In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I discuss the financial challenges that first-gen, BIPOC, and low-income graduate students often face, particularly those who find themselves unable to graduate because they owe money to their university. I share strategies on how to become a “squeaky wheel” to access discretionary or emergency funds, highlight the importance of building a support network, and advocate for policy changes within institutions. Additionally, I provide a checklist of questions to help you anticipate and plan for financial costs, ensuring you are well-prepared by the time you graduate.

If you liked what you heard, you must also listen to episode 267 on the hidden costs of finishing grad school.  

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In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I sit down with Dra. Aurora Chang to discuss her journey from being an undocumented immigrant to becoming hyper-documentated. We delve into her experiences in academia, the concept of hyper-documentation, and how she now supports marginalized scholars in their writing. Dra. Aurora shares insights into the emotional and psychological costs of over-documentation, her personal battles and triumphs, and the evolution of her mission to help others find their authentic writing voice. We also explore the importance of vulnerability, the impact of cultural relevance in writing support, and how to lean into tensions to achieve alignment in life and work.

If you liked what you heard, listen to episode 311 on how to overcome writer’s block, episode 293 on ways to overcome dissertation writing anxiety, and download my long-term writing success bundle. 

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You can connect with Dra. Aurora at the following links: 

https://aurorachang.com/

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https://solitary-bonus-36399.myflodesk.com/ihybpn6olk

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*The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for therapy or other professional services.* 

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In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I discuss action-oriented executive functioning skills to help you move from thinking to doing. This is part two of a special mini-series where I share practical strategies for task execution. I cover three key skill areas: task initiation and planning (your ability to begin tasks and map out necessary steps), organization and time management (creating systems for materials/information and allocating time effectively), and inhibitory control and emotional regulation (resisting impulses and managing emotions).

For each skill area, I provide concrete strategies including the five-minute rule, backwards planning, digital organizing systems, and distraction-blocking tools, among others. I emphasize that strengthening these executive functioning skills benefits everyone—whether you're a student, professional, or anywhere in between—as they help you effectively plan, focus, remember, and manage your actions across all areas of life.

If you liked what you heard, check out episode 238 on executive functioning skills 101, episode 237 on how to time block, and episode 312 on what to do when time blocking doesn't work for you.

You may also benefit from my productivity resource bundle or my spoonie and neurodivergent productivity kit.

Sign up for Office Hours with Dra. Yvette here. 

Get your free copy of my Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit here.

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*The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for therapy or other professional services.* 

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In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I discuss essential executive functioning skills for mastering your mental workspace. They include: working memory (your brain's capacity to temporarily hold and manipulate information), attention control (sustaining focus while filtering distractions), cognitive flexibility (adapting to changes), and metacognition (thinking about your thinking). For each skill, I offer practical strategies such as externalizing information through concept maps, working in timed focus blocks, developing alternative pathways, and regular self-reflection. I also stress that everyone's executive functioning varies based on factors like energy levels, sleep, and nutrition. This is part 1 of a special mini-series so you won’t want to miss the next episode where I’ll cover output-related skills to help you take action, including planning, organizing, time management, and emotional regulation. 

If you liked what you heard, check out episode 238 on executive functioning skills 101 and episode 295 on monthly reflection questions to achieve your goals.

Sign up for Office Hours with Dra. Yvette here. 

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*The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for therapy or other professional services.* 

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In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I offer a deep dive into the graduate school application process, answering all of your questions from planning your application timeline to securing strong recommendation letters and even funding your education. I also share insights on finding the right program, crafting standout application materials, and preparing for life in grad school. This episode is jam packed with practical advice to help you navigate the complexities of grad school admissions with confidence and strategy. 

If you liked what you heard, check out the following related blog posts on how to write a competitive CV for grad apps and 20+ ways to fund your graduate education. I also highly recommend that you check out my podcast playlist full of top episodes that will help you apply to grad school. 

Sign up for Office Hours with Dra. Yvette here. 

Get your free copy of my Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit here.

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*The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for therapy or other professional services.* 

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In this episode, I interview Dianni Hall, a queer solo budget backpacker and second-generation Latina, who has lived a nomadic lifestyle for nearly six years. She shares her journey from nearly pursuing grad school with an offer in hand to living a nomadic lifestyle, offering practical tips on budget-friendly travel, freelancing, and embracing one's full identity. We also explore the importance of prioritizing joy while navigating nontraditional career paths.

If you liked what you heard, check out episode 156 on going from study abroad to life in the Netherlands and episode 137 on the pros and cons of getting a master’s degree abroad. 

Sign up for Office Hours with Dra. Yvette here.

Get your free copy of my Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit here.

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https://stan.store/whileshesaway?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaZFwmzIvNUmaEwuSylj12Rh3AYU7Zq4j7nCHc0VSxbZKfr3eC7Tggaosew_aem_2j0muGr5Op6SJCUgmqvV8w

This podcast is a proud member of the Atabey & Co. Network.

*The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for therapy or other professional services.* 

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In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I share eight flexible time management strategies for individuals who want to move beyond time blocking. They include task batching by energy levels, priority-based to-do lists, adaptive timers, and more. This episode aims to offer practical alternatives for better managing your time and increasing productivity while acknowledging individual needs and circumstances of first-gen students, neurodivergent students, and individuals with busy lives. Join me for a fun discussion that's designed to help you find what works best for you.

If you liked what you heard, check out episode 301 on gentle productivity tips for chronic illness, autism, and ADHD and episode 237 on how to timeblock.

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*The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for therapy or other professional services.* 

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In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring Podcast, I help you overcome writer’s block by addressing common writing challenges faced by grad students and early career professionals. I then share several tailored strategies based on different learning styles—visual, auditory, read/write, and kinesthetic—to help you get unstuck in your writing process. From mind mapping and voice recordings to journaling and using whiteboards, you'll discover approaches that align with how your brain best processes information. Plus, I share insights from my personal experiences and tips on overcoming perfectionism, analysis paralysis, fear of criticism, and time management issues.

If you liked what you heard, check out episode 198 on active reading strategies and episode 280 on perfectionism in grad school.

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Get your free copy of my Grad School Femtoring Resource Kit here.

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You can take your own learning style quiz here.

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*The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for therapy or other professional services.* 

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In this episode of the Grad School Femtoring podcast, I discuss the importance of creating a mentorship map, especially for first gen, BIPOC, and neurodivergent grad students, postdocs, and early career professionals. I introduce the concept of a mentorship map, which is a visual tool that helps document and categorize your mentorship support system. I explain how to create your own map, share examples from respected programs, and offer a free download of my holistic femtorship map. I also address how to overcome common challenges in finding mentors. Listen in to learn how to build a strong support network and ensure your success. 

If you liked what you heard, check out episode 287 on what to do if you’re struggling to secure mentors and episode 212 on holistic critical mentorship.

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Get your free copy of my Holistic Femtorship Map here.

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You can check out some other mentorship maps at the links below: 

https://www.ncfdd.org/ncfddmentormap

https://gems-program.org/mentor-map

This podcast is a proud member of the Atabey & Co. Network.

*The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for therapy or other professional services.* 

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In this episode, we welcome back Dr. La'Tonya “LT” Rease Miles to discuss her new memoir, Smart Girl: A First-Gen Origin Story. We cover all kinds of topics from impactful moments in LT’s youth, to  influential women in her family, and even the importance of integrating personal passions into academic life. She also shares how her story challenges traditional first-gen narratives and how intentional she was with her word choice, allusions, and multimodal ways to experience the book. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about redefining what it means to be first-gen and the power of storytelling. 

If you liked what you heard, check out episode 177 where LT shared more about supporting nontraditional students and adult learners. 

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You can connect with LT and purchase her book at the following links: 

https://www.smartgirlbook.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/latonyareasemiles/

https://www.instagram.com/firstgenandjuice/

This podcast is a proud member of the Atabey & Co. Network.

*The Grad School Femtoring Podcast is for educational purposes only and not intended to be a substitute for therapy or other professional services.* 

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