One of the worst things a grad student can hear is “so, when are you graduating?” Even the best of grad students (whatever that means), with a set and followed timeline, will know it’s not just finishing some classes and leaving. The final thing you must do when completing a research-based degree is defend your thesis/dissertation. That oh-so-simple question calls to mind the journey one is about to embark on in order to finally be set free. Years of work, cumulated in a huge written document, then presented publicly, and then scrutinized by your committee. Despite not having my PhD defense for a few more years still, I got a good taste of it when defending my Master’s thesis back in November. Let me tell you, that was a LOT. Now, after years of grueling lab work and months of being cooped up furiously writing, my lovely partner Alex has defended his PhD dissertation. Obviously, I need to celebrate him.