I am 30 and single. All my friends are married. I am sad :( #Gradlife

I am 30 and single. All my friends are married. I am sad :( #Gradlife
I am 30 and single. All my friends are married. I am sad 🙁 #Gradlife

The Wall has many colleagues with (multiple!) graduate degrees; I hear from them that balancing a personal and academic life can be quite challenging. But remember that your relationship status doesn’t determine your worth—plenty of married folks are sad, too. As difficult as it can be, try to keep a little perspective: grad school is only part of your life, not the whole thing. It’s okay to prioritize your own happiness.

What should my body count be?

What should my body count be?
What should my body count be?
None if you talk like that. Respect people as people.
None if you talk like that. Respect people as people.

Average body counts vary by genre of film, and some series are bloodier than others. There are some useful stats online: http://bit.ly/bc-count

I am sad all the time. Any suggestions besides going to therapy?

I am sad all the time. Any suggestions besides going to therapy?
I am sad all the time. Any suggestions besides going to therapy?

Sorry to hear that. Try focusing on your physical needs. Are you hungry? Sleepy? Too cold or too warm? Sometimes paying attention to things like that makes humans feel better. Add or subtract other people–sometimes it helps to talk to a friend, sometimes it helps to be alone. (and if the feeling lasts months it is a good idea to talk to a doctor or therapist)

Why am I failing biological chemistry?

Why am I failing biological chemistry?
Why am I failing biological chemistry?

It’s challenging material!. See if you can get peer tutoring at the CFLC (by May 2, bit.ly/BC-connors) and schedule a meeting with your professor to ask what your clearest path to understanding and passing might be. Touch base with your academic advisor, as well. Take good care of yourself (eat and sleep!) so you have the best possible chance for success. I wish you all the best, but also want you to know that failing a course is not the end of the world, even though it might feel that way at the time. There is always a path forward.

B/c you are a biological failure :) [Response: mean!! :(]
B/c you are a biological failure 🙂 [Response: mean!! :(]

I’m sure they meant well? In the meantime, here’s a joke to lighten the mood: A physicist, a biologist, and a chemist were going to the ocean for the first time. The physicist saw the ocean and was fascinated by the waves. He said he wanted to do some research on the fluid dynamics of the waves and strode into the ocean. Obviously he drowned and never returned. The biologist said he wanted to do research on the flora and fauna inside the ocean and he also strode right in. He, too, never returned. The chemist waited for several hours and then wrote the observation, “The physicist and the biologist are soluble in ocean water.”

Dame or Russ?

Dame or Russ?
Dame or Russ?

I mean…one clutch (and I do mean C.L.U.T.C.H.) shot doesn’t equal averaging a triple double over the course of the season. Russ is a great player, and will only get better. It’s worth noting that I agree with Kerr that Westbrook’s “next question” is a kind of BS way to treat the media in a business where you’re paid to entertain (queue old man shaking fist image). And Lillard is def a more sympathetic person in this story. So: Who’s the better player? Russ no doubt. Who am I stoked for winning this round? Dame for sure.

Why is MN the best state?

Why is MN the best state?
Why is MN the best state?

Is it though….?

^Boom. Roasted.
^Boom. Roasted.

Oh dear, roasting isn’t what I’d intended. I was really just going for a mild warming of the cheeks. Nothing wrong with home state spirit! I hear if you’re into bodies of fresh water, MN’s certainly got that going for it. And the highest density of Paul Bunyan statues: bit.ly/mn-bunyan. But a distinct shortage of World Series wins… Now you can consider yourself roasted. (Don’t worry, this is Boston, roasting is a form of affection.)

My friends keep calling me “Scrappy Doo”. Do I fight them?

My friends keep calling me "Scrappy Doo". Do I fight them?
My friends keep calling me “Scrappy Doo”. Do I fight them?

It’s probably what Scrappy Doo would do. So you’d definitely be living up to the nickname. On the other hand, an assault charge on your record is probably not good for your career. It’s also worth noting that Scrappy Doo almost always needed Scooby or Shaggy to hold him back because he didn’t realize that he would lose any fight he started.