Things to remember

Set Milestones

1) Research Topic / Proposal

2) First Committee meeting / POSC

3) Professional Development

4) First Professional Conference

5) Structure Your Thesis / Dissertation

6) Preliminary Examination

7) Final Oral Examination

Advice

1) Communication

2) Seek Feedback: Asked to be evaluated

3) Keep in Contact with Committee

4) Broaden and Engage

5) Be a Good "Citizen"

6) Write Regularly 

I attended a Graduation Orientation for all international students today. Principal members of graduate committee took turns giving a public speech. I absolutely loved it.

And the list above is from the orientation. 

Getting a Ph.D. degree doesn't solely mean that you become an expert in certain fields but you know how to lead a team with leadership and communication skills. And writing skills are also really important.

What I need to do is 

First ask for some help from writing center to learn how to write in a concise and logical fashion

Second get involved with people outside my expertise and learn more new things

Third "Be Alive, Be alert, Be Awake, Be Enthusiastic"

Let's try to finish my phd course successfully in 4 years. 5 years that most phd students go through is too long for me. 

Second diary in the US, Learning

Ph.D life.
I am not sure what it is going to be like and what stuff awaits me.

But It is best time to learn new things or develop concepts I have learned at my undergrad course.

I haven't played with maths in awhile, mostly focusing on catching up concepts, so I am now brushing up on my rusty math skills. What's so interesting is when I first encounter a bunch of complicated equations they come across as intimidating. I just want to run away or find shortcuts, like I did in my undergrad, for finding solutions.

It rarely helps but I had done that way.  The level of problems has been just basic or the problems merely required excellent mnemonic techniques with a tiny bit of understanding. So what's left on me is.. NOTHING.

I don't want to repeat the same mistakes, and I am getting paid for studying. All the world-level brilliant faculty members and excellent peers, environments, state-of-the-art equipments will support me as long as I am determined.

Take every class seriously and learn/study until I can fully understand. when I reach the point that I can explain concepts to other people, it boosts my ego and makes me happy. Go for it!

First writing after moving into America

It has been a couple of weeks since I moved into Ames, Iowa.
My Ph.D. life is really coming, it will be officially around next Monday.

Originally, I applied for Master's program because it is a pretty much normal case in Korea and was not confident in pursuing a Ph.D. program due to a merely partial match of undergrad foundations with the course. After a phone interview with two faculty members asking "Would you be interested in pursuing a Ph.D. course?", I am here. How could I have said "No" on the question back then?


How do I like here so far?

Phenomenal!

Experiencing all sorts of culture shocks, such as me being re-sorted into a small people category and 7% taxes on a lot of stuff, and the lack of my English skills are swamping over me every single second. I am not going to rant about the second one this time. I totally expected it to happen, and time, diligent practice, and socializing will bring my current level up to a way higher level I can't even imagine.


The reason I came back here is to just keep track of my thoughts and leave some memos of lessons I've learned on a certain day.

Today, I think I had a rough day. Not just today, even yesterday.
For two days in a row, I have been so frustrated to myself that its hard to catch up with other American grad students casual talks and follow a series of equipment training.



Tonight, I watched a video called Commencement Speech by Steve Jobs in 2005.

"Do what truly interests you. The only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did."
"Don't lose faith, even though life could be harsh on you sometimes "

It is even before class starts. But after facing some frustrating moments at school,  all my confidence and faith seem to be fading. Well, maybe those things HAVE NEVER EXISTED. Maybe I just pretended.

During this weekend, the last one before class starts, I need to think about what he said and try to define what I expect from this program and after that.