If someone’s comments get under your skin, discuss the content of the comments (not the person who said them) with a trusted peer or friend/family member. Don’t bottle it up… that breeds #ImposterSyndrome

Keeping yourself in a positive frame of mind re work will allow you to be more creative & productive and solve problems more easily…

It is b/c they’ve been presenting/pitching/refining versions of those concepts & slides for years, such that some phrasings etc are now memorized/automatic. If you choose to become a prof, the process of doing a PhD, 1+ postdocs & applying for faculty jobs will make you highly practiced/fluid too!

Profs have to work hard to keep up with class material, esp the first few semesters they teach a class. 2) Profs ARE fluid in presenting their core research/associated slides/ideas but it is not because they are innately more “professorial”…

It is great to give the prof a few bullet points about why you are excited about this opportunity/how it will propel your career forward, and what positive things you think they could highlight about you.

… future applications, so don’t hesitate to ask! Just always request letters nicely (don’t take them for granted), give the prof time, and say thanks.

…Let them know! They will be enthusiastic to cheer for you and/or may be able to help. They will also see that you are persistent and determined when you try again (even if declined on apps). The first letter is the most investment for the prof - it is not a big deal to edit the letter again for…

It is ok to resend the email after a week if they don’t respond initially. It is ok to ping them a week and a day before the letter is due (and the day of) if they haven’t let you know the letter is submitted yet. When they submit, say thank you! And when you find out if you got in (or not)…

be able to purchase/pay for these items through a university account (rather than than as a private individual). If you aren’t sure who the pre-award person is that you should email, ask the prof of the lab you work in, or a department staff member

It is important to do this so that the uni can receive your money and set up a fund for you to spend it out of. If the funds come to your personal account, you will be taxed as though it is personal income. Also, if you need to buy certain chemicals or supplies for your research, you may only…

They will tell you if they need to set up your proposal in the uni’s sponsored programs system, and if so, what docs they need from you to do this. Write the pre-awards person at least 2 weeks before your grant is due - it takes time for things to go through the uni’s system.

Some folks prefer a window seat so that you can lean on the wall and sleep. Although an aisle seat is harder to sleep in, it is easier to move out of if your seat mate is acting inappropriately. If you are being harassed or assaulted, immediately talk to a flight attendant or analogous person.

-share your current lack of a plan :) & ask for advice on making one
-etc etc

The instructor will be glad you came! And you never know what opportunities might grow out of getting to know your instructors and sharing your interests, ideas and aspirations!

Besides clarification on course content, you could:
-ask about the instructors path to where they are today
-ask things they wished they’d known as an undergrad/grad student
-share your current plan and ask for advice or thoughts

Things to consider may include visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, medical kit, head lamp, protection from the elements (sunglasses, rash guard, sunblock, hat), bug repellent, bug net for sleeping, cell phone SIM card, satellite phone, field safety plan, copy of insurance card/passport…

Stipend amount, health care, fees, summer salary, # yrs guaranteed funding, etc vary across programs. After reading the admissions information page for a prospective department, it is good to ask department administrator/any professor you’re talking with about joining their lab any ?s you still have