Week 3 of my PhD era is officially giving “okayyyy things are real now.” In this Doctoral Diaries vlog, I’m taking you along for an action-packed day where TA life begins (!!!) and I’m also stepping into a brand new fellowship on Climate, Health, and Sustainable Care. It’s one of those days where you’re commuting, mentally switching between roles, and trying to stay grounded while everything is new at the same time. I share some behind-the-scenes of teaching, what it feels like to start TA-ing as a brand new PhD student, and the little practical bits that make the day smoother (including a mini TA haul moment). Then we shift into study time and I bring you with me as I meet the community in my climate/health fellowship for the first time. I also talk through what a fellowship actually is and my first impressions—because I know that stuff can feel confusing if you’re new to academia. The big takeaway: balancing teaching, research, and community is a lot, but having structure (and people who care about impact) makes it feel doable.