One of the elements of the scholar's journey is dislocation. Every few years, and sometimes more often, you find yourself beginning a new year in a new place. Dislocation can be disorienting and can bring out some of our worst coping mechanisms. Do you know what those are for you? Whether you are beginning your first year of graduate school, or beginning a Ph.D program at a new school, or a post-doc, or a first-year faculty position, you are likely experiencing dislocation--new place, new responsibilities, new … [Read more...] about Beginning Well at the Start of a New Academic Year
Advice for Entering Graduate School
Remembering the Sabbath (Growing Spiritually in Academic Life Series)
In our goal of supporting early career Christian academics, we like to crowdsource short tips on important ways of thriving as we follow Christ in the university. This fall, we've launched a new series of tips on growing spiritually in academia. Physics researcher Bob Kaita brings us a meditation on Sabbath today, adapted from a brief encouragement he shared with the Princeton InterVarsity Graduate Christian group at the beginning of the semester. We hope it will encourage you whether you read it now as we approach … [Read more...] about Remembering the Sabbath (Growing Spiritually in Academic Life Series)
In Transition? Find an InterVarsity Campus Group
It's that time of year when many people are moving from campus to campus, starting new endeavors, and trying to find community in new places. If you're in transition now and looking for a Christian fellowship where you'll be moving, check out InterVarsity's handy Chapters page, where you can search the whole United States for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA fellowships, including graduate and faculty chapters. If you're looking for a fellowship outside the United States, the International Fellowship of … [Read more...] about In Transition? Find an InterVarsity Campus Group
Letter to My Self, Starting Graduate School
Historian Ryan Wilkinson, PhD finished and starting a tenure track job in the fall, writes a letter to himself at the beginning of graduate school. We hope it's a great encouragement, wherever you are on your academic journey. Dear Me, Well, congratulations—you're going to graduate school! So—this is your future self, writing from a decade ahead to let you know that you'll have a lot of fun. On the other hand . . . it won't all be easy. Hmmm? What do I mean? Well, let me give you some examples. … [Read more...] about Letter to My Self, Starting Graduate School
Finding A Graduate Program in the Social Sciences, Part 1: Getting Started
Thinking about a graduate school search in the social sciences, or advising students who are? In this two-part series, Kateri Collins shares advice, steps, and checklists to help plan a search process. Read Kateri's own graduate school search story here, or explore her suggestions on finding mentors or her reflections on inhabiting transitional time well. When you are thinking about going to graduate school and do not know where to start, the process can feel intimidating. Yes, applying to grad school is an … [Read more...] about Finding A Graduate Program in the Social Sciences, Part 1: Getting Started