While people might call their college experience “the best years of their lives,” no matter how much fun it is, it can still be stressful.
The PhD Movie is based on the popular online comic strip “Piled Higher and Deeper (PHD)” created by Jorge Cham. The comic conveys the troubles faced by graduate students every day.
The film will be screened at 7 and 9 p.m. on Jan. 12 at the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium.
The Graduate College and Sigma Xi will host this as part of their Science Café series funded by 1804 Fund.
The film focuses on four graduate students — Cecilia (Alexandra Lockwood), Mike (Evan Boney), Tajel (Crystal Dilworth) and a nameless grad student (Raj Katti) — who “hilariously struggle to find balance between research, teaching and their personal lives,” according to the film’s website.
“I was interested in providing an event that speaks to the graduate college experience,” said Joe Shields, dean of the Graduate College and vice president for research and creative activity. “I think the film will provide visibility for graduate education at Ohio University, promoting a sense of community among graduate students.”
Since September, the film has been screened across various college campuses and research centers across the country. It was produced under a partnership with the California Institute of Technology.
Shields added that he hopes the film will allow graduate students to laugh at some of the more stressful aspects of their lives.
“Our hope is that this event will provide viewers with a chance to laugh at some of the quirks of graduate student life that can otherwise often seem stressful,” Shields said. “I would hope that the film also promotes some serious reflection on how the institution can help our students and graduate students help each other through this demanding part of their career.”
wa054010@ohiou.edu
IF YOU GO
What: PhD the Movie
When: 7 and 9 p.m., Thursday
Where: Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium
Admission: free
