Life in Grad School
The stereotypical conception of graduate school is as a rarefied atmosphere beyond the daily concerns of the general populace. This belief proves both true and false to varying extents, depending on who you ask and their experience. Masters programs do promote intellectual development but students are required to discover their own focus rather than simply learn for the learning's sake. While the public may not be concerned with your struggles in graduate school, it is certainly not removed from the individual biases and battles of ego encountered in everyday life. In fact, these attitudes may be even more concentrated in an environment filled with intelligent, dedicated people. It is necessary for those considering graduate school to understand these aspects of graduate school life to avoid dropout due to disappointed expectations. Professors and faculty should also be aware of the opinions of postgraduate education to consider when designing their courses.
Grad vs Undergrad
grad vs. undergradAmerican Psychological Association, Amy Novotney, 2009
Many undergraduates expect a masters program to simply be a continuation of their studies. These psychology students advise newcomers to expect more work, lower grades and the need to cooperate rather than compete with your classmates. These scholars' experiences in psychology courses are shared by many graduate programs, regardless of discipline. Learn how to cope with the academic culture by following their suggestions.
While undergraduate programs focus on the skills you need in life and an overview of your field of study, graduate school goes into the details of the profession and its importance to society. Rather than simply study what you need to know for a certain profession, you learn why that job is important in the world and where it originated. Through this process you learn not only about the history of your field but of its challenges and ways to approach them. Graduate education teaches you to critically approach your duties and responsibilities, not just perform them.
grad school vs. undergradUniversity of California Berkeley School Psychology, Jennifer H. Selke, 2011
Graduate students have a lot to say to help you get prepared for a return to education. These prospective scholars from UC Berkeley's School Psychology program all agree that getting a masters is a lot more work than undergrad. Organization, commitment and an idea of what you are getting yourself into will help assuage the shock of graduate school for those entering directly from college. Other advice they give is more specific including ways to communicate with your classmates and instructors or foster relationships with influential people in your profession.
Masters programs are called graduate school, but they involve responsibilities alien to most students' conceptions of education. Even in very structured areas such as engineering where formulas and equations are foundational to the discipline, graduate students are expected to refine their interests and investigate them. Students are expected to teach, conduct research and write original papers in addition to their studies. In this way graduate school is a unique opportunity where you can practice the skills needed in your profession before using them in the real world.
Grad Culture and Social Life
Want to know what graduate school is really like? This masters English student shares her stories from the fold. Covering topics like professor gossip, the rise of graduate education and mainstream media finger pointing she covers topics both within and without the educational sphere. The variety of the material displays the wide array of experiences and emotions of grad school.
Education always involves a relationship between student and teacher. The problem is that graduate students are expected to be creative and involved in their own interests but are overseen by professors. This tends to create a culture of conformity where students all seem to have the same ideas as their advising boards. Learn how to appease teachers while avoiding conformity through this post.
With so much emphasis on student involvement in graduate school, arriving with an understanding of the culture and expectations goes a long way to success. Getting behind no longer simply means a bad mark, it can extend the time needed to graduate and even result in removal from the program. In this kind of environment it is important to have realistic expectations for yourself and make the most of your time there.
life of a graduate studentUniversity of Maryland Department of Computer Science, Dianne Prost O'Leary, 2009
Graduate school varies greatly based on the type of program you are in. Maybe you are a researcher, a teaching assistant, on a research fellowship or maybe you need to maintain an outside job to make ends meet. All of these are fundamentally different aspects of graduate education and have their own perks and frustrations. Tips for dealing with these factors and generally keeping a level head in the face of endless studies help graduate students strike a balance.
With the increasing popularity of higher education over the 20th century thesis topics are becoming more and more specialized. While our brightest thinkers go on to graduate school to immerse themselves in these subjects that only a handful really care about, the outside world plows onward through its usual cycles of boom and bust. The odd insulation that cocoons academic circles from the outside world disbars them from making contributions valuable to society at large. Academia is not incubation chamber for obtuse ideas, but a place where our brightest thinkers can address our most difficult problems.
Many international students are choosing to study abroad and face unique challenges away from home. Finding the right university is hard when you are located on the other side of the world and international students usually pay higher fees for their nonresident status. Even after securing funds and finding a program, culture shock is inevitable and mixed with the pressures of grad school can be debilitating. Learn from these students advice on how to approach studying in another country.
With a lot of talk about balancing needs and desires, this post is a breath of fresh air. Rather than detail how to divert your attention from academia, it suggests diving head first into research and writing. Following your passion is its own reward and graduate school is the preparation for that exact pursuit. It may not be the most optimistic view of education but it at least keeps professors and researchers working.
Coming to the United States, or going abroad, for graduate school is an exciting experience, if you can get over the initial culture shock. Try to make new friends and learn the culture without forgetting the different perspectives and beliefs wherever you call home. Learn the language and its uses, you will make friends easier if you know how to express yourself. Finally even though you are in graduate school, make time for friends and social events so you are not overwhelmed.
Graduate School: Then and NowIowa State University Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, 2006
This father and son pair both attended Iowa State University for a masters in civil engineering more than forty years apart. The father wrote his papers on an electric typewriter while the son simulates structural loads using computer programs. Even while technology changes, much of the courses and topics learned remain essentially the same. They go over their favorite classes, memories and past times in graduate school.
Steven Hassan defines a cult by four criteria: behavior control, information control, thought control and emotion control. Graduate school, with advisers providing impetus for projects and doling out to students, fits many of these descriptions. Many students feel entrapped within their program and feel pressured to stay by professors, faculty and other forces. While the argument is obvious exaggeration, it has great evidence of the isolation of graduate students from the real world.
As a graduate student your commitment to studying blocks many possibilities for social interaction. You may find yourself tired and disinterested with social events. If you are not dedicated to keeping with friends or attending events your social life will dwindle. Isolation from the outside world makes it hard to meet people outside of your circle of peers.
While graduate school necessitates a large time commitment there is still time for leisure. Social contact in a masters program is often limited by the different personality traits and viewpoints of diverse people from all walks of life. While friends are great to relieve stress and offer companionship, they also have the potential to be valuable contacts later down the road. Make plans, take time away from work and befriend your peers to benefit from needed interaction.
Like other differences between graduate and undergraduate programs, when it comes to social life you are on your own. Graduate students already know their interests and are not as likely as undergrads to reach out based on a similar major or research project. Through their affiliations with clubs and events around campus they must carve out their own social territory. Even so, when graduate study is complete the social contacts and networks you have built can help secure a job.
Graduate students walk a thin line to maintain balance in their education, social lives and employment. To do this, they may have to cut some corners. Assigned reading, study partners and social groups can all be manipulated to maximize efficiency. By getting their work done more quickly students will have more time to relax and ultimately do better with assignments and exams.
Even in a structured and formal environment like graduate school it is beneficial to set aside time for yourself. School events, clubs and social networks are all ways to learn about your peers and start a conversation. Even the teaching positions assigned to grad students promote a type of social life. These small groups are valuable and the emotional attachment gained will make your time there more enjoyable.
Relocating for school uproots the traditional social network and forces interaction between students from different backgrounds. This often leads to a work-like system of communication, where graduate students interact purely on superficial levels. For those used to close communities, this can be a huge shock and disappointment. Students must try harder to make friends and develop their own social circle.
Forming your own social circle in graduate school provides more than just a break from studies. Surrounding yourself with people you enjoy will improve your mood and eventually the work you put out. Creating boundaries between your social life and school allows you to focus on studies when you need to and letting them go when you don't. This separation is fundamental to succeeding in graduate school.
Those who choose not to attend graduate school often spend their mid-twenties in first jobs, getting married and having children. For those on the inside it can seem that their lives have stopped. With that said, it is easier to take the opportunity of graduate school before these commitments take over your day to day life. If you enjoy your studies and are making the most of them, your peers' achievements after college should not make a difference.
In an environment where your peers are your friends and your advisers your mentors, it is difficult to find someone to turn to for help. The conflict between the solitude of study and the need for social interaction is especially clear in the recent suicide of a Princeton graduate student. There most social circles are formed within the same department with little opportunity for interdepartmental fraternization. Steps need to be taken to promote socialization of students from all walks of life.
Survival Guides
For many graduate school is as much of a shock as the first days of college. The first part of this article explains the common phases students go through on their journey through graduate school. The second advises a sense of humor, willingness to fail, realistic expectations and emulating the communication of professors. Following these suggestions will alleviate some of the stress of graduate school and support rewarding relationships with your superiors and colleagues.
Putting effort into a project and seeing no results is a frustrating and disheartening fact of graduate school. This student learned too late that their work was not appreciated by their advisers and was forced to settle for a masters instead of a Ph.D. He claims graduate school is a business, and as much as you would like to follow your interests you are also expected to submit something valuable. Make sure you can finish the work you commit to do and choose your projects carefully since they determine your future.
Graduate school requires a different skill set from undergraduate studies. Students need to have initiative to work on their own projects, tenacity to succeed, flexibility in the face of professorial pressures and interpersonal skills to express their ideas. While it is important to work hard on your thesis, remember it is the beginning of your career and not your masterpiece. Keep a realistic view of your studies and to avoid overwhelming yourself with stress.
This seminar from a former graduate student addresses the daily struggle between completing assignments and making time for yourself. In high stress environments like graduate school, social interaction becomes an even more valuable way to blow off steam. He goes into detail on common emotional problems like impostor syndrome and how to avoid them. Throughout the lecture he discusses the challenges students will encounter and how to address them.
Without food, no one would be able to make it through graduate school, or any other long term program. While many students derive sustenance from Cup-of-Noodles and other quick delicacies, a healthy diet goes a long way to productivity in any venture. Take advantage of the food you have access to at your school and the stipends given for traveling research and lectures. Even these small indulgences can mean the difference between a satiated student and a struggling one.
Advisors
choosing an adviserUniversity of Wisconsin Milwaukee Department of Psychology, Marshall Lev Dermer, 1992
For those just entering graduate school finding an adviser can be tricky. Many professors are so committed to their own projects that they ignore their students while others churn out paper after paper purely for monetary gain. As a graduate student you need someone with the time, knowledge and interests to help you with your thesis. Take your time getting to know potential advisers to find one that works for you.
Oftentimes the direction you choose to go in graduate school will dictate the types of research you are involved in for the rest of your career. For scientists the choice is especially impacting since their involvement in a specific field lends them expertise and essentially forces them to continue their study in the topic. For this reason some aspiring scientists will want to get involved in emerging disciplines while others will prefer a solid, tested ground they enjoy researching. Always be sure your choice in adviser matches your preference.
Oftentimes relationships between advisers and advisees are strained. Clashing personalities, poor communication, many students with many needs and lack of empathy all contribute to conflicts in the mentoring system. Unfortunately, this is the main source of guidance in graduate programs. Both students and their advisers must work to create an atmosphere where their needs are met.
how to find an advisorUniversity of Virginia Department of Computer Science, David Evans
Finding an adviser is essential to choosing what graduate school you want to go to. It is a long process of research, correspondence and finally acceptance into the program. Treating prospective mentors with respect goes a long way to developing an open and productive relationship, as well as increases your chances of being chosen. Make sure to be direct and enthusiastic in your early communications with professors to test the waters and find the right fit.
Unlike undergraduate programs, graduate school requires you to act as peer to your professors rather than a student. They assume you are mature enough to independently produce work worthy of their time spent with you. Masters candidates must constantly juggle their own interests with adviser and committee satisfaction, an arduous task for anyone. Graduate students need to understand the difference between sucking up and earning respect.
Professors at different stages of their career with have substantially different outlooks on their role in advising students. Young professors tend to be heavily involved in their work, whereas those nearing tenure have already proven their worth and most likely take a hands off approach. These tendencies make for opposite graduate experiences: one a struggle with new problems of the day and the other a struggle to revitalize old problems. Whichever route you choose there are bound to be conflicts that you must overcome.
Skills
While the chaos and pace of graduate life may at first seem like a burden, it is actually the source of many applicable lessons. The professor politics, unguided students and countless hours of research all offer opportunities to develop new skills. While these are useful in academic circles, their worth extends to the real world as many businesses struggle with the same problems. Sure graduate school is about writing a paper and getting a certificate, but there is ample room for developing talents outside the scope of your thesis.
Graduate school is a heavily intellectual undertaking, but many of the skills that apply in less rigorous ventures work equally well in academia. Having the right tools for the job, communicating your needs, adapting to requirements and taking advantage of opportunities are general tips for success. While graduate school may entail more work than anything you have done before you do not need to change your strategies. Adopt new skills while maintaining the old and you are bound to become an effective student.
presenting informationUniversity of Kansas Medical Center, Jeff Radel, 1999
Committee meetings are the primary source of feedback for your research project as a graduate student. Understanding how to present an argument is essential to this aspect of your studies. If you are lucky, your thesis will be rewarded with opportunities to lecture, an even more stressful form of presentation. These tutorials and guides give tips to help prepare even the most timid for presenting their findings.
It is easy to fall into the pitfalls of procrastination and over embellishment as a graduate student. You want your thesis to sound authoritative but you are stuck using undergraduate techniques to develop it. All of these errors increase stress on the student and can lead to disbarment from the program if not corrected. Always remember to manage your time appropriately and take as long as is necessary to create a finished product.
thesis writingCarleton University, John W. Chinneck, 1999
The masters thesis is the culmination of all the hard work of school and is generally the basis on which students succeed or fail. It is meant to pose an original question in the field and support its conclusions with quantifiable research. This guide advises on the most effective way to plan, investigate and write out your thesis proposal to satisfy the advisory committee. While necessarily no two masters papers are alike, these methods will help to organize your work and separate a huge project into manageable sections.
Before you get to even the preliminary research stage of your thesis you will typically need to write out a proposal. This should be an outline of the question that interests you, its importance to the field, any prior research on the topic and an outline of your plan. While proposals are not received as critically as the actual paper, they must be well thought out and show a precise direction to be accepted. Interesting arguments and backup plans if your project goes awry show professors your commitment to the topic.
Many people have compared graduate school to a marathon or similar test of endurance. Graduate students are so concerned with their daily struggles in completing their thesis that they often do not realize their own progress. This blogger acknowledges the power of their commitment and the many skills they pick up along the way. She even developed a handy table connecting common duties of the graduate student with marketable traits desired in business.
research skillsUniversity of Washington Libraries, 2005
Research is central to graduate life. Whether for classroom assignments or thesis materials, graduate students must develop their skills at quickly finding the information they need. While the internet and libraries are good places to turn, finding specific information there is not always simple. This interactive tutorial teaches essential techniques to develop an argument and find relevant articles.
With changes in the composition of graduate programs and the goals of students within them, the role of graduate school in preparing individuals for life needs to be reevaluated. Graduate school should be about much more than a thesis and should incorporate disparate skills like how to get published and the proper etiquette of employment interviews. In addition auxiliary skills including research and creative problem solving should be emphasized no matter what the field of study. Graduate students can take comfort in the fact that while their thesis projects may not be turning up as they planned, they are gaining valuable skills that will be applicable for the rest of their lives.
Dropout Stories
Graduate students are given a lot of conflicting information about their responsibilities and the resources available to them. This combined with the average grad students' desire for perfect work and acceptance can lead to burnout. Students must keep tabs on their progress and make time for themselves to avoid feelings of inadequacy. There are many reasons for stress in graduate school and students must take the necessary steps to alleviate their anxiety.
Sometimes emotional understanding comes in a sudden flash of epiphany. When this graduate student was handed an article she was bewildered and ended up realizing her fundamental disinterest with her studies. Although she dropped out of graduate school, her experience there taught her many skills useful to her future employment. This woman shows that sometimes it takes experience to realize you have made a mistake.
grad school dropoutAmerican Sociological Association Footnotes, Carla B. Howery, 2002
Dropping out of graduate school is becoming a common practice, often without any investigation of why the student left. There are many tensions in the system that contribute to dropout: lack of funds, poor support systems and mismatched advisers. Both students and faculty must become aware of these problems to work together in developing a better system for learning. Until then graduate schools will continue to see an increase in their rates of attrition.
After a tumultuous first semester at the university, this former grad student decided to bite the bullet and withdraw. Administrative difficulties, professorial insults and cost all proved too much in the end. However, the previous student has no regrets about his decision. Graduate school is not for everyone, and it is better to find this out sooner than later.
Stellar grades and a full ride are sometimes not enough incentive to continue graduate school. For this student graduate school was a path to acceptance as a writer and freedom from insecurities. Realizing that he could achieve this prestige on his own cemented his resolution to quit. While graduate school is a good road for some, pursuing it for the wrong reasons typically results in a foreshortened academic career.
Religious beliefs clashed with ambition and brought an end to this grad students' career. Surrounded by a secular culture of competition and intellectualism, she felt alienated from her spiritual roots. This isolation forced her to question the very basis of her application to academia and eventually led to her dropout. The culture of graduate school plays a huge part in students success and finding a program that is right for you can help avoid burnout.
Is the high dropout rate of higher education a bad thing? Students are expected to be self motivated and interested in their chosen area of study. Thinkers in education advocate increased assistance to students, but time spent helping those who are unwilling to help themselves is time wasted. Rather than try to increase the number of students that graduate we should caution students against entering grad school blindly.
General Graduate School
Andrew Choi approaches the medical system from the administrative side as a recent healthcare MBA graduate. Personal life and studies collide with a good mix of anecdotes on professional conferences and updates on new technology. Upcoming events for MBAs, especially those with a focus on medicine, are recommended, typically in the southern California area. If you need to stay up to date on medical innovations, or simply want to take a glimpse at the life of an MBA, this is a great read.
An MFA allows for a huge amount of options when it comes to specialization. These five MFA students provide a lot of material to choose from. Movie reviews, social commentary, political rants, pop culture and classical philosophy dot the cleverly worded posts. While the variety and seeming spontaneity of the posts is initially intriguing, the detailed insights are the real clinchers here.
Pursuing an MFA in creative writing involves much more than putting your views on paper. This blog covers topics from writing and mailing applications to graduation and touches on news and events in the field. Posts come from a variety of different authors at different points in their graduate career. College reviews and tips on how to choose a program make this especially valuable to those currently weighing the options.
When the funnies meet academia what you end up with is Piled Higher and Deeper. These comics explore the lighter side of graduate school, or at least the more comedic side. A host of recurring characters each representing a graduate school stereotype form a loose narrative. Comedy for comedy's sake, however, is the main goal of this grad school distraction.
Graduate school barbie, genie jokes and fake degrees are the subject of this university humor site. How do you know when you are a graduate student? How does a rabbit write a dissertation? The answers to these questions and more are answered with a wink and a nudge.
Graduate Student HumorEmory University Division of Educational Studies
If you want humorous takes on research, dissertations and graduation these articles are for you. The behaviors of graduate students and professors are equally lampooned through examination. Want something more productive? See the last link for advice on how to overcome the many hurdles of education.
Prospective & Current Students
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