Horoscopes for gradaute students...

One of my guilty pleasures is "reading" the daily local newspaper. This can take many forms, depending on how busy I am, or how far behind I've gotten, but in it's most minimal form, I scan the front page of every section, read the newsbrief column, look at the cartoon for the upcoming Hogs game on Saturday (those are great if you haven't seen them), and then read the comics, and yes, my horoscope. While you may or may not put any stock in the accuracy or validity of horoscopes, they provide entertainment and occasionally even some helpful suggestions/encouragement for surviving life. Over the last few years, I've read some horoscopes that I thought had to be written for me as a graduate student, hence the topic of today's column. I'm going to share a few actual horoscopes that may be able to help you through different situations you might face as a graduate student, and then share "my" horoscopes that really spoke to me. Enjoy.

On relationships. This might be your advisor, your committee, other faculty, or friends/family...

You'll be dealing with forces that are nearly impossible to mold and opinions that were formed so long ago that it would take a miracle to change them. You just might be that miracle.

Someone erroneously told you, "To get the fruit, you have to climb the tree" - or something akin to that. The truth is that sometimes the fruit hangs low, and all you have to do is reach up and pluck it off.

A work relationship suddenly blooms in unexpected, delightful ways (Author's note: In a professional context of course...emphasis on the second part here...) and praise for a job well done will come your way just when you thought your hard work is going unappreciated.

Fortuitous meetings and chance encounters (Author's note: networking?) are in store. As you interact with supportive people who want to see you succeed, you'll start thinking of yourself as the person you want to become.

Today is mostly about strengthening certain relationships while distancing yourself from the ties that either don't add much to - or seem to subtract from - your life. (Author's note: This is super important when you're trying to write your dissertation...even if it's only temporary.)

Research and Dissertation-ing (Dissertating?)

You may come across work you did long ago and discover that it makes no sense to you now, or you may be utterly baffled by a decision you made way back when. See how far you've come? (Author's note: Ok...I don't think this one needs any explaination)

This is the point at which it's best to stop planning, because you won't realize what you don't know or don't have until you take action. Trust that being in action will show you what you need.

You'll be better off tomorrow because you followed the plan today. You may be tempted to veer off, but get right back on track. Repeat the same action several times; a habit is being formed.

General Encouragement

At this time, you don't know how to get from point A to point B, but you'll figure it out if you get moving. So don't even bother telling people you don't know. You'll get it soon enough.

You'll think about an opportunity you missed years ago. Would like have been different had you made another choice? Rest assured, you made the right choice then. The future brings even better opportunities.

Halfway up the mountain, you look at the summit and think you can't possibly make it to the top. But remember that you're already so much farther than the person who never makes the attempt at all. (Author's note: You know, all those sane people who didn't attempt to get an advanced degree..)

You've never been closer to that dream that you've nurtured for so long in the depths of your heart. Don't lose faith now, no matter how daunting the obstacles may seem.

One of my horoscopes...what got me started on this in the first place.

All you can do is all you can do. When you reach that point, you'll be satisfied that you tried your hardest, no matter what the outcome is. P.S.: You haven't reached it yet, so keep going.

My favorite general encouragement horoscope for all graduate students...

One of your biggest jobs will be to avoid distractions. Block out the things that could potentially obstruct your productivity, and you'll have much to show for your efforts.

My favorite, somewhat sarcastic, horoscope...the emphasis was not mine:

You'll spend a good deal of time on a computer or other device not earning a fortune. (Author's note: Isn't that the truth...)


No matter where the journey takes you, best of luck. Maybe some of these small snippets of advice helped or resonated with you. Here's one I got as a quote at the end of an email signature that I printed out and taped on the wall in my workspace (thanks, Dorine).

A work as this is never finished; one must simply declare it finished when one has, within limits of time and circumstances, done what is possible.

-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1749-1832, German poet, novelist and playwright

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Confidential to my Facebook friends

While I've never been a good Facebook friend, only occasionally trying to catch up on what's happening, and rarely "liking" anything you do, things are only going to get worse. I'm going to graduate next year, and to that end, must decrease the amount of procrastination I do. While I care about many of the things you all post, and it's about the only way I seem to know how anyone is doing, or what they are up to, you also have to admit that you also post some pretty unimportant stuff...like what you ate for breakfast, some version of a "tupperware" party that's happening hundreds of miles away from me...and sometimes WAY too much detail about your latest health issue. So, if there is something important going on in your life for the next year, and you want me to know about it, please email me... and to be clear I'm not talking about forwarding me jokes or diatribes about your political views. Save all the good stuff for your "good" Facebook friends. Thank you for your understanding and support. I promise I'll be back soon. In the meantime, I "like" you all...

-- Dawn