Prospectus #2

I can't believe it, but my prospectus was finally approved! Here I am closing in on the 3 year mark of my PhD, and about to take comprehensive exams (written and oral). Why are these milestones so stressful and time consuming? Am I really becoming a better scientist by doing these things? I guess they require you to read broadly and analyze. But the uncertainty and pressure of knowing your committee can ask you anything they want and grade you on your answer, is a little daunting. I really do feel like marine science graduate students work harder for a smaller payoff than almost any skilled profession. Mentally and physically. I don't even want to discuss the muck-covered cinder blocks and PVC and wire cages we will be lugging into and out of boats, then power washing and storing. I have 10 years of post- high school education. I get paid $18,000/year. People get annoyed with me when I ask for work travel reimbursements. I spend 5/7 evenings per week and at least 1 weekend day, working. Last week I stayed at work until 9 or 10 each night. And now I have to prove to my committee members that I know the details of sea-level rise, the nitrogen cycle, isotope geochemistry, bivalve shell formation, shellfish safety and epidemiology, carbon storage and the extent of herbivore of different marsh and sea grass species........

Oh, while I am processing highly sensitive samples using a method no one in my lab has used before, trying to figure it out on my own and get the samples ready in the next week. 

So, yay, I completed my prospectus.

Whatever gets you through the night

To-do list: too long.

Stress level: too high.

Here's what is getting this science student, researcher, intern manager, wife, and mom through the long days and short nights.

• Podcasts Fresh Air, This American Life, Nature, On Being, Freakonomics when doing repetitive labwork

• Fun. On Pandora when crunching data 

• Celtic radio on Pandora when word smithing or reading papers

• High protein and fiber food to keep me full: Greek yogurt, Great Grains cereal, apples, nuts. But if I sit long enough, I crave Cheez-Its and Strawberry Pop Tarts

• Coffee! Starbucks iced coffee or Nescafé. I know. 

• To wake me up in the morning: Bodycology body wash in Gardenia scent. My husband picked this out and the whole family has been using it! Smells like summer.

• When I get home: reading books and snuggling with my boys at bedtime

• On DVR: As Time Goes By - my favorite BBC comedy. Master Chef - love watching with the whole family. Too tired for movies or intense dramas right now!

• Anytime Rob cooks something homemade for dinner!

Right now my family is definitely taking care of me. I'm not sure how long it's sustainable for me to be so absent physically and mentally. But the little things are helping get me through.