Comprehensive exams (comps) are a set of rigorous oral and or written exams Ph.D. students take after the completion of course work (usually two years of course work). Comps evaluate if a student has mastered vital literature and if so they are ready to begin the research stage of their doctoral studies. Preparing for comps can take several months of intense study. While preparing for comps most grad students only have time for the basics: barely sleeping, bathing, eating, and drinking. If you know someone in that stage of their graduate work, the best thing you can do to help is provide them with cooked meals, Give them some money on Trader Joe’s card so they can quickly pick up some grab and go healthy meals, or gift certificates to nearby restaurants.
