u/WesternNo9592

I don’t know how I got into my Physics PhD program, and I’m starting to feel like I’m not smart or prepared enough to be here. Even though I did fine (by fine I mean A-/B+/B ish) in my undergraduate physics courses, I feel like I forgot most of the material as soon as each course was over. Now, with graduate coursework about to begin, I’m scared that I don’t have the foundation I’m supposed to have.

What originally drew me toward academia and pursuing a PhD was the research side of physics. But even there, I’m starting to question whether my experience was enough. I spent two summers working in a research lab, but looking back, much of what I did felt more like manual or technical work rather than meaningful research where I was deeply involved in the physics.

Comparing myself to the other graduate students in my cohort has made this worse. Many of them are coming in with master’s degrees, and even those coming directly from undergrad seem to have extensive research experience. A lot of them also seem comfortable with skills like coding, while I have barely scratched the surface.

I know comparing backgrounds isn’t necessarily useful, but right now I feel significantly behind everyone else. I’m worried about whether I’ll be able to keep up with the graduate coursework, whether I have enough of a physics foundation, and whether I have the research and technical skills expected of someone starting a PhD.

Hey everyone, international F-1 student here. I just finished my undergrad and transferred my SEVIS to my grad school for a PhD starting this fall. With the new DHS rule change hitting Sept 15, "mastering out" is completely dead due to the new graduate transfer/degree lock. I don't want to get trapped in a 6-year program with zero exit ramps, so I am thinking about alternatives.

Since I'm coming straight from undergrad, I don't have a research advisor yet, just a general departmental Teaching Assistantship (TA) that covers my tuition and stipend. I’m thinking about asking the department head/graduate coordinator about the possibility of changing my degree level to a Master’s right now so that the university can issue a new Master's I-20 before the Sept 15 deadline.

A few questions:

• Funding: Is it realistic to keep a departmental TA stipend and tuition waiver if I drop to a Master’s before the semester even starts? Or do they only give those to PhDs?
• Timelines: Has anyone successfully done a last-minute change of level like this? How long did admissions and ISS take to process the new I-20?
• Other Options: What other things can be done right now?
• What's your plan? If you're an incoming F-1 grad student panicking about the 4-year cap and degree lock/transfer ban, what are you doing?

Any insights would be helpful. Thanks!

Hey everyone, international F-1 student here. I just finished my undergrad and transferred my SEVIS to my grad school for a PhD starting this fall. With the new DHS rule change hitting Sept 15, "mastering out" is completely dead due to the new graduate transfer/degree lock. I don't want to get trapped in a 6-year program with zero exit ramps, so I am thinking about alternatives.

Since I'm coming straight from undergrad, I don't have a research advisor yet, just a general departmental Teaching Assistantship (TA) that covers my tuition and stipend. I’m thinking about asking the department head/graduate coordinator about the possibility of changing my degree level to a Master’s right now so that the university can issue a new Master's I-20 before the Sept 15 deadline.

A few questions:

• Funding: Is it realistic to keep a departmental TA stipend and tuition waiver if I drop to a Master’s before the semester even starts? Or do they only give those to PhDs?
• Timelines: Has anyone successfully done a last-minute change of level like this? How long did admissions and ISS take to process the new I-20?
• Other Options: What other things can be done right now?
• What's your plan? If you're an incoming F-1 grad student panicking about the 4-year cap and degree lock/transfer ban, what are you doing?

Any insights would be helpful. Thanks!

I’m starting grad school soon and have no idea how to cook except the basics (omelettes, breakfast basics), so I could really use some help.

I’m Indian and vegetarian, and I’m mainly looking for quick, easy, and affordable ideas for lunch and dinner that I can meal prep without spending hours in the kitchen. I’m not too worried about breakfast.

I’d especially love recommendations for:

• Easy Indian vegetarian meals for beginners
• Meals that keep well for 2–4 days
• Quick meal-prep strategies
• High-protein vegetarian options (dal, paneer, tofu, soy, etc.)
• Any shortcuts, ingredients, or kitchen tools that make cooking easier

I’m basically looking for a realistic system I can maintain during grad school rather than complicated recipes. Any advice, recipes, or meal plans would be greatly appreciated!

Hi everyone! I’m an incoming Purdue graduate student looking for housing recommendations in West Lafayette or Lafayette for the upcoming academic year.

I’m specifically looking for a place that:

• Is close to Purdue and walkable or easily accessible by public transportation
• Has a decent number of Purdue graduate students living there
• Is preferably a 1 bed/1 bath or studio, but I’m open to roommates if I can have a private bedroom
• Is reasonably priced for a grad student

I’d really appreciate recommendations from current or former Purdue grad students who have firsthand experience with different apartments or neighborhoods. What places would you recommend that meet these criteria?