Mason Grad Insider

Congratulations, You Made It: Thank You for a Great Year!

Cydni Young — Thu, 04 May 2023 15:22:52 +0000

Congratulations, You Made It: Thank You for a Great Year! Cydni Young Thu, 05/04/2023 - 11:22

By Cydni Young

Wow graduate and professional patriots, we have really come so close to the end of the Spring 2023 semester and the end of the 2022-2023 academic year! First and foremost, congratulations for coming this far and coming to the end of another year. All of your hard work, time, effort, and perseverance throughout the year has not gone unnoticed and we ask that you please celebrate yourselves and provide yourself some grace as you crush finals season and end the semester strong. We have made a multitude of memories this year, from the kickoff with our annual Gradstravaganza event, to our Graduate Student Spring Picnic to mark the end of another wonderful year! During this busy yet exciting time of the year, there are so many wonders that are taking place. Many of you are graduating and are preparing to take transformative steps in your lives. Rather than it being a time of uncertainty, this should be a time of thrilling growth and development as you make these decisions - this I know is easier said than done. The world is full of endless possibilities and the great things that you will achieve have no bounds. This is very much true, but sometimes it is necessary to truly take the time to ruminate in your thoughts of these possibilities and understand what they mean for you, and how to approach the pathway of endless, exciting possibilities - this all while taking care of yourself in the process. This may be interesting to navigate - I for one have experienced it first hand even after my undergraduate graduation. With this, hopefully we can help relieve some of this weight with these tips on navigating life after graduation.

For the first tid-bit of advice, Bridges, from Forbes, uses one quote: “Don't let perfect be the enemy of good.”¹ What does this mean? Well, perfection is sometimes the aim of our own consciousness and overthinking tendencies, rather than being a necessity of the work at hand. Sometimes the best work you can provide is just getting it done, and that is okay. It serves as a sweet reminder that life isn’t perfect, so be easy on yourself when it comes to your goals and the work that comes with them. Don’t pressure yourself to achieve perfection, it will come as it comes, and know that you will get closer to your own version of perfection with time. This falls in line with the second tip of not being afraid to make mistakes.² We’re human and are creatures of habit, we strive for perfection, but mistakes make us even more human. We have to make mistakes in order to learn and they only strengthen us for the next endeavor. Think of mistakes as an opportunity for growth, rather than an instance of weakness, they happen to all of us.

The third tip is to cultivate your social skills.³ Watering your social life is something that I feel we are all learning how to navigate again and has become an interesting anomaly since the start of the pandemic. However, it is important to healthily and consciously engage in some form of social outlets when you can. Creating these relationships and forming these connections will help to continue building your social network, especially as you progress through your aspired field. You never know who you may meet and it could be the start of a lifetime connection. So the next time you are at an event, consider building on your connections and saying hi to someone you don't know! Going off of this one, the next is to develop a healthy lifestyle.⁴ Upon full entry into the workforce, life may become very much regimented and time-restricted, so it is important to set a daily routine in order to mediate your life tasks. This could include setting a day to shop for groceries and cooking healthy meals for yourself, or scheduling a few hours out of your day to do the things you love! The final tip is to never stop learning.⁵ View the world as a never-ending vessel for growth and absorb all the information and wisdom you receive from all people, things, and experiences you encounter. Continue to expand your mind to new things and adapt them in a way that will help to water your experiences and career aspirations. We will never stop learning, so embrace it and use it to your advantage.

Well, it’s official. It is now time to take the next step in your life. Whether that is your next year in grad school (like myself), or graduating into your aspired career, recognize all you have accomplished to get to this very moment. We may be in the midst of finals season, but keep your eyes on the prize and always remind yourself of what you are working so hard for…and even some well-deserved rest you’ll get afterwards! The world is your oyster, so don’t let it intimidate you, but let it fuel your drive to be the best you you can be. Be easy on yourself, get ready for the ride, and everything will fall into place exactly how it should. I’m wishing you all the best of luck and energy as you complete finals, and we’re rooting for you even beyond your journey as a Mason patriot!

Take care of you :)

Best of Wishes,

Cydni Young

1. Bridges, Frances (2018, April 28). The 5 Best Life Tips For College Graduates. Forbes, https://www.forbes.com/sites/francesbridges/2018/04/28/the-5-best-life-tips-for-college-graduates/?sh=38c16e7e5a83

Topics

graduate student life

Mason Grad Insider

Manage your Energy and Time with Strategic Rest

Cydni Young — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 19:04:36 +0000

Manage your Energy and Time with Strategic Rest Cydni Young Wed, 04/05/2023 - 15:04

By: Sonya Henry, Associate Director of Well-Being Programs, Center for the Advancement of Well-Being (CWB)

It’s been several weeks since spring break and we’re in the home stretch of the semester. In mid-March, I recall asking students and colleagues “Did you enjoy spring break?”, “Do you feel recharged?”, “What did you do to take care of yourself during that week?” While I received a variety of answers, most people shared that they relaxed or slept in and ultimately felt about the same several days after returning from the break. Hearing that the joy of a weeklong break dissipated within a few days disheartened me; however, I wasn’t completely surprised. This reminded me of the importance of rest, but also that we should be critical, creative, and strategic about the types of rest ¹ we give ourselves.

I know this to be true because I had these very same feelings in January after returning from the long and lovely holiday break. After a few days back into my normal routine, I no longer felt relaxed and recharged. This was both surprising and confusing to me. After a little research, I took the Rest Quiz ² based on the book, Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith. I realized that I needed to do things a little differently in order to get the proper rest that I needed.

When most of us hear the word rest, we typically think of its physical aspects. While sleep (naps included ³) is absolutely paramount to our health, there are indeed other important types of rest we must engage in to support our holistic well-being. According to Dalton-Smith, there are 7 distinct types of rest that we need in order to recharge and maximize our time and energy. Take the quiz ⁴ to see which types of rest you can focus on to better manage your life.

The 7 types of rest according to Dr. Dalton-Smith ⁵ are:

Physical: The chance to use the body in restorative ways to decrease muscle tension, reduce headaches, and promote higher quality sleep.
Mental: The ability to quiet cerebral chatter and focus on things that matter.
Spiritual: The capacity to experience God in all things and recline in the knowledge of the Holy.
Emotional: The freedom to authentically express feelings and eliminate people-pleasing behaviors.

Social: The wisdom to recognize relationships that revive from ones that exhaust and how to limit exposure to toxic people.
Sensory: The opportunity to downgrade the endless onslaught of sensory input received from electronics, fragrances, and background noise.
Creative: The experience of allowing beauty to inspire awe and liberate wonder.

While these definitions are great to learn about, below are a few tips for graduate students to improve your time and energy management based on each type of rest. I encourage you to discover your own unique rest practices as well!

Physical:

Develop a strong self-care routine that includes a healthy, balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate daily sleep.
If you notice additional tension in your body, be sure to stretch often and/or schedule a massage as a special treat.

Mental:

Schedule adequate breaks while studying and completing assignments. If you have a very long to-do list (which I’m sure you do), block similar tasks into chunks and switch the types of tasks you do in between. For example, if you dedicate 2 hours to writing, do chores around the house or run errands as a break before starting another two-hour chunk of reading or responding to emails, etc. These changes will allow your mind to rest while checking off items on your list.

Social:

Pay attention to your energy after engaging with family, friends, professors, and classmates. Try to spend more time with people that uplift you and add positive energy to your life.
Reduce (if and when possible) interactions with people who drain you and literally suck the life/energy away from you!

Sensory:

Take a break from Zoom, your cell phone, TV, and other tech devices. This could be at a specific time each day, for a specific amount of time or even a full day. Choose what works best for you, but try to disconnect to reduce external stimuli.
Develop a mindfulness practice by attending a Mindful Mason Moment or Koru Session ⁶ offered by the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being.

Creative:

Take time to engage in a creative hobby for its own sake. ⁷
Change your surroundings and scenery for a boost of novelty and inspiration.

Engage with art by visiting a museum or attending an open mic night or concert.

Spiritual:

Spend time in nature and marvel at the various types of creation on the planet.
If you belong to a faith-based organization, attend a service and connect with others in your community.

Emotional:

Pay attention to your mood and emotions. If you notice a persistent change, seek help.
GMU offers excellent mental and emotional health resources such as TimelyCare ⁸ and CAPS ⁹.

Most people take up studies in graduate school to improve their potential for professional success. The ability to manage your time and energy is a trait that many successful professionals possess ¹⁰. I know you’re busy juggling multiple competing priorities as a Mason graduate student. As you strive to seek a balance with everything you have on your plate, please remember to rest and do so regularly and strategically. After all, if you want to be and do your best, you must rest (just make sure it’s the right type)!

Sources:

https://www.wellandgood.com/types-of-rest/
https://www.drdaltonsmith.com/resources
“Grads, Give Yourself Permission to Nap,” Mason Grad Insider Blog, accessed September 1, 2020 https://graduate.gmu.edu/news/2022-01/grads-give-yourself-permission-nap
Ibid.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2021/nov/25/the-seven-types-of-rest-i-spent-a-week-trying-them-all-could-they-help-end-my-exhaustion
https://wellbeing.gmu.edu/resources-2/resources/mindful-mason-moments/
https://scoop.upworthy.com/kurt-vonneguts-heartwarming-letter-to-high-school-students
https://ulife.gmu.edu/timely-care/
https://caps.gmu.edu/
https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2023/03/26/psychologist-best-exercise-highly-successful-people-use-to-be-happier.html

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Mason Grad Insider

wellbeing

Center for Advancement of Well-Being

Time for Some (almost) Spring Cleaning: How to Organize Your Life in Grad School

Cydni Young — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 17:10:04 +0000

Time for Some (almost) Spring Cleaning: How to Organize Your Life in Grad School Cydni Young Thu, 02/09/2023 - 12:10

By Cydni Young

Happy New Year and Welcome Back Patriots!! On behalf of the Graduate Student Life team, we hope that you had a wonderful, relaxing winter break and that it brought you all the joy the world can offer. It is such a joy to see you all back on campus as we kick off the Spring 2023 semester and please know that we are HERE for YOU as you transition back into the grad school routine. With that being said, I definitely understand the struggle that can come along with coming back from break. You get used to the extra free time, the relaxation, the no homework vibes… all that is chill and not school-related. Once you come back, it can feel like it all is coming at you like a runaway train! We’ve all been there, but fear not. Getting back into your school week routine no longer has to be a thing of your nightmares with just a little organization and planning. Although it’s not spring yet, it’s never too early for a little spring cleaning. Get ready for some (almost) spring cleaning folks and learn the best ways to organize your grad school tasks and materials!

First things first, it is always a good idea to read over syllabi provided by your professors to get a sense of the required assignments and deadlines. Once you’ve done so, an article from Northcentral University, “5 Organizational Tips for Grad Students,” recommends that you develop a consistent schedule, in advance, using whatever calendar type you prefer¹. Whether it's buying a beautifully decorated planner from the craft store and writing out your schedule, or utilizing that handy calendar app on your phone, planning out your work, school, and life commitments supports you in cleaning up the perceived mess of assignments and holds you accountable for your own success.

Second on our list of tips comes from an article by author April Townson from Rowan University, which is maintaining a daily to-do list². In being a first-year grad student AND graduate assistant myself, this has personally been one of my all time saving graces. Each day, I make it a point to try and make note of all of the tasks that I plan to do that day before it begins, in order of current priority. This has made my life ten times easier in that I can really see my day laid out in front of me, rather than solely relying on my brain to sort it all out for me (I’ve been guilty of this more than I’d like to admit). Biggest secret? Try your best to think ahead of your days and write out your list the night before. I know, it’s just one more thing that cuts into your relaxation time, but trust me… you will thank yourself for the averted stress and extra time later! As Townson outlines, being able to check off each task as you go about your day can be very rewarding².

Our third and final tidbit has to do with a feat I think we all deal with in some capacity. Circling back to the article from Northcentral University, one major tip is to organize your emails¹. Emails have a funny way of starting out as a quiet messenger and then turning into this needy cascade of chaos. Really take the time to sort your emails as they come in, once again according to the level of priority (i.e. what is time-sensitive?), by way of organized folders, archiving old/spam emails, etc. Here is one example: with Microsoft Outlook being the prime communication platform at George Mason, there is a pin feature that can be utilized to highlight your important emails right when you receive them, giving them the celebrity treatment by placing them right at the top of your inbox. Now this feature… insanely useful. This has truly helped me to highlight the most pressing emails that I receive, everything from time-sensitive requests to obligations that I will have over an extended period of time. I’m human and the “forgetful bug” bites me quite often, so I can very much speak to the importance of cleaning up your inbox. Please save yourself the digital clutter and find your groove when it comes to navigating your emails!

Whew… are you still with me??? Spring cleaning is a beast, but hopefully these grad school organization tips will bring some peace as you get back to your daily routines. As you get into your spring cleaning, please remember the most important tip over all the ones I mentioned. Above all other things, give yourself grace and time to get adjusted. Remember, you must take care of yourself before you can take care of the world surrounding you - no one can do you like YOU can! Even when it comes down to organization, find what feels and works best for you and your life - there’s no perfect way that works for everyone. Sending you the utmost peace and good fortune as you move forward in the spring semester - you’ve got this!

Take care of you :)

Best of Wishes,

Cydni Young

¹Northcentral University. (2018, August 29). 5 Organizational Tips for Grad Students. Northcentral University Blog, https://www.ncu.edu/blog/5-organizational-tips-grad-students#gref

²Townson, April (2022, January 13). Unclutter Your Life - Tips for Staying Organized in Grad School. Rowan University. https://global.rowan.edu/admissions/rowannow/2022/01/stay-organized.html

Topics

Mason Grad Insider

How to Stay Jolly this Holiday Season!

Cydni Young — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 15:36:27 +0000

How to Stay Jolly this Holiday Season! Cydni Young Thu, 12/08/2022 - 10:36

By Cydni Young

It is official… the holiday season is upon us and ever since I was little, it has been my most favorite time of the year. With the music, the cultural festivities, the food, quality time with loved ones, even the fragrances of the season, I’ve always thought what’s not to love about this joyful season? However, although it can serve as a plethora of room for the jolliest of energy and memories, it can be a rather frantic and stressful time. We all have individual circumstances that could make this time of year either the best time ever or the most stressful time. Amidst all the holiday chaos, in whatever way that it manifests, my family and I have to find outlets that bring the joy of the season to full fruition. Whether you are traveling, cooking holiday meals, buying presents, and/or just marinating in the season as it feels good to your spirit, here are some tips to stay jolly, bright, and have fun as you approach the holiday season, however you celebrate!

In thinking about being jolly, the first thing that comes to mind connects to any holiday activities or traditions that bring YOU joy! An article by Peter Reisner, M.D., for the Mayo Clinic Health System, provides multiple ways to make your holiday season jolly, however two stood out to me:

Plan ahead for your holiday festivities!²Designating specific days within your schedule to approach specific obligations can truly allow you to immerse yourself in the holiday experience, without the last minute stress! Whether that's gift shopping, grocery shopping, attending holiday parties, or days for you to decompress, develop an organization plan to help with hectic holidays and have fun - which leads to another tip.
HAVE FUN!²However you observe the holiday season, always be sure that you are incorporating activities that you truly enjoy. The holidays should serve as a time for joy and relaxation wherever you can obtain it. Do you love watching holiday movies? Do that. Do you love baking holiday treats or decorating? Do that. Do you love just doing nothing? Do that! Whatever makes you feel the jolliest, allow yourself to have that time and be the merriest you can be!

These tips can be applied in a number of ways, as long as they suit you and contribute to your version of joy during the holidays.

Although I myself enjoy the holidays and immersing myself in all the things, I recognize that I tend to fall comfortably within the realm of extrovertism and occasionally, the realm of introvertism. I thoroughly enjoy engaging in all holiday activities, the family gatherings, decorating, cooking, outings with friends; however, I do appreciate ME time for sure. Wayne Chan, from the University of Manitoba, holds a conversation for all introverts of the season and when you may be feeling “Scrooge-like” as Chan expresses.³ One main theme of advice that Chan focuses on is our autonomy over the volume of holiday festivities: you can “Crank it up or down, or just turn it off. It’s your choice.” ⁴ We have so much more control over how much we engage in the holidays than we think we do. If it has dimmed your joy more than it has brightened it, or if the festivities are just not your thing, you CAN bow out and engage in the ways that make you feel the best. This could mean forming a new holiday tradition, taking a moment to yourself during the holiday party, or simply enjoying a hot drink in front of the fire for some downtime after the festivities. No matter what side of the coin you are on, there are ways to get the most out of the season, even if it means playing to the beat of your own drum.

The holidays truly manifest in different ways for all of us. There is no one way to celebrate and you may choose not to, it is your choice! Either way, you deserve to feel as jolly as possible and enjoy the season as you see fit. Take this time to reflect and identify those people, those things, that warm your spirit like nothing else, surround yourself in that warmth and know you deserve to be your jolliest self. In all realms of holiday festivity and celebration, I wish you the jolliest and brightest holiday season, you deserve it!

Take care of you and Happy Holidays!

Best of Wishes,

Cydni Young

¹California AfterSchool Network (2019, December 11). CAN Newsletter – Happy Holidays From CAN! (Image). CAN Newsletter, https://www.afterschoolnetwork.org/can-newsletter/can-newsletter-happy-holidays-can.

²Reisner, Peter (2019, December 4). 9 ways to make your holiday season jolly. Mayo Clinic Health System. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/9-ways-to-make-your-holiday-season-jolly.

³Chan, Wayne (n.d.). Parties? Bah, Humbug! An Introvert's Guide to Staying Jolly During the Holidays. University of Manitoba. http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~chanws/holiday-introvert.html.

⁴Ibid.

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Mason Grad Insider

Why Am I Tired? Because I am... Tired!

Cydni Young — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 18:41:29 +0000

Why Am I Tired? Because I am... Tired! Cydni Young Wed, 11/09/2022 - 13:41

In This Story

Austin A. Deray

By Cydni Young

Looking back on my last year of undergrad, I remember having many moments when I just had random moments of tiredness. I would try to narrow down everything I had going on in those moments… do I have a lot of schoolwork? Is my lab work picking up? Is there something medically wrong? Am I tired for a specific reason that makes sense? The answer… I was just tired! I found myself falling into a cycle of constantly comparing my life and work load to my peers to justify why I may have been a little extra groggy. In all reality, my sleepiness was just what it was and is the case even to this day sometimes… we all just get tired, and that’s okay! Of course you must follow the appropriate steps to debunk potentially more serious factors, otherwise please know that it is okay to recognize and accept that you are tired, even because of the things we cannot always see.

As previously mentioned, please know that in the absence of medical abnormality, it is OKAY to be tired sometimes. In navigating the difference between normal and abnormal fatigue, Ashley Abramson, a writer for Elemental, a health and wellness publication site, presents information from the assistant professor of medicine at Emory University School of Medicine, Dr. Sharon Bergquist. Dr. Bergquist claims that because a certain level of fatigue is normal, feeling tired is not always cause for alarm, saying, “I think people expect themselves to do too much, so they’re just fatigued because they’re mentally or physically exhausted.”¹ This statement highlights a major reason for our fatigue, ourselves. We put so much weight on ourselves in thinking that we have to be on 100% all the time, to keep up with joneses and demands of life without giving ourselves space to regenerate, however, in doing this, we can begin to think we should not take breaks in comparing another’s load to ours. Recognizing and accepting your mental fatigue is healthy, regardless of what our fast-paced society may think. Give yourself room to rest and admit that this is the case, and that is OKAY. If you’re wondering the best way to go about putting this into action, our own Assistant Director of Graduate Student Life, Austin A. Deray, shares the benefits of napping in “Grads, Give Yourself Permission to Nap”, navigating how to truly engage in this one of a kind art!²

When it comes to being tired, it may not always be something you can easily pinpoint or something you are conscious of. Like I mentioned, we can for sure just be tired on some days. However many times, it can be things like the company you surround yourself with, how much energy you pour into those around you and what you receive back. For instance Christina Donati, an author for the Thought Catalog, an online magazine site, uses this quote to emphasize the importance of maintaining a positive space:

“You need to regenerate, and however you decide to do that is your choice. So when someone questions you for how you’re acting, don’t let it tire you further. When you’re in a situation that isn’t bringing out the most positive, energetic version of you, don’t force yourself to stay.”³

This brings about an important conversation when it comes to company. Whether we notice it or not, who we choose to spend our time with, fill with our energy, let into our spaces, has a significant impact on our own energy levels. Being constantly surrounded by negativity or vessels who do not have your best interest at heart, as you do with them, is draining. This remains the case even as it relates to physical environments. Surround yourself with the best of energy to be the best version of yourself. When presented with these instances, know that you are worth all the goodness that you put out into the world and surround yourself with positivity to be your best self.

I hope that this moment of navigation in the realm of tiredness helps bring peace and normalcy. Know that everyone’s mental, physical, and emotional capacity is different and there is no comparison. Be gentle with yourself and know that it is okay to be tired. And with that… REST, as I will do because I am a bit tired myself… because I am tired! Know when to rest, surround yourself with the best, and I am sending my best for the best rest possible. :)

Take care of you!

Best of Wishes,

Cydni Young

¹Abramson, Ashley. (2019, November 18). A Brief Guide to the Reasons You're Always Tired. Medium: Elemental, https://elemental.medium.com/all-the-reasons-youre-always-tired-65daccf6436.

²Deray, Austin A. (2017, December 6). Grads, Give Yourself Permission to Nap. Mason Grad Insider Blog: Graduate Student Life: George Mason University: Grads, Give Yourself Permission to Nap.

³Donati, Christina. (2021, June 28). Breathe-It's Okay to Be Tired. Thought Catalog, https://thoughtcatalog.com/christina-donati/2019/07/breathe-its-okay-to-be-tired/.

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Mason Grad Insider

The Formulas for Checking in with Your Classmates

Cydni Young — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 16:49:32 +0000

The Formulas for Checking in with Your Classmates Cydni Young Wed, 10/12/2022 - 12:49

In This Story

Austin A. Deray

By Cydni Young

Prior to beginning my journey in graduate school, I experienced quite a few moments where the school work seemed to reach the mountain tops, all the while life matters overflowed like never before. All concepts and language no longer processed and the fuse I once had in the beginning, slowly fizzled out. These moments are no less than normal; however, we all are entitled to, what I like to call, “woo-sah” moments to truly set your worries free and form a refreshed you that is ready to take on the world. With that being said, you never know who is carrying this weight. Being a new graduate student, I was quickly reminded that it takes a village to get you through the masses of work and life stressors, which there’s immense beauty in caring for one another through your shared academic journeys. As you begin to develop those new connections in class and form lasting relationships with your peers, take a moment to memorize and apply these three formulas to calculate the most fruitful outcome for academic success and well-being!

Questions + Study Group = Wellbeing & Success!

One of the best ways to develop closer and more fruitful relationships with your classmates is by forming a study group! Study groups provide a safe space for you to unravel challenging course concepts and care for your mental health with peer support, all while keeping yourself on track. This was one of the best decisions I have made since starting my graduate school journey and has provided me with much needed mental clarity and just a space to gain another realm of perspective on assignments. Another success story? In one of our previous posts by Austin A. Deray, “Study Groups: The Thing to do in Graduate School”, he credits his own working/study groups for holding him accountable, creating moments of well-being, and gaining new perspectives from the diverse backgrounds of his peers! Take that first step and connect with your classmates to form this great method of social support, to truly learn and grow with one another. You can even utilize Mason’s fantastic resources to join a group either within your program/department or university-wide.

Events + Friendships = A Breath of Fresh Air

One of the most memorable and refreshing moments I have had so far in my grad school journey was attending my department’s welcome event, where I found my current cohort of peers. We continued to make time during the week to do anything from studying to attending events on campus. Taking these breaths to refresh my mind and renew my strength has helped to keep me on the straight and narrow with my coursework, rather than powering through on my own and burning all of my fuel. Any time that you can attend a campus event, whether that be in your respective department or university-wide, jump in full force and allow yourself to decompress and unwind. We all deserve a break with those we truly aspire to water and grow with!

Rough Days + Kind Gestures = Brighter Days!

Have you ever had a day when all of your energy has depleted and despite this, coursework refuses to let its foot off of the gas? How did that feel? How would you have wanted to be supported? I myself have had my fair share of those days, but it was the simplest of acts that instantly brought my mood and outlook back to center…receiving a simple message of kindness, a “You’ve got this!”, “I am so proud of you!”, or just a “How are you?”, which meant more than anyone could have known. Soon after, I received a burst of energy and inspiration to complete the toughest of assignments, to keep moving forward. The simplest of acts could elevate one’s mood and push them towards academic success and improved well-being. We all have different battles that we face and they all affect us differently, yet we very often remain blind as to what exactly the lives of others’ entails. While still caring for yourself and respecting boundaries, check in with your peers and keep them uplifted as often as you can.

So there are the formulas. No, they may not serve as the answer to each and every social and academic barricade that could form. Please remember that each journey is different and there is no universal formula. However, you have the power to flip each one into a method that works for you. All things take time… I for one am still making peace with that, but know that this time does not have to be endured alone and confide in your tribe! I really hope you have enjoyed this ‘math’ lesson and remember: wellbeing + support = success! Take care of you!

Best of Wishes,

Cydni Young

Deray, Austin A. (2019, October 9). Study Groups: The Thing to Do in Grad School. Mason Grad Insider Blog: Graduate Student Life: George Mason University: Study Groups: The Thing to Do in Graduate School.

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Mason Grad Insider

The Necessary Evil: Introverts and Academic Conference Networking

Nikita Thadani — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 18:50:20 +0000

The Necessary Evil: Introverts and Academic Conference Networking Nikita Thadani Mon, 04/25/2022 - 14:50

by Bernard Atieme

As an emerging scholar, academic conferences are some of the ways to connect with people who share similar research interests with you in your field. However, being an introvert in a buzzing conference room with people busy chatting, can be scary and intimidating. Networking and building rapport with people you meet for the first time or barely know is hardest to do as an introvert. Notwithstanding this discomfort, academic conferences or social networking events are crucial for building your social capital in academia as a doctoral student. The people you meet at these conferences could become your coauthors, mentors, referees, or even your employers at some point in your professional and academic life; however, knowing the significance of networking for one’s professional and intellectual growth does not necessarily make the dread of navigating the space of academic conferences go away. Here, I share some of the tricks that work for me in my experience networking at academic conferences. These suggestions are not necessarily easy to do, but they will help you use your conference time productively with less stress.

Be a presenter, discussant, or moderator

Being a presenter, discussant, or moderator at a conference puts you in the spotlight, making it easy for you to connect with people and them with you. It makes people feel they know you already, and your presentation becomes the talking point or opening line for them to initiate a conversation. Some may have follow-up questions, while others may want to share their thoughts or resources. Other people are probably interested in getting to know you better, and your presentation is their opening to engage with you. Sometimes there is camaraderie among the presenters, which could be an opportunity for you to build your network with them.

Ask relevant questions

Sometimes it can be petrifying to ask a question in a room full of intellectuals - but ask anyway, because it could open doors for networking! Asking questions is an indication that you are interested in the person’s work or the subject, and that can open networking opportunities for you. Moreover, asking questions may help people find something in common with you. When asking a question, introduce yourself by name, institution, and research interest before the inquiry. That provides people with context of who you are and can help stimulate conversations with you down the line. Someone in the crowd may share your research interest and want to talk further with you about the topic. Remember not to walk away like everyone else after the presentation. Stay back and talk to the presenters or any person who might be interested in speaking with you.

Find a networking ally

Attending a conference with someone who enjoys meeting new people or knows people will make your networking efforts more effortless. They help break the ice during the introductions and allow you to come in and continue the conversation. People get to know you because of them, and you can utilize that to build your network. Sometimes you may need to ask them to introduce you to their contacts or people you want to meet, but some do it anyway, even if you do not ask them for introductions.

For some conferences, you may be the only person from your program or institution attending. When you find yourself in this situation, find someone at the conference whose company you genuinely enjoy and share a mutual interest, become their friend, and hang out with them during the networking events. If the person already knows people in the conference, utilize the person’s wealth of connections; if the person does not, build your network together from scratch.

Prepare a few conversation-starting questions

Before the conference, prepare a few lines of conversation. If you have a list of scholars you would like to meet at the conference, identify what you would like to learn from them and prepare your questions in advance. Do not try to think them up on the spot because that could be difficult to do if you are not used to small talk. The same rules apply even if you do not have specific people in mind, but general networking. You need opening lines for all conversations, and questions are an excellent way to start; however, remember not to turn your discussion into a Q&A session where your newfound friend does all the talking and you ask the questions. Prepare something you would like to share about yourself with your new connections. While it is helpful to write your questions and practice them in advance, try to let the conversation flow naturally.

Make yourself approachable

The posture of your body could draw or keep people away from talking to you. People want to talk to people who are open to it. As much as possible, try to look warm, casual, and smile at people when your eyes interlock. It may motivate them to approach you and initiate a conversation. You do not always have to initiate conversations, but you must make yourself available and approachable.

Overall, always remember that you are not the only one terrified of small talk. There are people like you at the conference who are equally scared to death of talking to new people. Practice your conversations, embrace your fears, and speak to as many people as your stress level can allow. Remember that you have something interesting to contribute as a junior academic, and some people are interested to hear it! It is the reason doctoral programs exist to train emerging scholars to continue the works of the senior scholars.

Moreover, remember that some senior academics will be thrilled to know that you admire their work and will be willing to talk to you more about their scholarship. The worst that could happen is that they might not be interested in your work, and that is fine. You only need a few supporting people in your network. I hope these suggestions are helpful. Good luck with your next conference networking event.

Editor's note: This is our last Mason Grad Insider blog post of the 2021-2022 academic year, and my (Nikita's) last post as the editor. I will be graduating with my M.Ed. in Counseling & Development from Mason this May, and will be finishing up with my Graduate Professional Assistantship with Graduate Student Life. It has been a pleasure being a writer and editor for the Mason Grad Insider and a joy getting to be a part of the Grad Life team. The Mason Grad Insider will be back with more blog posts in the Fall 2022 semester!

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My Cohort, My Community

Nikita Thadani — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 23:45:45 +0000

My Cohort, My Community Nikita Thadani Thu, 03/31/2022 - 19:45

In This Story

Austin A. Deray

by Austin A. Deray

When moving to Northern Virginia, I was worried about leaving my family and friends in Georgia, my chosen community. However, when I got to Mason, thanks to my program and my work unit, I found my new tribes through the institution and a culture of cohorts.¹

A cohort was originally defined by Merino et al. “as a group of students who begin a program of study together, share the same sequence of classes, faculty members, and instructional activities toward completion of a specific degree or certification,” but “has expanded to include the development of collaborative projects, self-directed goals, and a network of academic and social support.”²

For me this idea of a cohort has been key to not only my academic and professional success here at Mason, but also a sense of well-being in my life. Now I know some of you are thinking, “I don’t have a cohort.” I know that to be true for many programs here at Mason. I would suggest then maybe finding a way to make your own model of a cohort. And, yes, I do plan to share one example of how to go about doing it later on.

In North American universities, three cohort systems tend to be most popular: closed, open/mixed, and fluid. From my experience here at Mason, I’d say we are mostly a mixture of open and fluid systems. The open/mixed cohort is one “whereby students take a core set of courses together and then enroll in additional coursework to fulfill their needs.”³ On the other hand, the fluid cohort is also know as the “course-by-course [cohort], whereby students may enter the cohort at various times instead of only one point of entry.”³

Among my office colleagues, we have experienced both types of cohorts. I am a member of a mixed cohort through my academic program, where all the Cultural Studies PhD students take the same core classes with their admittance year members and generally take similar electives, while trying to begin fieldwork around the same time. My two workmates, on the other hand, have fluid cohorts in their programs. One only knew one other student in her program who had started around the same time and was taking similar classes. The other found, while she started with 4-5 other students, that she would not take a core set of classes with members of her entry class; she would eventually take classes with all the members of her class through the elective course offered in her program. For the graduate students in my office, what was great was our ability to form a work cohort and our ability to rely not only on our program cohorts, but also on each other, creating our own community.

One key component of both a mixed and fluid cohort is sharing meals together.⁴ From the beginning, my academic cohort quickly began to work on readings, papers, and projects together. One member of my cohort, who served as the original ringleader, would always suggest we meet to have lunch, dinner, or just share some shisha while we work. At work, our office has family lunch almost every day, and that is where we began to have a sense of cohort or a sense of our work community.

What is key about the program cohort model and my own description of our work cohort, or work community, is that we have reduced “level[s] of loneliness” and that we “offer support to one another,” which is key to the well-being⁵ and academic success of graduate students. While some suggest that only members of an academic cohort can truly relate to the experience of being in a specific graduate program, I’d suggest I get as much support from my work community as I do from my program cohort.

I think the true essence of the cohort is what is important, not the institution or structure. So, if your program has a cohort system, try buying into the practice. Spend some time with your cohort, get a meal with them; I think you’ll enjoy the support and sense of community they can give you. If your program has a mostly fluid system or does not have a cohort at all, try to find a way to create your own cohort or tribe; invite classmates to a dinner or lunch, study over coffee or hookah. The idea is that graduate school is hard, which we all already know, and having a support system or a group of people to turn to is key to both your academic success and your personal well-being.

As always, have a great day and week.

Best,

Austin

¹ McCarthy, John, Mary Ellen Trenga, and Barbara Weiner. (2005) The Cohort Model with Graduate Student Learners: Faculty-Student Perspectives: Adult Learning: Sage Journals, 22-26.

² Merino, A., Muse, I., & Wright, D. J. (1994). Building graduate school success: The cohort group. The Journal of the California Association of Professors of Educational Administration, 6, 64-74

³ Yerkes, D. M., Basom, M.R., Norris, C, & Bamett, B. (1995). Using cohorts in the development of educational leaders. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 387 858).

⁴ McCarthy, et al. (2005), 24.

⁵ Nords, C. J., & Bamett, B. (1994). Cultivating new leadership paradigm: From cohorts to communities. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 387 877).

This blog post has been edited to reflect updated information and web addresses.

Edited by Nikita Thadani, 3/31/2022.

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What to Look for in a Mentor

Nikita Thadani — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 23:37:11 +0000

What to Look for in a Mentor Nikita Thadani Thu, 03/31/2022 - 19:37

In This Story

Austin A. Deray

by Austin A. Deray

Last year, I called the library one of the keys to graduate student success. I’d like to change the metaphor to be one of the feathers in a graduate student’s bowler or bob hat. We began our bowler’s feather collection with the green feather of libraries; now let’s add the gold feather of effective mentoring. One of the most important relationships to cultivate in graduate school is your mentor.

Three quick notions to dispel from the get-go: 1) a mentor and an adviser are two different things; 2) your mentor does not have to be found in the realm of academic; and 3) graduate students can have more than one mentor.

Dr. Carol Fierke, Vice Provost and Dean of Rackham Graduate School at University of Michigan, in her discussion on mentoring graduate students, asks graduate and professional students to first consider what makes a mentor. She suggests that mentors:

take an interest in developing another person’s career and well-being
have an interpersonal as well as a professional relationship with those whom they mentor
advance the person’s academic and professional goals in directions most desired by the individual
tailor mentoring styles and content to the individual, including adjustments due to differences in culture, ethnicity, gender and so on.¹

While I do not feel comfortable telling others how to go about finding a mentor (for me, it has been organic experience), I will share my experiences with my mentors and highlight some aspects of the story you may be able to take away and apply as you seek a mentor. My mentors are Dr. Carol Jamison and Dr. Jane Rago. Jamison has been with me since undergrad. The first class I took with her was during a hard time in my life and I wasn’t sure if I was going to continue school or not. Though she taught literature courses, we shared an interest in the medieval period. It was while taking my first steps into an acquisition of both Old and Middle English that I began to see Jamison as a true mentor. She never let us take the easy route, and read the modern translations. I had decided to work on Sin Literature and she suggested/forced me to analyze Piers Plowman’s second vision. I had to work with the literature in its original text and compare it with contemporary discussions of the seven sins, including Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. Jamison has helped me develop my skills into becoming a stronger scholar, as well as a stronger professor. She encouraged me to pursue my master’s and eventually begin my PhD. She was never my advisor, but she served as the co-chair of my thesis committee and has always encouraged me and sought to be a light guiding me along my academic career.

Dr. Jane Rago came into my life quite by chance and profoundly changed it. While in my master’s program in World History, my graduate assistantship in the university’s Writing Center happened to be housed across the hall from Rago’s office. She is the director of Gender Studies at Armstrong and a professor in the Literature department, which was going through renovations at the time. Occasionally, Rago would come by and chat with Caroline, the lead tutor, and I about her courses. The next term, Caroline and I took her “Advanced Perspectives in Feminist Theory” course. That course changed my life and put me on a new path. While I started my master’s work in History department, from that point forward I was a member of both the History and Gender Studies units, working towards both degrees. It was our conversations and the course that helped me find a new way to apply my historical training, through a discussion of how and why gender norms have come about. Rago pushed me to present at conferences and to teach my own course, which just happened to be the same course I took with her. Once I finished both programs, Rago hired me for my first faculty position and I was able to teach Gender Studies courses for 2 years at Armstrong State University.

My acquisition of both mentors at the time seemed quite organic; however, when considering our history, I can see how our early interactions followed Fierke’s description of a good mentor. Jamison, while she was first a professor of mine, became much more. It was the fact that we worked outside of class on my translations and on my research ideas, as well as the fact that she was willing to oversee independent and directed readings for a student who was not a member of her department. If I can make a suggestion here, find a professor who is willing to go beyond the call of duty for you. They may not be in your department or field; however, if they take an interest and are willing to give up time, energy, and resources on your behalf, consider them as a mentor who may be able to help guide your academic and professional life.

Rago’s early discussions completely changed my life’s direction and it all happened because her office was across the hall from mine. Proximity can be that vital as well as serendipitous. Had I not had my assistantship or had she been assigned another office while the Literature department was being renovated, we may have not met. Take in your surrounds in your department, your work, or social interactions. If there is someone who encourages you in your pursuits and offers to help along the way,hey could have the makings of a mentor.

For me, though both were not mentors, I had sought out, they are the best mentors a graduate student could have asked for. They helped me develop both academically and professionally. They have guided me directly through a majority of my academic career and still check in – making time for me when I am back home – to make sure I am happy in my current program and that I am keeping to the plan we discussed so many years ago. They have helped me find academic work and written recommendations for my PhD applications. I hope you find as good of mentors as I have.

Have a great day and week.

Until next time,
Austin

¹ Carol Fierke, “How to Get the Mentoring You Want: A Guide for Graduate Students.” Rackham Graduate School, University of Michigan, The Regents of the University of Michigan (2015): 3, accessed September 29, 2017, www.rackham.umich.edu/downloads/publications/mentoring.

This blog post has been edited and updated to reflect current changes in information.

Edited by Sydney Glass, 9/25/2018

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The Benefits of Recreational Reading

Nikita Thadani — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 20:27:00 +0000

The Benefits of Recreational Reading Nikita Thadani Tue, 03/08/2022 - 15:27

by Nikita Thadani

As graduate students, we spend a ton of time reading. Whether it’s for homework assignments or finding literature for our own papers, we spend a bulk of our time poring over academic texts, journal articles, and more. Unfortunately, this often means that we end up leaving little time for recreational reading (also known as leisure reading or reading for pleasure).

Growing up, I was an avid reader. By avid, I mean that I often used to finish a book a day! I loved reading, the escape it provided, the stories I could get lost in, and the way it created community with other readers. As I got older, in the later years of high school and the first couple of years of college, my leisure reading took a steep decline. I was buried under mountains of academic readings and papers and felt like I no longer had time to read for fun. However, when COVID hit and I moved home from college and we all collectively moved into a virtual world, I decided to start a virtual book club with a few people I knew in college. Ever since, I have returned to being an active reader, and I love it! I make time to read almost every day and I can’t believe I went so long without it. But, don’t just take my word for it! Here are some of the benefits of recreational reading:

Recreational reading relieves stress. Studies have shown that reading for pleasure is an effective way to manage stress by increasing enjoyment and relaxation.¹ ² ³ ⁴
It’s good for your brain and cognitive development. Recreational reading also can have benefits for your concentration, vocabulary, reading and writing skills, and improving working memory.¹ ² ³ ⁴
Reading can help you be more empathetic. In studies including both children and adults, leisure reading has been shown to increase an individual's communication skills, understanding of themselves and others who are different from them, and develop overall empathy skills. ² ³ ⁴

If these reasons have convinced you to get into recreational reading (or get back into recreational reading), here are some easy ways to dive in to a new book!

Join a local book club. Most local libraries have open access book clubs you can join! For example, Fairfax County Libraries have a book club that meets once a month and has all the titles listed for the year already. Additionally, you can search for local book clubs at your university (you can search “book club” in the Mason Libraries calendar to see the next book club meeting; the Women & Gender Studies department also is hosting a book club this semester). For more ideas, check out this list of options for finding a book club near you.
Use Libby. Libby is a mobile app that lets you connect to your local library to read ebooks for free! I have my Libby app connected to Fairfax County Libraries, and you use the app similarly to how you rent paper books - you can place holds, borrow, and renew both ebooks and audio books.
Check out your local used book stores. Used book stores are a great way to find cheap books, sell your old books, and read in an environmentally friendly way! Here are some local used book stores in the Fairfax area you can check out:
- 2nd & Charles, Chantilly, VA
- McKay Used Books, Manassass, VA
- Reston’s Used Book Shop, Reston, VA
Fall for the Book. Based at George Mason University, Fall for the Book is an independent nonprofit literary arts organization that promotes reading by sponsoring a variety of year-round events and activities, the flagship of which is the Fall for the Book festival held each October.⁵ You can check out the Fall for the Book schedule of events here!
Browse Kindle deals. Amazon’s Kindle store has daily deals for cheap Kindle ebooks that often include new books for cheap!
Use Goodreads. Goodreads is a website & app where you can connect with your friends (or not) to find new books, rate the books you’ve read, and see what your friends are reading! Goodreads is one of my absolute favorite apps because I can read reviews of the books I want to read, find books that are similar to ones I’ve liked, and see books that my friends recommend to me! Goodreads also has an annual reading challenge, where you can challenge yourself to read a number of books each year to keep yourself on track.

So, while you continue to devote time to academic and professional reading, I hope this blog post has convinced you (or at least reminded you) of the joys of recreational reading. Recreational reading has brought so much joy into my life and I hope it will in yours too. If you’re looking for a book to get started, a few books I enjoyed recently were The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin, Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng, and The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix.

Happy reading!

Nikita

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