Anyway, my topic is for people in grad school: You go to your class sessions/whatever else your grad school entails, and then you go home. Okay, so you study. But grad school is a different animal from undergraduate life. You kinda don’t have a life? I don’t know if I’m going about this wrong, but help me out here. What the hell am I supposed to do, other than study? Given that its not like I have that much time to go join an olympics training flexes muscle or much time to diligently dedicate myself to one thing, and there is not much to do around here. I’m sorta tired of being locked in my apartment with so much work. Like I said, grad school is a different animal, so cramming last minute for an exam is not a good idea. You want to really study and absorb it and practice it. So most of your time is dedicated to your education. Pretty crazy, ain’t it? But that’s just how it is. As long as you want to do well. If you don’t care if you pass with the minimum, then you’ll party, I’m sure, but that’s not my gameplan. So, I’m bored. I’m adjusting to a totally new lifestyle. And I need some normality. There is only so much TV I can watch.
PCG I had a blast in grad school, and this was when i was in school fulltime..are you working also or just in grad school, if its just grad school then really you should have time to socialize and take part in activities. Diff unis have different atmopshere, and that may be a factor or in your particular department.
In business schools, social life and interaction is a huge part of the experience and all kinds of events take place regulary and ppl do stuff informally as well.
First thing is to set your priorities
.......How about joining sports club......I love to play table tennis.
participate in fund raising activities.....fun and productive as well.
community service....clubs
join student council and help others.
Participaing in art and cultural events.
You know, I was in two very intensive grad school programs that I completed in 1.5 years, so I had a lot of coursework and very little free time. Also, I was about 2.5 hours from home, so I felt like every free day or two, I would just go home.
I didn't invest the same amount of time or effort into making friends or establishing relationships in graduate school. Those friends who were more outgoing than I kept in touch with me, and therefore I stayed in touch with them. I do regret that I didn't put in more effort into socializing, but I'm not sure I could've managed the degree so while being as social as I was in undergrad.
Usually departments will do different social events, you can invite your classmates over or go over to their places. If it's a big university, clubs and such are open to grad students as well as undergrad students. It's a good way to get in touch. Check out local dining places, etc.
I have a very intense program that gives me very little, if any time, for fun stuff. But I made time to do certain things with others.
My roomates used to have movie nights, once every two weeks. It didn’t always work when some of us were super behind, but we tried our best to keep these nights free. We’d watch them on a laptop and would have fun interpreting them after.
Other than that, I find that having lunch or dinner with friends is fun. Sometimes I have lunch by myself and someone I don’t know will come sit at my table and start a conversation.
Finally, some of my other friends get together to play a sport weekly and some on a daily basis (like basketball). I myself plan to go jogging with my roomate and/or one of my neighbors who offered to jog with me. I think you should find time to exercise because you tend to sleep less and have more energy when you workout regularly.
The other fun activity which is a routine activity is to go shopping with friends, its necessary and the company can make it fun. Or go to a school activity with a friend.
I also find that when I take breaks between studying in the library, I will walk around and talk to friends, see how they are doing, share a laugh, etc. It's great and makes me feel like I did some socializing, despite not really having much of a social life here. A few minutes can make a big difference.
I find that in graduate school, you don’t have a lot of spare time, but you can make the routine activities more entertaining when shared with others.
There are social events organized by some of the students, but most involve getting drunk at local bars/clubs, which I know I wont enjoy. Plus, I'd end up being their safe driver.
There are organizations, etc etc to get involved with, but school just started, so it will take some time for me to get involved in things. But that's not what I'm worried about. I've always done well with leadership stuff, etc, so I'll be fine in that department.
Its more of what do I do with my personal time? Keep in mind, I'm not living anywhere near my friends, and they're also studying at night just like I am. So its not like I can crash over people's places randomly. People have crap to do in the week. As I do as well.
And its an intensive grad school program. Nothing like going to class in the morning and then partying in the evening. Nah. I have a roommate at the moment, so I'm not totally alone, and I do go out and hang out with friends. But you can't do that every day.
I think I'm just going to subscribe to netflix or pick up some good books or something, to give myself a break. Thanks anyway.
PCG yes grad skool is an animal . you need t study hard and practise . but then you can always watch movies , join internet forums on daily basis . a new forum everyday . read paper , spend time on magazines . talk to women on the phone . make a new dish for yourself .
have a part- time job .
join sports club etc . relax yourself
and after every thing you have to study hard like an animal :)
PCG grad students in some of the most intense programs find time to have a life outside. It takes
time mgmt
social skills/ opprtunities to socialize or be active in things on likes
university/city culture
person's own style, view ability
If people going to b school fulltime, and working part time can find time, residents putting in crazy hours find time, and even consultants and investment bankers putting in 70 hour weeks find time to have a life..grad students can as well.
Grad school is different from undergrad, so much more research and self-contained study in most disciplines. So in alot of ways, it will be so much tougher on your personal life. I dont know what your major is but there are always options for grad students no matter what the discipline...start a study group which will discuss topics of interest to your major, you could place an inexpensive ad in the local community newspaper with an announcement of a "focus group" to talk about your area of interest. Plan to meet at a local starbucks or diner. I know one very shy biophysics guy, going for his PhD who does this kind of thing and as shy as he is, he's met many people this way. Just an idea, its hard to come up with more without knowing what your major is and what your interests are....perhaps you could make the topic of your thesis something that will require community involvement? Get local businesses/schools involved? Ie., if you are an international business major, go to a local place that does some kind of international business and ask for their assistance, if you're in the health field, visit local doctors etc....people who are established in their fields are always happy to help an "up-and-comer" so if you take advantage of that, you will not only further yourself in your field but you'll also meet people of like mind.
Mamaof3, I guess you and some others have the wrong idea. Its not about having a social life. What I'm doing is very people oriented, so that's pretty much all we do. We deal with people day in and day out, and I dont want to get into specifics about it for privacy reasons. So, I'm not looking for "fraaandship" or crap like that. Just some ideas on how to entertain oneself and the ideas should NOT involve Gupshup.
Just an update, I've been watching TV shows and experimenting with new recipes. Eh, works.
Learn to play
Guitar,
Dance - buy some dance leaning videos/CDs,
Painting
All these activities you can try out all by yourself and if you are a good swimmer try your dance moves in swimming pool, at first it’s tiring and frustrating but after a while you will find your rhythm. Don’t force it just be yourself and wait for it.
Ooooo I always wanted to learn to play a guitar! Maybe I should put that down on my christmas wishlist, given that I don't have enough money to buy myself a guitar or guitar classes.
You need short shots of stimulation! Have an intellectual conversation with a friend. Go mountain biking once a month! Have a brush with the law to get some ardrenaline pumping! Do something that's completely random!
No, seriously! You know you wanna! Then you can go back your ususal self and still feel good about life!
PCG, do what I do, have a rewards system for yourself.
I used to do it a while back but these days, life is too busy and satisfying to worry bout stimulating activities.
So set out goals, if you acheive 'em treat yourself to something you like.
Doesnt really mean hangning out with people, there are so many things you can do on your own.
