Grad School Deconstructed

As a grad student, it can sometimes feel that the only relationship you have is with your schoolwork, but we know there are other people in your life, too! In this episode, Jorge, Stephanie, and Dylan discuss the different types of relationships that grad students are involved in, from faculty to family and friends to romantic relationships, we have you covered!!  

What's the code here!?! Join Rose & Jorge in this episode as they discuss code-switching in graduate school and the challenges surrounding when code-switching occurs. Join them as they share their unique experiences discussing how they navigated code-switching in their daily lives.

You identify as a student, but a lot of grad school includes teaching others. How do you transition between student to teacher roles as a student? In this episode, we explore the challenges of learning to teach as a grad student. We hope to help you avoid an identity crisis as you impart your knowledge to others throughout grad school. Join Jorge & Stephanie in this week’s podcast as they share their unique experiences learning to teach others as graduate students.

Join Rose & Jorge in this episode as they share their unique experiences as first-generation graduate students and explore how graduate school can look for those preparing to embark on that journey!

In time for the start of the fall semester, we are coming at you with all-new hosts and a slightly new format.  Welcome to Grad School Deconstructed, reconstructed!  This podcast explores the graduate school experience from unique and diverse perspectives where we highlight the good, the bad, and the funny. In this episode, meet Dylan, Rose, and Jorge, as they join Stephanie as your grad school guides. Hear what each host brings to the show and how their unique perspectives shed light on the grad school experience. 

In this episode, Stephanie Marder and guest co-host Dylan Campbell delve into a discussion about cultivating mentoring relationships in grad school. From new grad students to those who already have a mentor (or two), this show’s for you!

In this episode of GSD we invite Gina Martin to join us in discussing the idea of personal growth while in grad school. We examine how the range of the challenges we face in our lives not only impact but possibly enhance our grad school experience. Where are those opportunities for growth? Let’s find them together!!

In this episode, Phoenix and Stephanie discuss how they have been occupying their time created by the Coronavirus pandemic (surprise!! It isn’t ALL dissertation, either). From gardening to gaming, join us as we consider the opportunities for exploring areas of personal interest and self-care as we head into the second half of the semester as “grad students of the pandemic”. 

In this episode, Steph and Phoenix discuss the feelings of disconnection we experience as part of the grad school experience. From the ways disconnection occurs to feeling connected once more to the work we love, we cover something relative to your grad school experience.

Meet our new GSD co-host, Phoenix!! In this episode, we chat with Phoenix and get discover some of the wonderful things she’s bringing to GSD. We also discuss our hopes and dreams for future GSD episodes in this new era.

Clark and Steph chat with Dr. Tony Suarez, an assistant professor at Valparaiso University about his research looking at marriage and graduate school student experiences. Hosts and Tony discuss inherent barriers for coupled students, as well as ways to overcome these barriers and have healthy relationships while in graduate school.

In grad school, you get by with a little help from your friends. How do you find the network of individuals who eventually become your "people"? Join Steph, Clark, and their very special guest, Jose Luis Tapia-Fuselier Jr. (Joey), as they explore how to find friends on all levels through the graduate school experience.

In this episode, Clark and Steph share strategies for overcoming boring assignments and for pumping up PowerPoints in graduate school, through the use of technology and innovative online programs. Hosts also discuss how to foster creativity, work smarter, not harder, and utilize experience-based teaching/learning in classes.

It's finally here!! Part 2 of our conference discussion explores how to go from attendee to presenter! Clark and Steph serve the "t" about submitting proposals, common proposal submission procedures, dealing with proposal acceptance and rejection, and sharing the credit with proposal team members.

Every graduate student faces the dilemma of whether not to attend professional conferences. Per usual, Clark and Steph ‘dish the deets’ about the pros and cons of attending conferences, helpful tips when attending, how to prepare, and they share their own personal experiences from conferences. Part 1 of 2 explores conferences from the ‘attendee’ perspective. Look out for Part 2, where Clark and Steph explore what it’s like to be a presenter at a professional conference!

As a graduate student, you will likely have to consider whether or not the option to apply for and/or accept a graduate assistantship (GA). In this episode, Steph and Clark get down 'n' dirty discussing the benefits and potential drawbacks of accepting a GA position. Join us for an honest discussion which reflects the voices of you, our listeners, about how to figure out if accepting a GA is right for you.

Was Theodore Roosevelt wrong when he said “comparison is the thief of joy”? Find out on this show! Hosts Clark and Steph deconstruct the nuances of competition and comparison in graduate school. Hosts discuss how to strengthen yourself in a cut-throat academic environment, using others as resources, and fostering meaningful relationships and experiences.

Steph and Clark conduct their first interview with Graduate Student Committee Co-Chair, Ashley Waddington. Ashley shares her extensive knowledge on common graduate student concerns such as transitioning from graduate student to professional, networking, and that ever-present imposter syndrome. Please join us for this informative and refreshing interview.

Sniffles and sneezes and fevers, oh my! In this episode of GSD, Clark and Stephanie discuss the all-too-familiar feelings of illness and how to navigate being sick while in graduate school. From common colds to extended illnesses, to planned periods away from campus – hosts share their experiences, offer practical advice, and admonish all of those students who continue to come to class, looking like death warmed over. (Stay home!)

Juggling relationships can lead to rough sailing as a graduate student.  From peers to faculty to personal connections, how we develop and/or maintain these connections greatly impacts our grad school experience.  In this episode, Steph and Clark explore the ways we shoot-the-(relationship)-rapids through forming and maintaining multiple relationships as grad students.