Grad School: The PhD Edition- Years 2 & 3, So You're a PhD Candidate?

Me giving my Candidacy Talk in April

Ice cream hangout 

So, about this PhD I'm doing. The last couple of (school) years have been TRYING! Hence the unintentional hiatus. If you have read any of my previous blog posts about grad school, you probably remember that I have struggled with exams. Well, in the first semester of my second year, I went through a psychological evaluation and received a diagnosis of Social Anxiety Disorder, which can manifest as performance-based anxiety. With this diagnosis, I was able to get exam accommodations that included extended time on tests and a distraction-reduced environment. It honestly felt good to know that my anxiety was not just something I made up but a real thing I experience. I wish I could say that the accommodations solved all my exam problems (lol), but I still struggled in some cases. I did, however, come across a professor in a course who understood my plight and allowed me to take an oral exam alongside a written one. Her compassion for and belief in me restored some of my confidence, resulting in me passing that course. In addition to the academics, I used my second year to be more intentional about making connections with Black graduate students at WashU. I joined the Black Graduate Student Association as the Social Media Coordinator. As a board member of this organization, I was able to plan events for students like me and create a space for people to make connections across campus. And after a year and a half in that role, I am now serving as the President!

Hot Chocolate Run 

Now, moving into my third year, I still had two courses to take, but it was also time to start thinking more about research and which professor I wanted to be my advisor. Choosing an advisor is probably (definitely!) the most important decision you will make in your doctoral program next to choosing a research topic. Going into my program, I already knew that I was interested in applied math, and there are only two professors in the department who focus more on the applied side of math than the theoretical side. It was honestly an easy choice for me because I had already had a lackadaisical experience with one of them. Throughout that fall semester, I worked with my now advisor, learned about his research interests, and grew interested. By November, he was my advisor.

Jamel and I at the Welcome B(l)ack Kiackback

As the academic year progressed, the weight of fulfilling my candidacy requirements got heavier and realer. In August 2023, I honestly didn't expect to be able to fulfill those requirements by May. Between completing the qualifying course requirements and finally getting a glimpse into research, I felt behind and unprepared to give a 45-minute talk about my research. But this is when I knew I had chosen the right advisor. In the spring semester, my advisor said, "I think you can do it, Tiana. If we work really hard these next few weeks, you can give your candidacy talk this semester instead of in the summer." And guess what I did? I gave my candidacy talk in mid-April. I talked about my research for 45 minutes to a room full of my peers, my advisor, and two other faculty members that are on my thesis committee. (Psst, remember that performance-based anxiety I mentioned previously? Well, it shows up in moments like this as well, but with preparation, anxiety medication, and encouragement from my village, it did not stop the show!) This is the story about how I went from doctoral student to doctoral candidate. This journey is by no means an easy one, but besides the hard work, blood, sweat, and tears, I would not be here without my village. From my advisor, my math buddies, to my BGSA homies, to my loved ones, I am a lucky woman to have so many people in my corner rooting for me, lifting me up, and holding me down. Their belief in me reminds me to believe in myself.

Peace✌🏾 & Blessings

Saturday Night Fun

(left to right: me, Tyler, Kaseba, Alex, Haleigh)

My annual fall photo on campus

BGSA Basketball hangout
(left to right: Tyler, Nia, me)

Me, a host