Habits, Not Hacks: Stories and Strategies for Grad School That Stick
Our goal is to infuse the grad school conversation with emotional intelligence, resilience, and sustainable success - exactly what many students crave but often struggle to articulate. This story-driven, reflective series tailored for the unique challenges of academic life. Through short essays, mini-memoirs, and hard-earned lessons, we spotlight small but meaningful habits that make academic life more livable and less overwhelming.
Bonus: Each habit also comes with a companion PI/Supervisor Edition, because sustainable success in grad school isn’t a solo effort.
Habit, Not Hack: Managing Expectations Before They Manage You
Learn how managing expectations can transform your grad school experience. It can reduce miscommunication, ease anxiety, and build stronger mentoring relationships.
Habit, Not Hack: Managing Expectations Before They Manage You (PI Edition)
Learn how making expectations explicit can strengthen your mentorship from the start. This post offers practical insights for advisors and PIs on building trust, reducing confusion, and creating psychologically safe research environments.
Habit, Not Hack: MMM - Make Meetings Matter
Grad students: Don’t just attend your meetings, make them matter. This post breaks down a simple pre-, during-, and post-meeting routine that transforms advisor check-ins into strategic moments for clarity, feedback, and progress.
Habit, Not Hack: MMM — Make Meetings Matter (PI Edition)
Meetings aren’t just check-ins; they’re where real mentorship happens. In this post, learn a simple habit to make your meetings more intentional, clear, and effective. Discover how asking the right questions and following up can turn routine conversations into high-impact moments of connection and growth.
Habit, Not Hack: MGMM — Make Group Meetings Matter
Turn passive lab meetings into growth sessions: actionable tips for grad students to prepare, engage, and thrive in every lab meeting.
Habit, Not Hack: MGMM — Make Group Meetings Matter (PI and Audience Edition)
Make lab meetings matter: actionable habits for grad students and PIs to prepare, engage, and build a culture of scientific growth.