LabLibs: The Qualifying Exam Courtesy Note

Few events strike fear in the heart of a grad student like the qualifying exam.  Many students begin stressing about it shortly after starting grad school- a good two years early.  So it’s not surprising that as the time nears to pay the piper, students take studying seriously.  In fact, they often leave the lab altogether for 2-6 weeks, leaving an empty (and vulnerable) bench…

As a matter of fact, when most students leave the lab to study, they’re usually too busy trying to dig themselves out from under a pile of reprints to consider leaving a note letting visitors know of their whereabouts.  So as a matter of common courtesy, we’ve taken the liberty of providing a form letter that labmates can fill out and place on the bench of the missing student.  No more having to field the “Is John around today?” question, which inevitably ends up starting an entire conversation while you’re right in the middle of something. (“Oh, he’s studying for his qualifying exam- do you know when is it? Do you know who’s on his committee? Do you know where he is right now?”…)

So for the good of the lab and all of the student’s friends, simply download, print and fill out the note.

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Click here or on the image below to download a blank Qualifying Exam Courtesy Note.

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For other LabLibs, see:

Beware of the Graduate Student

Let Chuck Norris Protect Your Bench

The Passive-aggressive Instrument Note

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