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People
Stress Relief
Grad students share strategies for taking their minds off work
by Linda Wang
September 14, 2015
| A version of this story appeared in
Volume 93, Issue 36
Just how bad is grad school stress? Find out here: http://cenm.ag/stress
“I like going to concerts or playing music because it’s a good way to get out of the lab.”
John Ferrie, third-year chemistry grad student at the University of Pennsylvania
“Once a day, make time to do absolutely nothing. I’ve found that sitting in a chair in a quiet room without looking at my phone, thinking about my experiments, or talking to anyone for five–10 minutes once a day has improved my outlook.”
Timothy Turner, fifth-year grad student in food microbiology at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
“I go on trips over the weekend with my girlfriend just out in nature or to the shore.”
Miklos Szantai-Kis, third-year chemistry grad student at the University of Pennsylvania
“I like to read. Late at night, before I head to bed, maybe I’ll read a few chapters of a book that’s not related to science in any way.”
Nicole Antczak, fifth-year chemistry grad studentat Northeastern University
“I train in Brazilian jujitsu. There’s something weirdly relaxing about someone trying to beat you up.”
Bryan Tuten, fifth-year materials science grad student at the University of New Hampshire
“Sometimes I take a 10- or 20-minute nap before work, so it helps me refresh myself.”
Jie Gu, fifth-year chemistry grad student at Dartmouth College
“I started painting my nails as stress relief during the lead-up to my advancement-to-candidacy exam. Bringing a small dose of creativity back to my life really helped me manage that stressful time and gave birth to a new hobby that I take a lot of pride in.”
Annie Greenaway, fourth-year chemistry grad student at the University of Oregon
“I’ve been running ultramarathons for a few years. I can go out and put any frustration into running and not have to sit there and stew in front of my hood. Right now, I’m trying to get ready for a 100-mile run.”
Justin Cole, third-year chemistry grad student at the University of New Hampshire
“I recently picked up running, and that takes my mind off of things.”
Tolani Kuam Salvador, fifth-year chemistry grad student at Purdue University
“I take tea breaks and snack breaks during work, and that really helps me get my energy back up.”
Keren Zhang, fourth-year chemistry grad student at Virginia Tech
“I’ve been learning to sail out on the Bay and training for 10K races and the occasional zombie obstacle course. These adventures are thrilling and a whole lot of fun, especially when I can share them with friends.”
Jordan Axelson (right), sixth-year chemistry grad student at the University of California, Berkeley
“Living away from campus, and being married, has helped me to detach myself from lab.”
Dean Meyer, just earned a Ph.D. in toxicology from the University of Georgia
“It’s great to know I can come home to two guinea pigs that need my attention and care. They’re a great break from the lab, grading, or reading the literature.”
Jill Chipman, second-year chemistry grad student at the University of Wisconsin, Madison
The power is now in your (nitrile gloved) hands
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