Random gone right
When Facebook Marketplace housing exceeds expectations
As spring rolls around, many soon-to-be graduate students are receiving their letters of admission, and current MIT students are embarking on summer internships, research, or vacation after a long semester. Both future and current students, however, face the same dilemma: finding housing for the fall. New students may face the challenge of having no or […]
All by myself
Beating loneliness when you live in a studio
My complete home (containing my sofa, kitchen, and bed) is very compact—370 square feet, to be exact. I live in a studio apartment, where I am the sole occupant of an elongated room containing my full living space. I really like having my own place to return to at the end of the day, but […]
Finding connection through the “Wednesday Waffle”
Staying close to faraway friends during the first year at MIT
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. Student groups, hobby groups, one-off events, and department outings were all readily available. Even without stepping out of the MIT bubble, there were so many […]
The First ‘Hello’: Bridging Worlds in a Symphony of Minds
A reflection on making friends and overcoming the jitters of imposter syndrome
Walking through the iconic corridors of MIT, I am constantly reminded of the sheer brilliance that surrounds me. Here, every corner seems to buzz with the promise of innovation and breakthrough. Yet, amidst this symphony of intellect, a silent beat throbs—the universal quest for connection. Since the day I received my offer letter, I had […]
Interviewing for grad school is a two-way street
The questions you should be asking your potential advisors, and why, when choosing a research group
One of the most intimidating parts of the PhD application process is choosing a research group to join. It’s a daunting commitment–this group will be your home of sorts for the next five or more years. It’s important to think about this choice as finding a good match, rather than picking the name you think […]
