GradCURRENTS News & Features

Be The Change: Celebrating World Kindness

November 13th is World Kindness Day, a day dedicated to promoting and celebrating acts of kindness around the world. As we approach the benevolent event, it’s crucial to reflect on the importance of inclusivity, positivity, and compassion. As you navigate your way through graduate school, you should remember that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a profound impact on those around you. Here are a couple ways you can celebrate World Kindness Day.

Digital Detox or Dive In? Deep dive into phone addiction

In today’s digital landscape, much of our social and emotional well-being is influenced by the smart devices we carry everywhere with constant and unlimited access to. You’ve likely walked around campus and saw dozens of students staring down at their phone screen seemingly chance they get. Or you’ve had a sit down with a friend and instead of conversing, you’ve found yourselves lost in your phone screens. Moments like these can show that perhaps we’re at a point where we should be having an honest dialogue about our potentially unhealthy cellphone habits.

Budget Friendly Halloween Tips for Grad Students

Spooky season’s just around the corner! Halloween’s the perfect time to unleash your monstrous creativity, snack on some delicious goodies, and unwind from the rigors of graduate school. However, sometimes there’s this pesky obstacle to fully immersing yourself into the Halloween spirit: your budget. Lay down the horrific gasp, as there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the spooky season without having to break the bank. Here’s how graduate students can celebrate Halloween on a budget and still have a supernatural time.

Own Your Narrative: Strengthen Your Personal Brand

So, you want to stand out to potential employers. You plan to have the best resume, a robust portfolio of work experience, a large network, and the perfect interview outfit. These and many more professional tenets are imperative to differentiate yourself from the crowd of eager job seekers. However, there is another side to professional development you’ll need to cultivate with care during your graduate school experience: your personal brand. Here’s the Graduate College’s guide to personal brand development.

Student Spotlight: Leading Tech Innovation with Heart

Technology is evolving faster than ever, but for many underprivileged communities, access and education for these advancements lags behind. With innovation increasing, there comes a growing necessity for human-centered thinkers and solutionists to tip the scale. And amongst those pioneers is Lily Botsyoe, a second-year information technology PhD student. She’s a member of UC’s Presidential Fellowship Program, a cohort-based experience that develops doctoral students’ skillsets in and out the classroom through real-world learning and problem solving. Spurred on by the digital inequity she witnessed during her upbringing in Ghana, her mission is clear: innovation should serve people, and technology should work for anyone. In this candid Q&A, Botsyoe shares the moments that sparked her love for technology, the importance of community building, and her vision for a more innovative future. Read Lily's story.

Navigating the World of AI in Grad School

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the way we live, work, and learn, and knowing how to use it responsibly is more important than ever. As a graduate student, you’re right in the middle of this growing technological shift of AI. This presents a challenging question; where do we draw the line? Everday use is fine, however, AI use in creative and academic work is murky territory. AI comes with implications that can affect your academics, professional careers, and the fabric of our very own society. We should use AI to supplement our intuition, not replace it. Here’s how you can incorporate AI into your daily life and maintain your ingenuity.

Start to Finish: Managing Procrastination

It’s the normal Sunday evening of a long week. You’re decompressing and getting ready for the week ahead. Excitement has you beaming for everything coming up – and then you suddenly remember an assignment. You scramble and get everything submitted before the clock strikes the elusive 11:59 p.m. deadline.

Another Sunday night of assignments done, but did it have to end like this? Graduate school can feel like a juggling act, with research, working, classes, and personal commitments competing for your time and attention. It’s easy to take an “as long as it gets done” approach, but the endless cycle of procrastination doesn’t have to define the graduate experience. Procrastination can snowball into a bad habit, we have the practical guide to managing it.

Beyond the Basics: Level Up Your Resume Writing

September is “International Update Your Resume month,” a superb time to polish off your resume to the next level. Whether you’re preparing to enter or transitioning into a different job market, a good resume is integral to meeting your career goals. 

How can you make your resume stand out? What hidden tools are out there for you to employ? We’ve compiled a list of top-secret resume hacks to help you make your resume unforgettable this September.

Don't Get Hacked: Five Tips to Protect Your Credit

No one is protected from a cyberattack. You need to be vigilant in protecting your personal information. Whether the stolen information is social security numbers, bank account details, or even the answers to those forgettable security questions – your credit can be vulnerable at any time. But not to worry – here are 5 tips you can use to leave cybercriminals in the dust.

Discover, Specialize, and Connect: Your Guide to UC Graduate College

As a graduate student, you’re here to specialize in a field that matters to you. Perhaps CCM’s award-winning music and theater programs caught your eye, or you’re looking to publish your PhD dissertation. Regardless of your nationality, ethnicity, or academic focus, it’s this shared pursuit of specialization that brings us together. Explore professional tools and resources.

UC: Where History, Innovation, and Trivia Meet

From groundbreaking milestones to legendary alumni, UC’s history is packed with stories that highlight our vibrant and dynamic community. So, settle in as we explore 13 fun and fascinating facts that highlight the rich legacy, incredible history and innovation that make University of Cincinnati truly exceptional! 

So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye

As my illustrious tenure as GradCurrents’ graduate assistant writer and resident caffeine enthusiast comes to an end, I've opted for a grand finale of unparalleled self-indulgence: an interview with—wait for it—myself. Because honestly, who better to field the tough questions than the person who wrote them?

Six Tips for Last-Minute Trips

Balancing these academic pressures can take a toll, making it crucial to recharge and rejuvenate. Taking time for yourself is an essential part of maintaining a healthy balance. 

Whether you're craving a spontaneous adventure or seeking a relaxing escape close to home, it's important to have practical and affordable options at your fingertips. Make the most of your time off with six practical tips and budget-friendly trip ideas.

Award-Winning Grad Student Pioneering Innovation in STEM

The ever-expanding frontier of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—or STEM—remains a magnet for pioneers driven by innovation, and Antonio Lim, a first-year Psychology PhD student at the University of Cincinnati and recent recipient of the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) award, is among them. As a Yates Fellow and advocate for interdisciplinary research, Lim epitomizes the transformative potential of individual vision in shaping the scientific landscape. In this candid Q&A, Lim shares his aspirations for STEM diversity and innovation, and his plans to empower underrepresented communities in Appalachia and beyond. Read Antonio Lim's story.

Social Media Do’s & Don’ts for Professional Success

Admissions committees and potential employers increasingly utilize social media to assess beyond resumes, seeking insights into professionalism, personality, and cultural fit. An unprofessional presence can significantly hinder your future prospects. Curating a positive online persona is not just beneficial; it's essential for safeguarding your aspirations. 

A Spring Break Abroad Exploring Diversity & Global Health

At the University of Cincinnati, interprofessional education isn't just a concept; it's intricately woven into the institution's core values. Graduate students embarked on a transformative experiential service-learning journey in Costa Rica. Using open dialogue, collaborative problem-solving, and reflection, students developed a deep appreciation for the challenges and opportunities inherent in healthcare provision within cultural contexts, laying the groundwork for future advocacy. Hear about the graduate students' experiences in Costa Rica.

Tackling Boundaries, Expectations & Difficult Conversations 

Clear boundaries foster healthier relationships by promoting mutual respect, understanding, and empathy in personal connections, and collaboration in professional settings. But advocating for your needs often leads to difficult conversations. So how can we best define our boundaries, navigate any resulting challenges, and find common ground? 

Navigating the Path to Career Success: Insights from Bearcat Promise Career Studio

Students are gearing up to step into the professional world. The Bearcat Promise Career Studio stands ready to offer a range of practical services and resources tailored to meet the unique needs of students entering the job market. We spoke with Interim Director and Assistant Professor of Career Education A. Stephen Amundson to uncover the Studio's mission, offerings, and expert guidance for students as they embark on their professional journey.

GetInvolvedUC: Linking UC's Graduate Community

GetInvolvedUC is a vital resource for graduate students offering events hosted by organizations such as the Graduate College, Women's Center, LGBTQ Center, African American Cultural and Resource Center, and among others. 

In a recent conversation with Kristin Ford, Director of the Center for Student Involvement, we explored the benefits of student involvement and pivotal platforms like GetInvolvedUC in shaping the university experience.

Six Strategies for Effective Stress Management

Graduate students face a multitude of stressors, from stringent deadlines and budgeting for tuition and living expenses to upholding academic performance and conducting research. Having a toolkit of effective stress management techniques can be beneficial in mitigating the negative effects of graduate school stress. In observance of National Stress Awareness Day, We've put together six valuable stress management methods for a healthier and more balanced lifestyle.  

Eight Tips for Navigating Graduate School with Adult ADHD

Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is typically associated with children, but it's important to recognize adults often struggle with ADHD symptoms too, which can manifest differently in a high-pressure academic setting. Fortunately, there are strategies and resources that can help students with ADHD succeed academically. To spotlight ADHD Awareness Month this October, we've outlined eight empowering and effective ways to manage ADHD symptoms.

The UC Love Story That Led to a Landmark Law

University of Cincinnati alumni and couple Jim Obergefell (Class of ’90) and John Arthur (Class of ’88) shared a love story like many others: they met while both in graduate school, fell in love, and after two decades together decided to get married. Unlike other couples, however, they faced a significant obstacle as same-sex marriage was banned in Ohio at the time, setting in motion a journey for marriage equality that would change the course of LGBTQ+ history and play a pivotal role in legalizing same-sex marriage in the United States. In recognition of LGBTQ+ History Month and ahead of National Coming Out Day on October 11, we are shining a light on these UC LGBTQ pioneers whose unwavering commitment to equality and one another ignited a movement that transformed the legal landscape for same-sex couples across the United States. Read more about how their fight for legal recognition led to marriage equality for all.

Tips for Smart Security Awareness on Campus

In a perfect world, crime would not exist. In the real world, however, taking steps to remain aware of our surroundings and make good choices can go a long way to ensuring our security, whether on or off campus. Ahead of National Crime Prevention Week, we asked Lieutenant David Brinker, with University of Cincinnati’s Community Engagement Unit, about his top recommendations for being safety smart and how best to access UC Public Safety community services and resources. 

Suicide Awareness Month: Intervention is Prevention

Challenging, rewarding, demanding, inspiring—graduate school is a lot of things, and juggling them all can be stressful and emotionally taxing for many students. Recent studies have shown that graduate students are more than six times as likely as the general population to experience depression and anxiety. Balancing well-being with academic pressures isn’t easy, and students struggling with mental health issues may not get the support they need until they reach a crisis point, often after harming themselves, so identification and early intervention for those most at risk is critical. In recognition of National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month this September, we’re raising awareness of this critical issue by highlighting risk factors and warning signs, and how to get help for yourself or someone else who needs it.

Updating Your Resume: Tips for Graduate Students

Even if you're not actively job hunting, regularly updating your resume is a smart strategy to remain prepared, self-aware, and adaptable in a constantly changing job market. To assist graduate students in updating their resumes effectively, we’ve compiled some essential tips.