First day of doctoral program

[Water Lily]

Hi all!

I just wanted to post on my first day of orientation for graduate school. I am so exhausted but had so much fun today. I am in training to be a Graduate Student Instructor. Part of our requirement was to give a 5-10 minute presentation and I did really well!  I didn't vomit, anyway! Tomorrow we have another 10 minute scientific teaching presentation to give with just a chalkboard and notes.

I am remembering why I love academia so much - it is incredibly taxing creatively. I am so exhausted I don't think I could daydream about my alternate reality if I tried. Instead, I ruminate over questions asked in class, imagining all the different answers someone could give, which ones would be most well received... I run the presentation over and over again in my mind, adding a new line here or there and then imagining how the class would react. It can be immensely overwhelming and stressful, but at the same time it is very rewarding to use my imagination toward something that will help my career and make positive change in the world. 

I am going to continue posting on my progress throughout the year. I will inevitably need support and reassurance through all the chaos as I juggle my reality and fantasy lives. But I am off to a good start!

[Rafael Hernandez]

congratulations!