The Way I see it..

My lab had a newbie girl who wants to join the lab stop by and visit us. She was soo overly excited. It made me wonder about my days way back when, when I started. And yes now that I look back I was too excited. But what differentiated me from most people was that I was never over confident, or cocky, I was very humble and willing to admit I knew nothing.

I find graduate school or at least doctorate training to be similar to being in the army. Initially people walk thinking they are the bomb, till they are verbally and emotionally abused and put into their place. They are told that they know shit, and will only do good if they listen and work on what they are told. In grad school once a person gets to this phase when they are willing to listen and give it their all, then will they ever be allowed to go to the next step. Similar situations happen in the army till the newbie learns to stop being cocky and take orders..then will they ever become a good serviceman.