school application, you need to take a

good look at what you put together. Will the admissions council know what you’re bringing to the

table? This week’s episode gives you the ingredients for creating and submitting a strong

application. From having a well-put-together curriculum vitae to taking the admissions council on

a journey through your research and experience, Allante’ lists exactly what you need to stand up

and stand out amongst your competition. Take notes when listening in for this recipe of success,

we all know how missing one step can completely ruin the perfect meal. Don’t have time to write

it down because you’re always on the go like Allante’? Sign up for her seven-day e-mail

course, “Get to Grad School,” (hyperlink) which covers credentials as well.

This week’s episode also answers a question from a Twitter follower who asked for tips on dealing with people who are, to be frank, annoying! Allante shares her admittedly passive approach--listen to find out what it is!

This week’s Lesson’s from the Trap come from an oldie but goodie “Lose My Mind,” by DMX.

Channel your inner gangster on your noise-canceling headphones when everyone - your

teachers, peers, family members, significant other, whoever gets on your very last nerve.

In honor of Insecure's #SeasonByeve this week's rewind comes from the archives way back in 2018 when Blk + in Grad School collaborated with WokeSTEM for “Hella Intersections: The Digital Insecure Kickback”. This isn't your typical Insecure chat. It was a really dope, really big kickback talking about INSECURE...and not just the #basic stuff, but the intersectionality of the narratives that the show powerfully brings to life. No spoilers here!

*IT'S A REWIND*

Meet Alana, a social worker that balanced her coursework and full-time work while in grad school with very intentional self-care. During a conversation inside Blk + in Grad School's private community, The Scholar Circle, Alana brought up the topic of rest and how it differs from restoration. In this week's episode, we dive into these two different types of self-care and practices you can implement in your self-care routine.

Can you talk about a mind-blowing moment?

This episode is formally called Emotional Rollercoaster because sometimes grad school can leave you feeling like a Mr. Krab’s meme.

In Allanté's journey, November definitely had some twists and turns, and with it came a range of emotions. In this episode, she shares an update about everything that has gone down, from a guilt-free personal trip to the internal struggle of combating negative self-talk. There were more than thug tears shed on campus in November by Allanté and this episode explores how to handle emotional responses in professional settings and how to create an ICE (in case of emergency) tribe to help you through when your own mind is only serving up negativity.

"I know there's always rooting before blossoming." - Tracy G.

This affirmation is a whole word, which inspired this week's episode on setting your goals. If you're a scholar, rooting is the planning and blossoming is the goal achieved. That goal could be a paper, a research project, building your network, etc. Setting a goal in our heads may be as easy as writing that goal down however the process of actualizing the goal can be frustrating and confusing without some careful considerations taken into account. This week Allanté shares three critical pieces to set goals so that you'll actually accomplish them, not just set and forget.

You can download the free goal setting workbook at https://www.blkingradschool.com/goal-oriented

Moving to a new city can be hard, so is finding a place with all your personal comforts. Don’t worry though, Allanté’s got your back! Preparation is your friend so the first step is getting ahead of the curve and really understanding your needs and wants. Listen in this week for the 6 critical steps to success as you prepare to step forward into your new city. If you want advice and insight into finding a place (within your budget), making new friends in your city, or getting ready to start a program, you’ll get what you need this week.

Lesson From The Trap: Never Recover - Lil Baby ft. Gunna & Drake

“Look at my story man, no one can write it. Now I see a million I don’t even get excited.”

P.S. --check out Episode 70: Making that Graduate Stipend Stretch for an in depth analysis of how to stack your coins and let your money work for you the looong way.**

If you’re used to using social media solely for your personal enjoyment with memes, quotes and the like, it’s a different ballgame when it comes to using it as a rising thought leader (that’s you!). This episode explores some of the ways you can navigate the Twitterverse, with some practical tips on handling clapbacks and finding your community. Listen in for advice to find your people--fellow grad students, faculty and researchers in your field and beyond. Learn some best practices or easy ways to engage when you’re just getting started with your professional Twitter.

Issa Rewind! Enjoy a quick update from Allanté and a list of communities to support you along your journey.

Grad School doesn’t usually come with a course on how to navigate all the things that come along with it. These things are often described as the “hidden curriculum” — things you’re just expected to know or somehow learn on your own—or else. Sometimes these topics are addressed briefly during orientation, sometimes it does not. Why does it feel like, sometimes, we’re all we’ve got? And we’re kinda new here, but we ARE here.

So who exactly am I talking about when I say we? The many communities that have come into fruition over the years to serve graduate students beyond graduate school. This week I share the organizations I’m in as well as many that I admire! The many communities that have come into fruition over the years to serve graduate students beyond graduate school. This week I share the organizations I’m in as well as many that I admire!

If you looking for your people within the academic space you might find them in this episode.

In this episode I mention a bunch of communities to consider joining. Get the full list at blkingradschool.com/podcast/121

Just two more weeks to join The Scholar Circle until next year! Get more information at blkingradschool.com/jointsc