Whenever you find yourself angry, excuse yourself from the situation.

The more emotional you feel, the less rational you’ll think. Learn to recognize your personal warning signs of anger and remove yourself from the situation before you lose your cool. This may mean saying, "I am not willing to talk about that right now," or it may mean walking away.

Given its intrinsically competitive character, it is hardly surprising that academic life is riddled with malicious gossip or "character assassination". Attacks on one’s peers are understandable, but slander against juniors is rightly condemned.