Observation Post

For my observation, I observed graduate students working in the graduate student lounge in Chapman’s Keck science building. There were only two students present, both of which were men with glasses and casual attire. Since it was cold outside, the men were dressed warmly, with long-sleeved shirts and jeans. Most people I know who wear glasses are near-sighted, so I assume that these graduate students are near-sighted as well because of their glasses. Both were sitting on couches in the lounge, typing on their laptops. Behind them was a whiteboard covered in calculations, scratch work, and scientific jargon. Based on the whiteboard covered in drawings behind the men, their focused expressions on the laptops they were typing upon, and the proximity between the two students, I assume that the two men were working together on a research project. I also base this assumption off of the observation that the two students occasionally turned to each other to talk about something on their laptops or reference the whiteboard in their discussions. Besides their studious appearance, the mens’ shaggy hairstyles and beards makes me assume that these men, similar to myself, prioritize their studies and academics over their physical appearance. I assume that they only do enough self-care to be presentable, but do little beyond the basics of grooming, showering, etc.