https://simplecast.com Grad School Confidential Pulling back the curtain on grad student life. en Fri, 16 May 2025 06:16:58 +0000 Fri, 16 May 2025 06:39:40 +0000 https://gradschoolconfidential.simplecast.com Grad School Confidential https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/6fc5ff8e-7f0f-48c0-8991-13da4bcdce2a/57a75ff5-7d1d-45c2-8e4e-a9458ea79a24/3000x3000/fgsr-grad-confidential-podcast-logo-3000px-03.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://gradschoolconfidential.simplecast.com episodic Pulling back the curtain on grad student life. Suman Varghese, Robert B. Desjardins false https://feeds.simplecast.com/3jPMxLun grad school, graduate school, mental health, post secondary, student life, students, university, master's, phd, wellness, post graduate student FGSR gradschoolconfidentialpodcast@gmail.com 885d00ab-3ebd-4c04-84a7-4969399e0ffc Should I Stay or Should I Go? Thousands of people start graduate programs every year – and over time, many come to question their choice.  

Is the program right for me? Do I have too much going on in my life? Should I keep pursuing my degree – investing my time, energy and sense of my own identity in such a major undertaking? Is it worth it? Or would I be better off leaving?

]]> Fri, 16 May 2025 06:16:58 +0000 gradschoolconfidentialpodcast@gmail.com (Robert B. Desjardins, Suman Varghese) https://gradschoolconfidential.simplecast.com/episodes/should-i-stay-or-should-i-go-4Ccuu_PS Thousands of people start graduate programs every year – and over time, many come to question their choice.  

Is the program right for me? Do I have too much going on in my life? Should I keep pursuing my degree – investing my time, energy and sense of my own identity in such a major undertaking? Is it worth it? Or would I be better off leaving?

]]> Should I Stay or Should I Go? Robert B. Desjardins, Suman Varghese 00:27:59 Thousands of people start graduate programs every year – and over time, many come to question their choice. Is the program right for me? Do I have too much going on in my life? Should I keep pursuing my degree – investing my time, energy and sense of my own identity in such a major undertaking? Is it worth it? Or would I be better off leaving? We asked five current and former graduate students how they dealt with these questions, and, in the end, reached a decision they could live with. Thousands of people start graduate programs every year – and over time, many come to question their choice. Is the program right for me? Do I have too much going on in my life? Should I keep pursuing my degree – investing my time, energy and sense of my own identity in such a major undertaking? Is it worth it? Or would I be better off leaving? We asked five current and former graduate students how they dealt with these questions, and, in the end, reached a decision they could live with. quitting phd, should i quit grad school, grad school, quitting masters, university, grad student, graduate school, quitting grad school, graduate student, drop out, ambivalence, attrition false full 10 c05ad75f-d4a6-4f35-9524-965fa3e0dae1 Why Is Thesis-Writing So Damned Hard? You sit down at the keyboard, ready to write up your research. But the harder you try, the worse you seem to feel.

Today we ask a vexing question: what makes thesis-writing so mentally and emotionally taxing? 

We talk to two former grad students about their struggles with self-doubt, anxiety and loneliness in the writing process. We also gain insights from University of Toronto writing scholar Rachael Cayley.

Music credits: 

Licensed from soundstripe.com: "Shaken and Stirred" by Dreamland (theme song); “Boo Instrumental” by Dresden the Flamingo; “Beyond All Time” by Moments; “Transporter” by Falls; “Causality” by Shimmer; “Unexpected Turn” by Moments; “Pages” by Shimmer; “What You Are Here For” by Moments; “Crescendo” by Featherland.

]]> Mon, 27 May 2024 19:11:44 +0000 gradschoolconfidentialpodcast@gmail.com (Suman Varghese, Robert B. Desjardins) https://gradschoolconfidential.simplecast.com/episodes/why-is-thesis-writing-so-damned-hard-Y6steEb0 You sit down at the keyboard, ready to write up your research. But the harder you try, the worse you seem to feel.

Today we ask a vexing question: what makes thesis-writing so mentally and emotionally taxing? 

We talk to two former grad students about their struggles with self-doubt, anxiety and loneliness in the writing process. We also gain insights from University of Toronto writing scholar Rachael Cayley.

Music credits: 

Licensed from soundstripe.com: "Shaken and Stirred" by Dreamland (theme song); “Boo Instrumental” by Dresden the Flamingo; “Beyond All Time” by Moments; “Transporter” by Falls; “Causality” by Shimmer; “Unexpected Turn” by Moments; “Pages” by Shimmer; “What You Are Here For” by Moments; “Crescendo” by Featherland.

]]> Why Is Thesis-Writing So Damned Hard? Suman Varghese, Robert B. Desjardins 00:18:18 You sit down at the keyboard, ready to write up your research. But the harder you try, the worse you seem to feel. This episode asks: why is thesis-writing so mentally and emotionally taxing? We talk to two writers about their struggles with self-doubt, anxiety and loneliness and look for new ways to think about academic writing. You sit down at the keyboard, ready to write up your research. But the harder you try, the worse you seem to feel. This episode asks: why is thesis-writing so mentally and emotionally taxing? We talk to two writers about their struggles with self-doubt, anxiety and loneliness and look for new ways to think about academic writing. mental health, failure, rachael cayley, perfectionism, grad school, thesis, imposter syndrome, communal, pressure, graduate school, self-doubt, dissertation, isolation, graduate writer, anxiety, writing false full 9 607d7d59-1a67-423f-88cc-2377204a2e9e The Mother of All Episodes: On Parenting in Grad School In this episode, two mothers tell us what it’s like to take on these daunting tasks at the same time. They share their feelings of guilt and recount moments of exhaustion. 

When they do get the help they need, we learn, it’s often from individuals who care, rather than from a system that isn’t really built to support them. 

Together, these stories help us all understand the experiences of graduate student parents a little bit better. And for all the parents out there, we hope it helps you realize you’re not alone in finding this hard.

Music credits: 

Licensed from  soundstripe.com: "Shaken and Stirred" by Dreamland (theme song); “Growing Pains” by Featherland; “Aurora” by Featherland; “Sacred Ground” by Falls; “Denali” by Bryant Lowry; “Secret” by MCV Beatz

]]> Wed, 4 Oct 2023 12:00:00 +0000 gradschoolconfidentialpodcast@gmail.com (Robert B. Desjardins, Suman Varghese) https://gradschoolconfidential.simplecast.com/episodes/parenting-p8TK_ys8 In this episode, two mothers tell us what it’s like to take on these daunting tasks at the same time. They share their feelings of guilt and recount moments of exhaustion. 

When they do get the help they need, we learn, it’s often from individuals who care, rather than from a system that isn’t really built to support them. 

Together, these stories help us all understand the experiences of graduate student parents a little bit better. And for all the parents out there, we hope it helps you realize you’re not alone in finding this hard.

Music credits: 

Licensed from  soundstripe.com: "Shaken and Stirred" by Dreamland (theme song); “Growing Pains” by Featherland; “Aurora” by Featherland; “Sacred Ground” by Falls; “Denali” by Bryant Lowry; “Secret” by MCV Beatz

]]> The Mother of All Episodes: On Parenting in Grad School Robert B. Desjardins, Suman Varghese 00:17:02 Navigating a graduate program is tough at the best of times. But doing so as a parent presents a whole new set of challenges. In this episode, two students share stories to help us all understand the plight of graduate student parents a little bit better. And for all the parents out there, we hope it helps you realize you're not alone in finding this hard. Navigating a graduate program is tough at the best of times. But doing so as a parent presents a whole new set of challenges. In this episode, two students share stories to help us all understand the plight of graduate student parents a little bit better. And for all the parents out there, we hope it helps you realize you're not alone in finding this hard. grad school, kids, grad students, graduate students, graduate school, children, parents, systemic barriers, parenting, grad student parents false full 8 427803e6-900e-4d81-ac11-8e71d5f66c9e The Goldilocks Zone: On Balance in Grad School People are always telling you to find work-life balance. It’s easy to say, but why is it so hard to do? 

In this episode, we explore the struggle that every grad student experiences: trying to find the right balance between spending time on academics and living the rest of their life. 

Several grad students, past and present, share their stories. They talk about the guilt of saying no, the anxiety of proving they belong and the mistakes they made along the way. They point to a sobering, but perhaps reassuring, conclusion: finding the perfect balance – and staying there, in the Goldilocks Zone – may be an impossible dream.

Music credits: 

Licensed from soundstripe.com: "Shaken and Stirred" by Dreamland (theme song); “Hypnotized” by Cast of Characters; “Ticking” by Alternate Endings; “Exploring the Unknown” by Adam Saban; “Caffeinated Marimba” by JCar; “Old Moon” by Lincoln Davis; “Which Witch” by Dresden the Flamingo; “Glasgow” by Falls; “Pensive” by Shimmer; “As Fate Would Have It” by Wicked Cinema; “Particles” by Chelsea McGough.

]]> Fri, 14 Apr 2023 02:40:22 +0000 gradschoolconfidentialpodcast@gmail.com (Robert B. Desjardins, Suman Varghese) https://gradschoolconfidential.simplecast.com/episodes/the-goldilocks-zone-_8CyOJSb People are always telling you to find work-life balance. It’s easy to say, but why is it so hard to do? 

In this episode, we explore the struggle that every grad student experiences: trying to find the right balance between spending time on academics and living the rest of their life. 

Several grad students, past and present, share their stories. They talk about the guilt of saying no, the anxiety of proving they belong and the mistakes they made along the way. They point to a sobering, but perhaps reassuring, conclusion: finding the perfect balance – and staying there, in the Goldilocks Zone – may be an impossible dream.

Music credits: 

Licensed from soundstripe.com: "Shaken and Stirred" by Dreamland (theme song); “Hypnotized” by Cast of Characters; “Ticking” by Alternate Endings; “Exploring the Unknown” by Adam Saban; “Caffeinated Marimba” by JCar; “Old Moon” by Lincoln Davis; “Which Witch” by Dresden the Flamingo; “Glasgow” by Falls; “Pensive” by Shimmer; “As Fate Would Have It” by Wicked Cinema; “Particles” by Chelsea McGough.

]]> The Goldilocks Zone: On Balance in Grad School Robert B. Desjardins, Suman Varghese 00:20:22 People are always telling you to find work-life balance. It’s easy to say, but why is it so hard to do? In this episode, current and former grad students talk about the guilt of saying no, the anxiety of proving they belong and the mistakes they made along the way. They tell us that finding the perfect balance – and staying there, in the Goldilocks Zone – may be an impossible dream. People are always telling you to find work-life balance. It’s easy to say, but why is it so hard to do? In this episode, current and former grad students talk about the guilt of saying no, the anxiety of proving they belong and the mistakes they made along the way. They tell us that finding the perfect balance – and staying there, in the Goldilocks Zone – may be an impossible dream. undercommitting, guilt, grad school, university, work life balance, saying no, graduate school, boundaries, busy, academics, mistakes, balance, overcommitting, student life false full 7 7b100d99-772e-4f5d-9013-c87826248d13 In the Shadow of Trauma Grad school is challenging at the best of times. But students who have experienced past trauma may find it especially hard to cope. 

In this episode, we speak with two students who embarked on PhD programs while nursing personal wounds. One endured a terror attack in France; the other experienced years of domestic abuse. They share their struggles with academic life, and tell us how they came to understand and deal with their trauma.

Please note: This episode contains content some listeners may find disturbing. For information and resources on dealing with trauma, see our Resources page.

Music credits: 

Licensed from soundstripe.com: “Thing Gone Wrong” by Moments; “Sussex” by Stephen Keech; “Light in the Dark” by Moments; “Corners” by Shimmer; “Memories of Future Events” by Hill; “Another Time, Another Place” by Sounds Like Sander ; "Shaken and Stirred" by Dreamland (theme song).

]]> Mon, 11 Jul 2022 14:57:23 +0000 gradschoolconfidentialpodcast@gmail.com (Suman Varghese, Robert B. Desjardins) https://gradschoolconfidential.simplecast.com/episodes/trauma-KRIgPmDC Grad school is challenging at the best of times. But students who have experienced past trauma may find it especially hard to cope. 

In this episode, we speak with two students who embarked on PhD programs while nursing personal wounds. One endured a terror attack in France; the other experienced years of domestic abuse. They share their struggles with academic life, and tell us how they came to understand and deal with their trauma.

Please note: This episode contains content some listeners may find disturbing. For information and resources on dealing with trauma, see our Resources page.

Music credits: 

Licensed from soundstripe.com: “Thing Gone Wrong” by Moments; “Sussex” by Stephen Keech; “Light in the Dark” by Moments; “Corners” by Shimmer; “Memories of Future Events” by Hill; “Another Time, Another Place” by Sounds Like Sander ; "Shaken and Stirred" by Dreamland (theme song).

]]> In the Shadow of Trauma Suman Varghese, Robert B. Desjardins 00:25:28 Grad school is challenging at the best of times. But students who have experienced past trauma may find it especially hard to cope. In this episode of Grad School Confidential, we speak with two students who embarked on PhD studies while nursing personal wounds. Note: Contains content some listeners may find disturbing. Grad school is challenging at the best of times. But students who have experienced past trauma may find it especially hard to cope. In this episode of Grad School Confidential, we speak with two students who embarked on PhD studies while nursing personal wounds. Note: Contains content some listeners may find disturbing. trauma, terror attack, student, grad school, abuse, phd, university, grad student, graduate school, impacts of trauma false full 6 c0b10c6f-96dc-4751-9e39-586ecbeba4cb “Like an Empty Shell”: Living with Depression in Grad School Depression is more than just a feeling: it’s a mood disorder that can have devastating effects on our thoughts and behaviour. And it can be hard to detect in a high-pressure environment like grad school.

In this episode, we speak with a grad student who experienced depression during her PhD program. She explains the onset of the condition, what it felt like, and how she reached out for help.

Please note: This episode contains discussions of suicidal thoughts and other troubling subjects. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to one of the crisis lines listed on our Resources page.

Music credits: 

Licensed from soundstripe.com: “Haunted” by Emorie; "Shaken and Stirred" by Dreamland (theme song); “Haunted” by Stephen Keech; “Arcadia” by Cody Martin; “Ripley” by Falls; “Three Meters” by Stephen Keech; “The Changing Tides” by Brent Wood; “1947” by Stephen Keech; “Chasing the Northern Lights” by Sounds Like Sander.

Grad School Confidential is a production of Counselling & Clinical Services at the University of Alberta.

]]> Mon, 20 Sep 2021 15:01:47 +0000 gradschoolconfidentialpodcast@gmail.com (Rob Desjardins, Suman Varghese) https://gradschoolconfidential.simplecast.com/episodes/living-with-depression-H_7mWaej Depression is more than just a feeling: it’s a mood disorder that can have devastating effects on our thoughts and behaviour. And it can be hard to detect in a high-pressure environment like grad school.

In this episode, we speak with a grad student who experienced depression during her PhD program. She explains the onset of the condition, what it felt like, and how she reached out for help.

Please note: This episode contains discussions of suicidal thoughts and other troubling subjects. If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please reach out to one of the crisis lines listed on our Resources page.

Music credits: 

Licensed from soundstripe.com: “Haunted” by Emorie; "Shaken and Stirred" by Dreamland (theme song); “Haunted” by Stephen Keech; “Arcadia” by Cody Martin; “Ripley” by Falls; “Three Meters” by Stephen Keech; “The Changing Tides” by Brent Wood; “1947” by Stephen Keech; “Chasing the Northern Lights” by Sounds Like Sander.

Grad School Confidential is a production of Counselling & Clinical Services at the University of Alberta.

]]> “Like an Empty Shell”: Living with Depression in Grad School Rob Desjardins, Suman Varghese 00:22:33 Graduate students are more likely than most people to experience depression — a disorder that can have devastating effects on our thoughts and behaviour. In this episode, a recent PhD student explains what depression felt like, and how she reached out for help. Note: Contains discussions of suicidal thoughts and other troubling subjects. Graduate students are more likely than most people to experience depression — a disorder that can have devastating effects on our thoughts and behaviour. In this episode, a recent PhD student explains what depression felt like, and how she reached out for help. Note: Contains discussions of suicidal thoughts and other troubling subjects. negative thoughts, grad school, depression, master's, phd, university, major depression, grad student, graduate school, suicidal thoughts, suicide false full 5 38457b19-e369-4b02-9d37-2f507032f2c1 That Sinking Feeling: On Dealing with Criticism
Pointed critiques may come with the territory in academic life, but that doesn't make them any easier to hear.

Join us for a conversation with Hayley and Jenna — recent PhD graduates (and successful academics) who have faced and overcome tough feedback. 

They share their stories, and Kevin D. Haggerty, co-author of 57 Ways to Screw Up in Grad School, discusses the reasons that such criticism can hit hard.

For more on this and other episodes of Grad School Confidential, visit our website: uab.ca/gsc.

Guests:

  • Dr. Kevin D. Haggerty, Professor of Criminology and Sociology, University of Alberta
  • Dr. Hayley Morrison, Assistant Professor, Department of Elementary Education, University of Alberta
  • Dr. Jenna Lorusso, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Limerick
     

Music credits: 

Licensed from soundstripe.com: "Shaken and Stirred" by Dreamland (theme song); “Brennar” by Falls; “Wistful” by Falls; “Raindrops” by Moments; “Crocuta” by Hill; “Apostle of Ireland” by Cody Martin; “Full Circle” by Sounds Like Sander; “Remember This” by Craig Allen Fravel; “Escape” by Memory Theory; “Cayuga Land” by Alsever Lake.

Grad School Confidential  is a production of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research at the University of Alberta.

]]> Mon, 3 May 2021 20:32:35 +0000 gradschoolconfidentialpodcast@gmail.com (Robert B. Desjardins, Suman Varghese) https://gradschoolconfidential.simplecast.com/episodes/criticism-Pq8R_GxO
Pointed critiques may come with the territory in academic life, but that doesn't make them any easier to hear.

Join us for a conversation with Hayley and Jenna — recent PhD graduates (and successful academics) who have faced and overcome tough feedback. 

They share their stories, and Kevin D. Haggerty, co-author of 57 Ways to Screw Up in Grad School, discusses the reasons that such criticism can hit hard.

For more on this and other episodes of Grad School Confidential, visit our website: uab.ca/gsc.

Guests:

  • Dr. Kevin D. Haggerty, Professor of Criminology and Sociology, University of Alberta
  • Dr. Hayley Morrison, Assistant Professor, Department of Elementary Education, University of Alberta
  • Dr. Jenna Lorusso, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Limerick
     

Music credits: 

Licensed from soundstripe.com: "Shaken and Stirred" by Dreamland (theme song); “Brennar” by Falls; “Wistful” by Falls; “Raindrops” by Moments; “Crocuta” by Hill; “Apostle of Ireland” by Cody Martin; “Full Circle” by Sounds Like Sander; “Remember This” by Craig Allen Fravel; “Escape” by Memory Theory; “Cayuga Land” by Alsever Lake.

Grad School Confidential  is a production of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research at the University of Alberta.

]]> That Sinking Feeling: On Dealing with Criticism Robert B. Desjardins, Suman Varghese 00:22:29 Feeling discouraged — and a bit stunned — by some tough academic criticism? You're not alone. In this episode, we explore those painful moments in the face of criticism, why it hurts so much and how to respond. Two PhD graduates share their stories, and we hear from author Kevin D. Haggerty. Feeling discouraged — and a bit stunned — by some tough academic criticism? You're not alone. In this episode, we explore those painful moments in the face of criticism, why it hurts so much and how to respond. Two PhD graduates share their stories, and we hear from author Kevin D. Haggerty. academic critique, feedback, discouraged, grad school, master's, grad students, phd, graduate students, kevin d haggerty, graduate school, criticism, 57 ways to screw up in grad school false full 4 ea80b9ec-db92-42f9-9ce5-995cfe45bce2 Hitting the Wall: On Burnout in Grad School Feeling spent, exhausted, over-extended? If so, you’re not alone. Grad students trying to balance the demands of life with new academic challenges often find themselves contending with burnout.

Join us for a conversation with Chantal, Katherine and Alle — grad students who know what the struggle is like. They share their stories, and we explore some useful remedies.

For more on this and other episodes of Grad School Confidential, visit our website: uab.ca/gsc.

Music credits:

Licensed from soundstripe.com: "Shaken and Stirred" by Dreamland (theme song); “Gem” by Nu Alkemi$t; “River Walk” by Wild Wonder; “What You Do Not Know” by Joshua Spacht; “Many Worlds” by Memory Theory; “Through Space and Time” by Alsever Lake; “Life in Binary” by Falls.

“Marimba on the Hunt” by Daniel Birch, available from freemusicarchive.com under a CC.BY-NC 4.0 licence.

Grad School Confidential is a production of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research at the University of Alberta.

]]> Wed, 17 Feb 2021 03:28:16 +0000 gradschoolconfidentialpodcast@gmail.com (Robert B. Desjardins, Suman Varghese) https://gradschoolconfidential.simplecast.com/episodes/burnout-Q8igCsAv Feeling spent, exhausted, over-extended? If so, you’re not alone. Grad students trying to balance the demands of life with new academic challenges often find themselves contending with burnout.

Join us for a conversation with Chantal, Katherine and Alle — grad students who know what the struggle is like. They share their stories, and we explore some useful remedies.

For more on this and other episodes of Grad School Confidential, visit our website: uab.ca/gsc.

Music credits:

Licensed from soundstripe.com: "Shaken and Stirred" by Dreamland (theme song); “Gem” by Nu Alkemi$t; “River Walk” by Wild Wonder; “What You Do Not Know” by Joshua Spacht; “Many Worlds” by Memory Theory; “Through Space and Time” by Alsever Lake; “Life in Binary” by Falls.

“Marimba on the Hunt” by Daniel Birch, available from freemusicarchive.com under a CC.BY-NC 4.0 licence.

Grad School Confidential is a production of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research at the University of Alberta.

]]> Hitting the Wall: On Burnout in Grad School Robert B. Desjardins, Suman Varghese 00:17:07 Feeling spent and exhausted? You're not alone. In this episode, three grad students tell stories about burnout at various points in their programs. They also share strategies for coping with the physical and emotional toll those experiences take. Feeling spent and exhausted? You're not alone. In this episode, three grad students tell stories about burnout at various points in their programs. They also share strategies for coping with the physical and emotional toll those experiences take. mental health, burnt out, depersonalization, stress, grad school, prolonged stress, depression, university, burnout, graduate school, tired, exhaustion, anxiety, strategies, unmotivated, chronic stress false full 3 8a3ffe68-e305-44b9-a637-13bd455430a8 Scholars in a Dangerous Time: Loneliness, Isolation and COVID-19 Grad studies are a lonely task at the best of times. Throw in a pandemic that keeps us away from friends and loved ones, and the days can be harder to navigate. 

Join us for a conversation with Leah and Rubio, grad students who have struggled with loneliness and isolation during this unprecedented year.

For more on this and other episodes of Grad School Confidential, visit our website: uab.ca/gsc.

Music credits:

Licensed from soundstripe.com: "Shaken and Stirred" by Dreamland (theme song); “Skeptical” by Lincoln Davis; “Lift It Up and Feel Good” by Rhythm Scott; “Drama Dee” by Rhythm Scott; “Moonflower” by Matt Wigton; “No Place To Go” by Alsever Lake; “Distant Memories” by Joshua Spacht; “Wait For The Morning” by Joshua Spacht.

Grad School Confidential is a production of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research at the University of Alberta.

]]> Mon, 14 Dec 2020 19:22:15 +0000 gradschoolconfidentialpodcast@gmail.com (Robert B. Desjardins, Suman Varghese) https://gradschoolconfidential.simplecast.com/episodes/scholars-in-a-dangerous-time-JgIjxT_g Grad studies are a lonely task at the best of times. Throw in a pandemic that keeps us away from friends and loved ones, and the days can be harder to navigate. 

Join us for a conversation with Leah and Rubio, grad students who have struggled with loneliness and isolation during this unprecedented year.

For more on this and other episodes of Grad School Confidential, visit our website: uab.ca/gsc.

Music credits:

Licensed from soundstripe.com: "Shaken and Stirred" by Dreamland (theme song); “Skeptical” by Lincoln Davis; “Lift It Up and Feel Good” by Rhythm Scott; “Drama Dee” by Rhythm Scott; “Moonflower” by Matt Wigton; “No Place To Go” by Alsever Lake; “Distant Memories” by Joshua Spacht; “Wait For The Morning” by Joshua Spacht.

Grad School Confidential is a production of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research at the University of Alberta.

]]> Scholars in a Dangerous Time: Loneliness, Isolation and COVID-19 Robert B. Desjardins, Suman Varghese 00:19:42 Finding this pandemic year hard to navigate? You’re not alone. In this episode we chat with two grad students who have struggled to deal with the loneliness and isolation brought on by COVID-19. They have plenty of wisdom to share. Finding this pandemic year hard to navigate? You’re not alone. In this episode we chat with two grad students who have struggled to deal with the loneliness and isolation brought on by COVID-19. They have plenty of wisdom to share. loneliness, mental health, graduate students, covid-19, grad student, university of alberta, pandemic, graduate school, isolation false full 2 ef5816d3-aa2f-4998-aeff-ba9d4e33646f "Who Am I to Talk About Impostor Syndrome?" Does it sometimes feel like other grad students have it all together in the classroom and in the lab...while you don't have a clue what you're doing? 

You're not alone. 

Many grad students grapple with impostor syndrome, hard as it is to talk about. In this episode, we look closely at those feelings to figure out where they come from and how to overcome them. Along the way, we talk with Dylan, a student who learned a lot about himself after an epic bout with impostor syndrome.

For more on this and other episodes of Grad School Confidential, visit our website: uab.ca/gsc.

Music credits:

Licensed from soundstripe.com: "Shaken and Stirred" by Dreamland (theme song); "Forbidden Wing" by Cody Martin (opening); "Home Life" by Avocado Junkie (GSA message).

Licensed from storyblocks.com (for Dylan's story): "On Tiptoe" (audio); "Bizet's Habanera" by Keith Anthony Holden; "Seminar People Talking" (audio); "102518-wib-1m8"; "Sneak a Peek" by Bruce Zimmerman; "Turning Cogs" by Keith Anthony Holden.

Other musical excerpts include hikmet_minor2, performed by Hikmet Altunbaşlıer and created by emirdemirel, available from freesound.org under a CC BY 3.0 license; trumpetsolo0_hikmet.aiff, performed by Hikmet Altunbaşlıer and created by emirdemirel, available from freesound.org under a CC0 1.0 license; Performance Warm Up.wav by thatjeffcarter, available from freesound.org under a CC0 1.0 license; and tracks recorded by the Alberta Honour Band (1999).

Grad School Confidential is a production of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Alberta.

]]> Thu, 5 Nov 2020 19:57:39 +0000 gradschoolconfidentialpodcast@gmail.com (Robert B. Desjardins, Suman Varghese) https://gradschoolconfidential.simplecast.com/episodes/who-am-i-to-talk-about-impostor-syndrome-GhLIm0d_ Does it sometimes feel like other grad students have it all together in the classroom and in the lab...while you don't have a clue what you're doing? 

You're not alone. 

Many grad students grapple with impostor syndrome, hard as it is to talk about. In this episode, we look closely at those feelings to figure out where they come from and how to overcome them. Along the way, we talk with Dylan, a student who learned a lot about himself after an epic bout with impostor syndrome.

For more on this and other episodes of Grad School Confidential, visit our website: uab.ca/gsc.

Music credits:

Licensed from soundstripe.com: "Shaken and Stirred" by Dreamland (theme song); "Forbidden Wing" by Cody Martin (opening); "Home Life" by Avocado Junkie (GSA message).

Licensed from storyblocks.com (for Dylan's story): "On Tiptoe" (audio); "Bizet's Habanera" by Keith Anthony Holden; "Seminar People Talking" (audio); "102518-wib-1m8"; "Sneak a Peek" by Bruce Zimmerman; "Turning Cogs" by Keith Anthony Holden.

Other musical excerpts include hikmet_minor2, performed by Hikmet Altunbaşlıer and created by emirdemirel, available from freesound.org under a CC BY 3.0 license; trumpetsolo0_hikmet.aiff, performed by Hikmet Altunbaşlıer and created by emirdemirel, available from freesound.org under a CC0 1.0 license; Performance Warm Up.wav by thatjeffcarter, available from freesound.org under a CC0 1.0 license; and tracks recorded by the Alberta Honour Band (1999).

Grad School Confidential is a production of the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research, University of Alberta.

]]> "Who Am I to Talk About Impostor Syndrome?" Robert B. Desjardins, Suman Varghese 00:20:11 Impostor syndrome is one of the most common, and least talked-about, struggles in graduate student life. In our inaugural episode, we ask why grad students are so vulnerable to these feelings and share some strategies for addressing them. Impostor syndrome is one of the most common, and least talked-about, struggles in graduate student life. In our inaugural episode, we ask why grad students are so vulnerable to these feelings and share some strategies for addressing them. phony, stress, impostor phenomenon, impostor syndrome, workaholism, perfectionism, grad school, post graduate students, master's, phd, identity, fraud, grad student, graduate school, graduate student, anxiety, self-esteem false full 1