Keep up with the literature. |
- Scan a few journals in your field on a regular
basis. Many are now available on the WEB and can be saved as
PDF.
- Also scan through a few general journals (e.g.
Science, Nature, TINS, Current Opinions in Neurobiology) so that you have an idea where
things are going.
- Use computer searches to spot this
week's/months key papers. But be focused in your search
- Avoid the Xerox disease. Limit yourself only to those
that are especially interesting or pertinent.
- Some people end up spending more time Xeroxing and filing
than reading and understanding.
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Join journal clubs. |
- You need to become familiar with the broader issues
that relate to your thesis work.
- You will need this knowledge in the oral defense of your thesis and to
develop as a scientist.
- If there are no journal club in your areas of interest, get together with
a few friends and organize one yourself with a few friends.
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Ask questions at seminars. |
- Don't just sit there. You learn best by
active participation.
- Take a notebook along. Use it.
- Trying to come up with a good question is a great for staying
awake.
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Go to the graduate club. |
- See how others students are making out.
- Good friends are essential.
- Being a scientist is being a part of a culture.
Culture is more than movies, music art, & theater. It is exchanging thoughts. The
university is a wonderful place for doing this. It contains such a variety of thoughts.
- You will be surprised what you can learn about the brain,
playing pool with an anthropologist.
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Make sure to leave some unscheduled time
in your regular working time.
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- Sit back and let your mind wander. You
will find that this is your most important time.
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