WHAT WE WISH WE KNEW BEFORE GRAD SCHOOL | PHD ADVICE | SCHOLAR NOIRE

[@so.shaniqua]

Seeing you guys makes me so happy. It's possible 🙌🏾🙏🏾 I just finished undergrad and will start grad school in the fall for clinical mental health counseling God willing. You two are very inspirational ❤️

[@ScholarNoire]

congrats on finishing college, neeq! & you can absolutely do it. thanks for the love.

[@_aelle_]

Being a first-year doctoral student has been a rollercoaster, but seeing other young black women walking the path definitely give me the motivation to push through! Rooting for you!

[@katiemarcincuk7913]

I recently started graduate school after many years out of school and a terrible undergrad GPA. Your videos (in particular this one) really helped to inspire me that this is all worth it and gave some great advice. So thank you!

[@miab.7877]

I’m a 3rd year PhD student (expected: spring 2020), and this was SUPER helpful. Thank you for sharing your experience 💚

[@jasonanderson846]

Home stretch!

[@sisterluke]

Thank you as a person of color I struggle with self-confidence, social anxiety, and depression in grad school. This helped me very much because you are both so confident and amazing

[@sc_733]

This was wonderful! I'm starting a Masters program this fall and will be following up right after with a PhD program and have been a little concerned since I've been out of school for two years. You both have provided the most down-to-earth and realistic advice I've yet to discover on KZbin! Thank you so so much for sharing this❤️

[@enioso517]

Thank you for sharing!! I just got accepted into a ph.d program for anthropology and will be starting in the fall. I'm super excited but I've gotten even more excited over the last few days seeing so many black women on here going for their phD. thank you ladies

[@tanishawilsonphdclinicalps5250]

Thank you for this! I’m in my second semester working on my PhD in Clinical Psychology. I’m older (adult children older) and had so many reservation about starting. You are so on point in describing the amount of reading and writing. Your segment on self-care was so helpful for me to refocus. Thank you, thank you!

[@peterpreciado4043]

YES! First advice is spot on, for me at least. I finished my MA in 2018 and even as I was writing my dissertation I was regretting not reading EVERYTHING on the reading list. I always had a good excuse, but I had classmates who had read it all. Hard? Hell yes. This is grad school!! As I wrote my dissertation I felt the absence of every page of reading I hadn't done. If I could go back, it would be #1 DO ALL THE READING! before the meetings/classes. You are right, it's about confidence and also, that helps determine what you get out of it. Thanks for sharing.

[@stephaniecarol2150]

Thank you for this video. I'm about to begin a MFA program in Creative Writing and later a PhD in Higher Education Administration. It's really inspiring seeing positive Black women pursuing their PhDs! One thing I would really like to know is how do you deal with the pressures of dating/relationships (especially being single) while pursuing your PhD/grad school? I've struggled with that myself, especially since I've decided not to date seriously right now because I find with a serious relationship, your entire plans could end up changing. It can get super confusing and trying. I would really appreciate advice in this area.

[@ScholarNoire]

Hi Stephanie, thank you for watching! I think this would be a great video! But offhand I would say make sure you prioritize your life. If you decide to date, be really mindful about the choices you make in terms of work-life balance. love is wondrous and you have to balance it with schoolwork.

[@jadebethj4807]

Heya! I'm about to get my MFA in CW as well. How's it going for you?!

[@jadebethj4807]

Last year of undergrad, then I'm on to grad school I was out of school for 10 years and am finally back in school.

[@azsparks1]

I am in my 2nd semester of my Masters and want to continue onto a PhD. I love your advice, especially related to self-care and failure is part of the journey. As I am researching various schools and preparing my applications, I really have to remind myself to take care of my needs and remember that a denial letter is not going to break me. Ahe'hee! (Navajo for Thank you)

[@karimelupus]

The comments section on this video is awesome. So much positivity 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@timloh]

I'm about to start a PhD in anthropology the fall. thank you so much for this!

[@cristinabarros1719]

this was honestly the most helpful phd advice video I've seen so far on youtube, and I've seen a lot of them. Thank you guys for having such lovely energy and positive advice and information. I'm applying for a biology phd but I still found a lot of your information highly relevant. You guys are awesome.

[@PeacewithSha]

OMG when you hit on self care it really hit me...im going into my Ph.D. program this fall and its hitting me how important having a strategy for stress management will be. Enjoyed this video...thanks girl!

[@ScholarNoire]

i would like to do a video on this because it's so important. you're welcome & be well! 💗

[@horseplayinkidd]

This was REEEEAALLLY helpful ladies. Like, I’ve been prepping for graduate school for a couple of years. I’ve been wanting to go ever since I finished undergrad back in 2016, but I needed to really understand for what and why, which is why I think divine intervention created it to where I would take a couple years off. This has been enlightening, and now I feel more prepared because I realize I’m on the right track. Thanks ladies. Keep posting videos like this. It really helps.

[@bumblebea1773]

Are you in grad school?

[@thefingerofgod69]

Great advice. As someone who just finished (at the end of Winter Quarter) let me add one thing: 6. there will be hiccups and illnesses. I know this one first hand. If my experience is any sort of guide then you should know that you can get past it and finish. It might take you a bit longer, but you can finish! Also, let me add some wisdom from someone on my committee (in your parlance, a "scholar noire"). She was in the library with a friend of mine who was a year ahead of me. I don't remember what elicited this response from her but she after my friend said what she said, this faculty member took her hand and made a sweeping gesture across the library and said "these works are all drafts." What she meant was that each of these "completed" works represent a moment in time. One part of an evolving scholarly conversation that is not nor will ever be complete. In fact, many of the authors themselves are not "satisfied" with their "completed" work. Many of them would go back and change it/ improve it if they had the time and energy and the inclination. But I would also add that even "missteps" are productive in that it can help to point someone else in the conversation in the right direction even if it is to refute what you wrote. So yes, academia and scholarship IS a conversation in the greatest sense of the word.

[@parissinclair6513]

I'm so happy I watched this video. I'm taking a year off after undergrad to apply to grad programs, and I feel like this really helped ground me and focus on what's ahead. Thank you guys so much

[@ScholarNoire]

thanks so much Paris, good luck! 💗

[@rosee784]

I realize this is an older video but I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed it! I just enrolled in a Post-Bac with plans to go into a PhD program and found this extremely helpful! Thanks for sharing, especially the self care info. I don't know what I'd do without my meditation/yoga schedule :).

[@VicStAmand]

Self care is definitely the first thing to go when I get busy. I have time to zone out to KZbin, but no time to go for a run.. I never really thought how backwards that is.

[@Dee-oq5ms]

Y'all are so articulate, it's beautiful.

[@Gabby-du4mc]

I start my master's as a Fulbright next year, in a country I am unfamiliar with.. I was so anxious about what to do the summer before... Self care. Thank you 💗

[@olavlogs376]

Second semester of my phd and and this is all totally accurate and I'm so glad to have watched this video! It is so useful!

[@ScholarNoire]

I'm so glad to hear that. Thanks for watching :)

[@MsGroovalicious]

Thank you, lovely ladies. I am blessed by your words of wisdom. Shalom!

[@ScholarNoire]

thank you so much (;

[@jayjo2652]

This Vid was LIFE! Thank you so much for these beautiful words. It's so inspiring. I'll be starting my PsyD program in the Fall so I enjoyed the tips and encouragement . :)

[@ScholarNoire]

thanks for the love Jay Jo! you'll do great.

[@bumblebea1773]

How is school going and how did you do?

[@jayjo2652]

Bobbye Smith Hi! That school shut down so I end up in a master’s program which I’m finishing in a few months. I’ll be apply to other Dr programs this Fall though! Thanks for asking!

[@bumblebea1773]

@@jayjo2652 Okay, beautiful! Do not stop. We need you as a doctor. Best of luck!

[@Seamemaria]

What a great video! I really like this conversation format and you both are so comfortable and natural in front of the camera :) I am on the third year of my PhD and I can completely relate with having the feeling that I could have done so much more in the first year and that that would have helped present me so much. Keep on with the great videos =)

[@MrEjimenez1]

Wow thank y’all so much for this! I really needed to hear what you all had to share!!!

[@jaweriaomer4127]

This was lovely and genuine! Great job y'all.

[@ScholarNoire]

thank you!!!!

[@donwrrybouti]

I'm heading into a doctoral stream program in the fall, I really needed this! looking forward to more videos :)

[@ScholarNoire]

amber & i read this together - we are soo happy to hear that!!

[@jozellewongyu7948]

I really enjoyed watching this! I'll be starting grad school at CSULB for communication studies. Thanks for your advice!

[@ScholarNoire]

you're welcome jozelle!! thanks for watching & good luck 💗

[@heimwehwonach809]

I think I need to watch this at least once a week. Thank you so much!

[@ukaikoojiambo3737]

2019 here. I love this, thanks for sharing this fun, informative video! I'd like to hear your thoughts on *how to read/be engaged with the material*. Thanks!

[@SourcingtoSales]

One tip I would add is don't let the first few month impostor syndrome get you down, its an exponential learning curve! (feel free to visit my channel for some tips XD). Great video and excellent tips!

[@leahjennings9133]

This is so awesome thank you for making this!

[@Jayisevolving]

I enjoyed watching this video and I wish I had a close grad school friend!!! If there's anyone reading this comment please like it I'd like to build a network of scholars who maybe just want to vent and talk about grad life and other issues.

[@josephine_marie]

Loved this video! Just friends by Musiq soul child is one of my favorite songs.

[@ScholarNoire]

yes josie, musiq is timeless!

[@Sona77.]

You guys are so cute! I agree with everything. I'm almost done with my masters. It wasn't easy but hopefully it pays off soon

[@ScholarNoire]

thank you & congratulations!!

[@TallnPretty]

Leah Barlow sent me here!!

[@janaeaiko]

same sis!

[@CheRhys]

How do you switch back into academic mode? I’ve been in work mode for a year. Everything was about securing the bag. Now I have to switch back into putting school first 🤷🏽‍♀️🤦🏽‍♀️

[@drchristinaalicia]

Love your channel!

[@gloriachoi9645]

Hi, thank you for this wonderful video! I am curious about the differences between your and Amber's disciplines. What is the difference between cultural anthropology and sociology? How are the classes you take different or similar, as well as the research you do? Thanks! :)

[@missy5585]

😂😂 Good video ladies. Thank You for the heads up✌🏿

[@randee3156]

Thank you for this 😭😭

[@skrcasm]

You both are so inspiring - india

[@sabrinaflipse7732]

You’re scaring me bc my self-care in my undergrad went out the window. And now I’m wondering what will happen to me in grad school. I’m not sure I feel ready for grad school. Is it good to take a year off?

[@LifewithBreanna_]

Pray/Talk to God about this matter and let Him guide you.

[@christyanne8322]

You can take time off and still have poor self-care and mental health in university! In my experience, taking a year off was more about professional and personal growth than about learning proper self-care. So, although I took a year off for work, I actually learned how to protect my mental health while in school. Regardless of whether or not you take a "gap year" or two, it takes effort to develop self-care practices that work for you.

[@alexk1754]

Awesome video! I make videos on similar topics for anyone interested!

[@Kjv813]

I’m crushing