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Grad School is My Life Really

How to find balance, meaning and enjoyment in graduate school. ... what you want to pursue from day to day but what you want your life to be about. ...

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Grad School is My Life Really

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    Slide 1:Grad School is My Life! Really?!

    How to find balance, meaning and enjoyment in graduate school.

    Slide 2:Workshop Objectives

    Explore myths/misconceptions of grad students Explore values and goal setting Explore mindful meditation and relaxation

    Father Brother Friend Son Partner Co-worker Psychologist Grad Student

    Slide 4:Graduate Student Myths

    I must perform well in everything to be successful I must do everything my advisor asks of me. I’m the only one who seems so stressed.

    Slide 5:Myth Busters

    I must perform well in everything to be successful Make Peace With Imperfection – Decide where you want to place your maximum effort and where you can do enough effort to be just good enough.

    Slide 6:Myth Busters

    I must do everything my advisor asks of me. Set boundaries that are not to rigid and not too loose. “I would really like to help with your research AND I’m just too involved with my ongoing research right now – maybe we can connect on a future research project.” Being Assertive – paying attention to your rights and choices while respecting others’ rights and choices

    Slide 7:Myth Busters

    I’m the only one who seems so stressed. Focus on your goals. Comparisons with others who may have access to different or more resources is rarely helpful. Remember why you chose grad. school.

    Slide 8:Focusing on your Values

    Values define not only what you want to pursue from day to day but what you want your life to be about. Values are chosen life directions. Values are always perfect.

    Slide 9:Ten Valued Domains

    Marriage/couple/intimate relationship Parenting Family relations (other than intimate relations and parenting) Friendship/social relations Career/employment Education/training/personal growth and development Recreation/leisure Spirituality Citizenship Health/physical well-being

    Slide 11:Making Goals from Values

    Value:__________________________ Long-term goal:__________________ Short-term goals:_________________

    Slide 12:Finishing Projects

    Product vs. “I’m going to write three pages” Process “I’m going to write for 60 minutes”

    Slide 13:Staying Present – Mindfulness

    The awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally to things as they are.

    Slide 14:Cultivating Awareness

    Get out of our heads and learn to experience the world directly See our thoughts as mental events that come and go Start living right here, in the present moment Disengage the autopilot

    Slide 15:Peace

    Peace can exist only in the present moment. It is ridiculous to say “Wait until I finish this, then I will be free to live in peace. “What is “this”? A diploma, a job, a house, the payment of a debt? If you think that way, peace will never come. There is always another “this” that will follow the present one. If you are not living in peace at this moment, you will never be able to. If you truly want to be at peace, you must be at peace right now. Otherwise, there is only “the hope of peace some day.” -Thich Nhat Hanh, The Sun My Heart

    Slide 16:Some mindful activities

    Washing dishes Taking a shower Eating Brushing your teeth Driving the car Going up/down stairs

    Slide 17:Benefits of Relaxation

    Decrease in heart rate Decrease in respiration rate Decrease in blood pressure Decrease in skeletal muscle tension Decrease in metabolic rate and oxygen consumption Decrease in analytic thinking Increase in alpha wave activity in the brain

    Slide 18:Benefits of Relaxation

    Reduction of generalized anxiety Preventing stress from becoming cumulative Increased energy level and productivity Improved concentration and memory Reduction of insomnia and fatique Prevention/reduction of psychosomatic disorders Increased self-confidence and reduced self-blame Increased availability of feelings

    Slide 19:Abdominal Breathing

    Get in a comfortable position Place your hand over your belly Breath in through the nose (4 count) Hold breath (4 count) Exhale slowly (6 count) Think “relax” or “cool air in and warm air out” Pause (2 count) Resume

    Slide 20:What is progressive muscle relaxation?

    A muscle can be relaxed by first tensing it for a few seconds Especially helpful for people whose anxiety in strongly related to muscle tension “An anxious mind cannot exist in a relaxed body” Jacobsen

    Slide 21:What are the benefits progressive muscle relaxation?

    A decrease in generalized anxiety Reduction in the frequency and duration of panic attacks Improved concentration An increased sense of control over moods Increased self-esteem Increased spontaneity and creativity

    Slide 22:Guidelines for Practicing Progressive Muscle Relaxation

    Practice 20 min. per day. Two 20 min. sessions per day is preferable Find a quiet location to practice Practice at regular times – on awakening, before retiring, before meals are the best times Practice on an empty stomach Assume a comfortable position Loosen any garments Make a decision no to worry about anything Assume a passive, detached attitude

    Slide 23:Counseling Center

    1810 Rocket Hall 419.530.2426 Counseling, Consultation, Psychoeducational programs Free and Confidential Currently enrolled students Any type of personal concern Call or come by to schedule an appointment Licensed Psychologists, Counselors, Supervised Doctoral Students

    Slide 24:A Final Thought

    One of the most satisfying experiences I know-is just fully to appreciate an individual in the same way I appreciate a sunset. When I look at a sunset…I don’t find myself saying, “Soften the orange a little bit on the right corner, and put a bit more purple on the base, and use a little more pink in the cloud color. I don’t try to control a sunset. I watch it in awe as it unfolds. (Carl Rogers)

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