Grad School Deconstructed

Clark and Steph chat with Dr. Tony Suarez, an assistant professor at Valparaiso University about his research looking at marriage and graduate school student experiences. Hosts and Tony discuss inherent barriers for coupled students, as well as ways to overcome these barriers and have healthy relationships while in graduate school.

In grad school, you get by with a little help from your friends. How do you find the network of individuals who eventually become your "people"? Join Steph, Clark, and their very special guest, Jose Luis Tapia-Fuselier Jr. (Joey), as they explore how to find friends on all levels through the graduate school experience.

In this episode, Clark and Steph share strategies for overcoming boring assignments and for pumping up PowerPoints in graduate school, through the use of technology and innovative online programs. Hosts also discuss how to foster creativity, work smarter, not harder, and utilize experience-based teaching/learning in classes.

It's finally here!! Part 2 of our conference discussion explores how to go from attendee to presenter! Clark and Steph serve the "t" about submitting proposals, common proposal submission procedures, dealing with proposal acceptance and rejection, and sharing the credit with proposal team members.

Every graduate student faces the dilemma of whether not to attend professional conferences. Per usual, Clark and Steph 'dish the deets' about the pros and cons of attending conferences, helpful tips when attending, how to prepare, and they share their own personal experiences from conferences. Part 1 of 2 explores conferences from the 'attendee' perspective. Look out for Part 2, where Clark and Steph explore what it's like to be a presenter at a professional conference!

As a graduate student, you will likely have to consider whether or not the option to apply for and/or accept a graduate assistantship (GA). In this episode, Steph and Clark get down 'n' dirty discussing the benefits and potential drawbacks of accepting a GA position. Join us for an honest discussion which reflects the voices of you, our listeners, about how to figure out if accepting a GA is right for you.

Was Theodore Roosevelt wrong when he said "comparison is the thief of joy"? Find out on this show! Hosts Clark and Steph deconstruct the nuances of competition and comparison in graduate school. Hosts discuss how to strengthen yourself in a cut-throat academic environment, using others as resources, and fostering meaningful relationships and experiences.

Steph and Clark conduct their first interview with Graduate Student Committee Co-Chair, Ashley Waddington. Ashley shares her extensive knowledge on common graduate student concerns such as transitioning from graduate student to professional, networking, and that ever-present imposter syndrome. Please join us for this informative and refreshing interview.

Sniffles and sneezes and fevers, oh my! In this episode of GSD, Clark and Stephanie discuss the all-too-familiar feelings of illness and how to navigate being sick while in graduate school. From common colds to extended illnesses, to planned periods away from campus – hosts share their experiences, offer practical advice, and admonish all of those students who continue to come to class, looking like death warmed over. (Stay home!)

Juggling relationships can lead to rough sailing as a graduate student. From peers to faculty to personal connections, how we develop and/or maintain these connections greatly impacts our grad school experience. In this episode, Steph and Clark explore the ways we shoot-the-(relationship)-rapids through forming and maintaining multiple relationships as grad students.