Gradlife

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Name: Debra Kriger

Program of Study: PhD, Sociocultural Exercise Sciences

What made you choose your grad program at U of T? Funny you should ask. I didn’t know much about my program when I applied here; I didn’t know that Exercise Sciences has a whole tradition in what I was interested in studying. I was pointed to my (awesome!) supervisor by a faculty member from a quite different discipline to which I had applied at another institution. It felt like a hard decision at the time, but I’m glad I ended up here – it really feels like I’ve found a ‘home’, and I feel really lucky to be working with and learning from such amazing, passionate, and knowledgeable people. Apart from the academic side of things, I chose U of T ‘cause the food in TO is fantastic – yum!

Favourite Study Spot:  I always discover new ones as time goes on and my ‘studying’ activities change (reading to writing to thinking to grading, etc.). I really like the course reserves section of Robarts for reading when it’s cold out – big windows, just the right amount of warmth, a bit of movement/sounds, and quiet/peaceful enough to concentrate. In the summer, I like going to Trinity-Bellwoods park…that usually ends with equal parts studying and napping. And, hey, since I work at the Grad Room, let me plug that, too! Lots of people like studying here – come check it out (NE corner of Harbord/Spadina)!

 What’s on the top of your TO-DO list this week? Okay, so maybe it’s not exactly the TOP top of my list, but I just received a Milk Bar cookbook from my cousin (thanks, cousin!), and I really, really want to start trying these recipes!!! The pictures make it especially pressing. Beet-lime ganache?! Cornflake-chocolate chip-marshmallow cookies?! Yes, please!

What does an average Tuesday look like for you?  These days, my average Tuesday starts with back-to-back tutorials to teach as part of my TA work. I won’t gush too much about it, but let’s just leave it at this: super enjoyable. After that, I stop by Tim’s (Tuesday treat! Integral!) on my way to volunteering at Dress for Success Toronto (highly recommend – they do some super cool stuff), and then I have the rest of the day to see what comes my way, arrange meetings, and/or hunker down and get to WORK!

Favourite way to take a break from school work: I love people. Hanging out with friends and/or family has got to be tops on this list. They have a funny way of making insurmountable mountains of work seem do-able.

What did you have for breakfast this morning? Okay, so I ended up having a bowl of Alpen dark chocolate cereal with milk. What I thought about having (does that count?) were eggs, scrambled with parmesan and sriracha sauce. That stuff’s fantastic.