We didn't do a follow-up. I went for their help because it annoyed the hell out of me for not having even considered those kinds of questions (e.g. how the hell would I confirm my theory). Symposium was to familiarise us with the format, and for staff to get the gist of what us PhD freshmen could do on our own in two months/how are we handling it. This week, I spent all of my free time in the experimentalists building trying to get myself up to speed with their methodologies. The gap between theoretical and experimental physics is almost comically wide in some respects, and I definitely should be putting more effort to bridge it.
We already got new assignments, though. I'll get to see if I improve/learn my lesson in February.
As I said, we shall see about Sambo. I'm not a fan of sparring with guys who likely have my entire bodyweight in muscle, but the interest both of you showed makes me intrigued enough to try it at some point.