10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting My PhD/Grad School | *from a Yale History PhD Student*

10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting My PhD/Grad School | from a Yale History PhD Student
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[@marshaking9243]

1. Come in with an open mind about your subject matter 2. It's okay to feel like you know nothing at first 3. Set boundaries within your routine and make sure to take time to take care of yourself. 4. Consider publishing early. 5. PhD programs are very isolating. Take measures to overcome this. 6. Studying at home 100% of the time will cause anxiety. Try to change it up. 7. Learn to stick to your own study habits that work for you and don't compare yourself to others. 8. You should be reading outside of class work, even while you're taking classes. 9. Budget ahead of time. 10. Make a plan ahead of time, but be prepared to change it.

[@funkycrawler619]

Such a fan, and I enjoy seeing non-STEM PhD students vlogging. I do have aspirations to pursue a PhD, and I would enjoy a video regarding the Publishing process! Thanks for the great content!

[@KaelynGraceApple]

There will be many videos on this as I go through the process myself

[@westleytravis6538]

a trick : watch movies at Flixzone. Been using it for watching all kinds of movies lately.

[@cannontoby7273]

@Westley Travis yea, I've been watching on Flixzone} for since december myself :D

[@gabrielaalmendarez3710]

That know nothing feeling! I’m 4 years deep into my PhD and I still feel this every day.

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Is it weird to say that I'm glad I'm not the only one? 😅😅

[@jarrodsio]

Agreeing with everything u’ve mentioned. great vid as usual. As a newly minted PhD, here’s my (microscopic) contribution: Write. Even 1 sentence a day is an achievement.

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Yes!!

[@user-gv1xq6gr6o]

why?

[@jarrodsio]

@@user-gv1xq6gr6o by 'writing' i meant for the doctoral thesis. It is a way to ignite the mind in order to start writing. It is rare for one to stop at a mere sentence. The difficult part is usually in the starting.

[@ashleelong443]

My advice is to focus on what else other than your PhD you need to be competitive. Ultimately, the PhD is just a checkmark in that qualification box. Focus on building up your Resume/CV to make you more competitive compared to your peers. Use your PhD time to learn new skills and to perfect your ability to communicate your findings in your field (ie. give poster talks, presentations, seminars...etc). These things become much harder to do after you've already graduated and lacking them can limit your ability to get jobs and be successful in your career.

[@KaelynGraceApple]

100%!!!

[@Jokkkkke]

This totally is what needs to be done at the individual level but my god, this mentality is causing an unsustainable arms race across the field with tons of absolutely burnt out doctoral graduates 🥵

[@PhDandProductivity]

Finally catching upppp with all of the vlogmas! Thanks so much for the shoutout in this video 💕

[@VenustasValidas]

Well said- you covered a lot… thought I was alone in this 😅 thank you!

[@aFfoochen]

Thank you for sharing! Ver informative!

[@natalietadros980]

That was extremeley needed and interesting. Thank you so much for your authenticity, openness, and willingness to share your experiences and knowledge!

[@KaelynGraceApple]

🥰🥰

[@guessidunno]

I am halfway through my first year in a PhD and with the benefit of hindsight all of these would have helped so much in these few months!

[@MaddieMettler]

I just filmed a video about mental health in grad school and the biggest thing I am struggling with is isolation and loneliness that I was not expecting in grad school. And I am going to grad school at the same uni where I did my undergrad so I know a lot of people and I still feel isolated.

[@KaelynGraceApple]

It's been exceedingly difficult this semester. I hope to find different ways to connect in the coming months. The Accountability Workshop and other Zoom group study sessions have really helped!

[@iz3288]

Mental health is so important Maddie. Exercising really has helped me!

[@holla0193]

she’s amazing 🙌🏻 she helped me with GREAT advice for my application to postgrad school ☺️

[@KaelynGraceApple]

[@SarahCrowder]

The publishing tip is so helpful. I’m publishing a small portion of research and I worry if I’m doing it too soon.

[@NatashaAlam95]

Loved the video! Would love to hear more about the publication side of things in the future because I'm still low key confused about it tbh.

[@KaelynGraceApple]

lol same here! I am just getting started with the process myself but will be making lots of content about it as I slowly figure things out!

[@patricem.cooper9828]

So informative! Thanks 😊

[@KaelynGraceApple]

I'm so glad you enjoyed it

[@PrettyIntelligent]

This is HIGHLY insightful!!!

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Im glad you found it useful

[@LenaKonfetta]

Much needed video! Also, love your sweater :) Complete agree about creating your own study habit. But do you have any advice how to deal with stress of group work, when everyone have their own habits (e.g. I like to do things in advance and other group members will do everything last minute)?

[@KaelynGraceApple]

For group work, communication and delegation is key. Everyone works on a different timeline so just clearly communicate your workflow ahead of time!

[@KevinCare]

Hey, I am starting Ph.D. in Anthropology this year too, and watching your video is like talking to a friend. So, thanks for that!

[@KaelynGraceApple]

That’s so nice to hear 🥰 thank you for this comment!

[@maryap8821]

Loved this video! ❤️ Would you consider making a video focusing on publishing as a graduate student? Xx

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Eventually! After I go through the process myself, I will definitely make videos on it!

[@syamprasa81]

Look here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXSaqal9jNalaZI

[@VeggiesbyEos]

As a grad student it is hard for me not to compare myself to my peers. I'm a music Major, so we all practice a lot. It's hard to not compare yourself and say oh I only practiced 2 hours today but someone else practice for 4, that kind of a thing

[@yelisaleiva4996]

I have been looking into doing a PhD in either English, GWS, Sociology, or a joint combination of two of these disciplines, and while I love research and these subjects passionately, I don't know what kind of career outside of academia where it can be applicable which makes me hesitant to do it...as someone who is doing a PhD in the humanities, what other careers are you looking into outside of teaching?

[@joaofelipeferreira6008]

❤️❤️❤️👏🏽

[@KaelynGraceApple]

[@jessm.porthos]

I think it’s very interesting because the whole concept of not having a masters degree when going into a PhD program ....To me as a person who did their entire education in Canada seems like a US educational system type of thing. Because everyone I know has an undergrad, masters and then started the PhD.

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Yeah! I know several people in my program have their masters but it is also quite common to jump straight from UG to PhD. PhDs are different lengths and have different requirements depending on the country and department so it makes sense that some would require more pre-training.

[@jessm.porthos]

@@KaelynGraceApple awesome. It’s just rare for me to know people who jump to their PhD. I just find it interesting. Didn’t mean to sound shaming or anything

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Of course! Every system has its differences , which is what makes everyone’s path so unique

[@jarrodsio]

certain universities in Malaysia allow the jump from degree to PhD, provided the student earns a 3.90 CGPA (minimum)

[@roryroopa]

Do you have a video on how you set those boundaries/balance different parts of your life exactly? I struggle with this now and I'm worried it'll be unbearable in grad school.

[@KaelynGraceApple]

I have a time management video which I would recommend ♥️

[@roryroopa]

@@KaelynGraceApple thank you!!

[@340autumn]

I'm facing the same struggles as you do.. I have failed in a module in the first semester due to academic shock..

[@KaelynGraceApple]

I’m so sorry to hear that! Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. This has been a very trying and difficult semester

[@340autumn]

@@KaelynGraceApple yeah it makes me feel I'm lacking and dont know anything.. that's how it is and be open minded for any possibility to change

[@navalgirl09]

It’s nice that Oxford is only year for a masters. The university I am going to in Russia is two years.

[@KaelynGraceApple]

There are still programs that are two years at Oxford, though mine was only 9 months

[@navalgirl09]

Did you half to do masters thesis? I am having hard time trying to figure mine out. My senior thesis for my college in New York was based off Russian history and the program that I am going to in Russia is for Russian and Global History.

[@nikitampmaurya]

❤️

[@kaylasanchez1953]

That Gilmore Girls clip 😂😂😂

[@KaelynGraceApple]

I just had to lol

[@infinebow7810]

I've been watching your videos since a long time and now it's finally time for me to apply to grad school. There are few doubts that I have and I was wondering if you could help me with them. I'll be applying to US universities for a Master's in English as an international student. I'm not sure if I should mention that I want to come back to India after my PhD and teach here. It doesn't seem like necessary information for a Statement of purpose yet it's adviced to include your future career plans. Also, Undergraduate research isn't encouraged much at my university so I wrote an independent paper in my last year of undergrad and only sent it to my professor for review. It isn't a huge research paper (ofc not published) yet I am including it as my writing sample. I'm not sure if I should highlight it as a project in my SOP because it might not be the equivalent of the undergrad papers students write in the states. I appreciate your videos so much. Thanks for doing that video with Gurmeher which introduced me to your channel.

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Thank you so much for commenting! 1 Congratulations on reaching this stage and for taking the initiative to write an independent paper. That experience and your collaboration with a professor is important! Just because you didn't have the opportunity to perform independent research doesn't mean you should downplay the experience you gained white writing that paper. Make sure to mention the experience in your SoP (methods, sources, arguments, etc) and ask that prof for a letter of recommendation. If you have any more questions, please feel free to reach out [e-mail] or join office hours! acceptedconsulting.com/officehours

[@infinebow7810]

@@KaelynGraceApple Thanks a lot! ✨

[@user-ob4wr5ex4j]

Hi! I am aware you offer your consultation services. I am a foreign student. I already got accepted. But my mindset / psychological status / psychiatric condition / whatever you wanna call it is so bad I am very seriously considering not starting the Ph.D. in two months. I feel there is an extremely small chance I can be successful, and that perhaps it'd be better to gain some mental health first before starting. Many people say "Go ahead and try. It is a tremendous opportunity, if you quit it's not the end of the world. You won't lose what you've got here", but I know that if I quit the Ph.D. door is in all likelihood forever closed in the US, and likely in other countries too. That is a big negative consequence if I quit, which is a very very likely scenario. Please let me know if you'd be willing to do a paid consultation on this issue/give me your take. Thanks.

[@pn5894]

HI- I hope it all went well for you! Did you decide to start your phd program or take a break for your mental health? I hope you are feeling better these days and made the right decision :)

[@motherboard2.07]

I’m confused. We did most of this stuff in my undergrad….Is that an honors thing? I was told we needed to start considering publishing in junior year. And I attended more than five conferences….

[@KaelynGraceApple]

That’s great undergrad experience

[@motherboard2.07]

@@KaelynGraceApple Maybe it was just me. Thinking back I don’t remember anyone else going outside of a couple of girls in the honors program.

[@motherboard2.07]

And I was told while meeting with a professor one on one about publishing .

[@implussed]

Does your current apartment have coworking space?

[@KaelynGraceApple]

It doesn't unfortunately. I am hoping to move in the next year or two so I can have more options for where to work.

[@cnicholas1066]

I‘m still stuck on the 500-700 pages per class per week ;__; sounds like ✨death✨

[@KaelynGraceApple]

Each class definitely is more or less. The most I've had in one week for a class was about 700 pages but I've also had others where 200-400 was more common. Depends on the class :)

[@cnicholas1066]

@@KaelynGraceApple Ahh okay 200-400 sounds more like a 10 year coma. much more manageable😅

[@KaelynGraceApple]

haha yes! Though there will be tons of reading for oral exams!

[@alinaross1008]

You talk so fast. I am trying to learn and it's so hard to keep up. And I am in my early 20's. I don't like this KZbin trend of fast talkers. Good information though.

[@KaelynGraceApple]

I’m sorry that it was hard for you to keep up with ♥️ this is how I naturally speak 😅

[@alinaross1008]

@@KaelynGraceApple Thank you for your reply. I think it was the edits in between that made it fast. I notice that a lot across KZbin. Anyways, my intention is only to hopefully offer a useful feedback. :)