HST Resources for Easing Friction and Stress (REFS) Program

Graduate school is a wonderful journey, but like any other journey, the road may at times get tough. Some days, we might feel stranded without a roadmap, alone and with our destination beyond reach. We encounter obstacles (classes, qualifying exams, relationship problems with friends/professors/lab mates/research advisors) that might seem insurmountable. We develop doubts about ourselves, our science, and our choice to attend graduate school in the first place. Besides the issues that are common to most graduate programs, the journey within HST poses some very unique challenges.

HST REFS are peer counselors who have been on this journey for a few years now and have experienced many of the issues mentioned above. If there are any issues that are bothering you that you would like to share with a fellow traveler, please contact us.

• Although we might not have all the answers, we will always be available to listen.
• We can let you know about a number of resources at Harvard and MIT that might prove to be helpful.
• For situations involving conflict, we have been trained in mediation through the MIT mediation program and might be able to help you find an effective solution.
• All information that you share with us is maintained confidential. We take this very seriously, and we pledge that we will never take action on an issue or divulge any information unless we have your explicit consent.

HST REFS hold office hours at various sites as announced in TWiHST. In addition, you may email or call to schedule an appointment. The program is open to ALL HST students, irrespective of academic or research affiliation.

Nick Gonzalez Castro (lngonzal 'at' fas 'dot' harvard 'dot' edu)
Christine Hsieh (xtineh 'at' mit 'dot' edu)
Maria-Louisa Izamis (yiapani 'at' mit 'dot' edu)
Ping Liu (xpliu 'at' mit 'dot' edu)
Tom Wang (ttwang 'at' mit 'dot' edu)