As you begin your graduate program, and as you fully grasp your reality of being in Bloomington for a while?expect a minimum of five years?you will have to determine what it means for you to make a home in this small?but lively?Midwestern town. For some this means buying a home, for others it means planting a garden, but for some it means adopting a companion animal. Considering bringing a dog or cat into your family is a complicated issue; graduate school for most comes with financial strain, and getting a graduate degree almost guarantees a few years of instability after graduation. On the other hand, an animal?s companionship can help to offset the isolation of advanced studies. What to do?
I should note that I have consulted a cat-loving friend of mine to help think through the pros and cons of adopting a pet as a graduate student. We came up with a few tips that, as always, are based on a limited set of perspectives. Feel free to add your own pearls of wisdom in the comments section! More than anything, it is important to remember that adopting impulsively puts your own and your pet?s quality of life at risk. Here are some things you may think about.
- Consider finances. Would a pet fit into your budget for this year, next year, and the next five (or longer)?
- Consider travel and pet care. Are you planning on spending a year or two overseas for research? If you anticipate attending conferences, do you know two or three people who could provide quality pet care within your means? I knew from the beginning of graduate school that pets were out of the question due to my doctoral research.
- Consider time. Do you have the space in your schedule to give a companion animal attention? Remember that they will not only need food, but also play time!
- Finally, weigh the benefits with the losses (financial and other). My friend-turned-consultant feels that although her cats have added to her financial strain, they offset the isolation of a research and writing lifestyle. For her, then, the benefits far outweighed the costs (or at least that?s the story she?s sticking to)?
Pets can provide much needed companionship to many young scholars, but we encourage you to think carefully about what you have to give to an animal. And remember: even if you can?t adopt, you can always volunteer at a local shelter!
(here?s a fun picture of one of her (two) cats?)
Source: http://www.indiana.edu/~gradlife/2012/03/pets/
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