Observations from the 2024 Geophysical Plasma Expedition
We stand spread across a frozen hilltop, gazing North at a pale green band low above the horizon. The landscape around us is blanketed in unbroken snow, appearing almost extraterrestrial…Ten Stitches Up, Nine Down
We all know the trope: pick up a hobby, splurge on supplies, try it once, and never touch it again. I took it a step further—starting a scarf in 2019…
Time is ticking for the creative art industry?
What would you do at 7:30 am on a 30 degree, rainy Saturday morning? If it also happened to be Lunar New Year’s Eve? While my roommate was still waking…
The Dome of Dreams
The majestic MIT Dome is a sight to behold! It is a universal dream – whether you go to MIT or not, to get ‘that’ photo at Killian with the…
Weak signals can build strong bonds
Picture this: You’ve been on the road for 11 hours. Your bladder is full and your stomach is empty, but all you drive by is trees, fields, and the occasional…
Greed, Altruism, and Optics
Part 1: Greed I am easily MIT’s biggest free food fiend. Of course, everyone here loves free food and the Institute always has plenty to give out if you know…Grad school is like high school for adults (in the best way)
Since I started my PhD in 2023, I’ve felt like I’m in high school again—I’ve ditched my hyper-focused mentality from college and allowed myself to let loose like a teenager.Digital Dumpster Diving
I’m unreasonably proud of furnishing almost my entire apartment with second-hand finds. I learned the joy of sifting through discarded items on the side of the road early on. It…Navigating MIT
When I first got into MIT, I was surprised. Then I felt a rush of excitement, and at last a sense of dread at the immense task in front of…All in on MIT as a 1st-gen PhD
Everyone has heard the expression, “It’s never a good idea to put all your eggs in one basket.” This is a wise piece of advice—unless we’re talking about your dream…More Than Just Books: My Favorite Bookstores in Boston
People who love visiting bookstores know that it isn’t just about the books but also the environment. Personally, bookstores remind me that there are so many different worlds out there…Sourdough and the Scientific Method
It was inevitable. I was staring down the barrel of the hardest academic semester of my life and needed an outlet to restore my energy– something to reinvigorate my creativity.…I can see clearly now
Over the winter break, I got contact lenses for the first time. Putting them in produced an effect like removing a plastic sheet from before my eyes. Every detail, even…Why Boston is the Best and Worst City for Running
Let me paint a picture for you: it’s 7:30 am on a Saturday in September of 2024, and I’m in a sedan driving down Memorial Ave on my way to…Join the Grad Blog editorial team!
Dear MIT grad students, We’re excited to announce that the MIT Grad Blog is searching for several new editors! As you all know, the Grad Blog serves as an avenue…Loud Steps and Strong-Smelling Cuisine: The Terror of Being Different
#TheBeginning It was a typical morning when I woke up at my usual time, ready to get some studying done before heading to the lab. Around 5 A.M., a noise…Science at Sea
This October, I embarked on the adventure of a lifetime. I was enrolled in Elements of Modern Oceanography, a course taught by scientists in the MIT-WHOI Joint Program, and my…My best and worst 5 books of 2024
DISCLAIMER: this blog post has what might be considered some HOT takes and some books you’ve probably never heard of. Welcome to my inner book thoughts of 2024. I loved…Finding connection through the “Wednesday Waffle”
When I first came to MIT, I was confident that I’d had a decent plan for building a meaningful social life for myself at MIT and in Cambridge/Boston more broadly.…Hoops across borders
Let me make one thing clear: I still believe the EuroLeague is the pinnacle of basketball. The intensity, the fans—they’re unmatched. My loyalty lies with Anadolu Efes, a Turkish powerhouse…Why rockets won’t be named after women
A big headline in aerospace news right now is the first orbital launch of Blue Origin’s rocket ‘New Glenn’. And while I am extremely happy there is an up-in-coming competitor…The commuter’s crucible
Two years ago, as I prepared to embark on my grad school journey, I devised a bold plan to live far off campus in order to save money. I chose…From chore to creative hobby
We’ve all been there—work drags on longer than expected, protocols need troubleshooting, and by the end of the day, the idea of cooking feels more and more like another chore.…Hobbies: The Big Four
Imagine this: It’s evening at the Muddy (the on-campus pub known for its cheap beer) during orientation or a mixer. You’re chatting with people you’ve vaguely gotten familiar with, and…How to thrift like a pro
Thrifting is more than just a trend – it’s a smart way for college students to save money, find unique items, and contribute to sustainability. Whether you’re an experienced thrifter…From lattes to legumes: How I found balance in work, life, and finances as a broke grad student
As May came to a close, my bank account delivered a nasty surprise: a balance teetering just above $200 – starkly contrasted by a credit card bill that could make…
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Hi MIT Grads! The MIT Grad Blog is excited to announce its upcoming IAP workshop on blog writing. In brief, Attend a 2-day blogging workshop: January 14 and 16, 11am-1pm. Write…Discovering the freedom and fun of art without rules
When I stepped into my first glass torchwork class at Metropolis, one of MIT’s makerspaces, I expected to learn a new type of art. I did not expect my experiences…A scientist’s guide to French macarons
I do not consider myself a baker. I couldn’t tell you the difference between baking soda and baking powder. Do I know the basic ingredients that go into a cake…From “Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything” to PhD life
Although this is my first year in the Boston/Cambridge area as a PhD student, I actually moved here back in 2021, when the pandemic was still in full swing. I…Summer from the Sloan Building
As you walk from Boston to the MIT Dome, you will encounter the famous bridge measured in smoots. At 182.2 smoots ± 1 ear, you will see “HALFWAY TO HELL”…Med is dead
Mediterranean Gannet. Now, to anyone outside of the close-knit community of MIT Sloan, that phrase makes almost no sense. Gannets live nowhere near the Mediterranean! At Sloan, a regular conversation…The beauty of Boston’s bánh mìs
There’s no sandwich more beautiful than the humble bánh mì. Part of its beauty lies in the sandwich’s symphony of flavors and textures: savory, sour, sweet, spicy, umami, crunchy, soft,…The TA Chronicles: Being volunteered as tribute
There exists a poignant event in the career of all PhD students that truly tests their mettle… Come to think of it, there are actually many of these – but…My brat summer turned out to be very demure, very mindful
My Instagram DMs witnessed an overwhelming inpour of the ‘Go Kylie Go’ reels from well-meaning friends. I’d bombarded their WhatsApp chats with the horror stories of being unable to add…