10 Interesting Facts You May Not Know About Grad School
The interesting facts below that you may not know about grad school all have to do with getting the most out of this experience. Grad school is not like the education you received before. It’s not like when you knew exactly what you had to do because professors told you and where you could probably do the minimum and get by. Here are 10 interesting facts you may not know about grad school that will help you thrive during this trying time.
Read A Lot
Grad school isn’t about reading the bare minimum basic assignments. It’s about reading everything you can read within your discipline and then whatever you can get your hands on from related disciplines. This will make writing your dissertation a lot easier.
Ask For Criticism
As good as it may feel to get a good grade and no criticism, this is not helpful in grad school. Criticism helps you to be always improving your writing and your studies in general. If you don’t get criticism then ask for it.
Make Sure Your Advisor Is Good For You
For your advisor to be good for you they have to be able to make time for you and to give you feedback whenever you need it. Some grad students feel fortunate when they have advisors who aren’t that demanding. If your advisor doesn’t push you then that will only hurt you in the long run.
Share Your Work With Other Grad Students
You may want to hide your work from other grad students because you don’t want them to judge it or you but this is the wrong way to go. Your fellow students can give you more valuable feedback on your work. You can aim to form a writing group for consistent feedback and equal exchanges.
Get To Know The Faculty
It may be tempting to interact only with those members of the faculty that you have to but this is not in your best interest. You want to get to know more faculty members beyond necessary interactions because they will be able to help you out when you need it and so that you won’t be that student who only shows up when they need help.
Learn To Focus
As you start your career as a grad student then you will be bombarded with fascinating dissertation topics. You don’t have to choose one immediately but you do want to start narrowing your focus once you do so that you can put all your effort to good use. You can study other topics after grad school but focus on your dissertation topic now.
Grad School Isn’t For Everyone
If you find out that grad school isn’t what you want to do then it’s okay to move on to something else. Really.
Have A Social Life
Having a social life may be challenging as a grad student but it’s part of what makes life worth living. Get one.
Know When You’ll Be Done
Grad school could go on for a long time if you don’t have a set date to finish. Pick that date and don’t stray from it.
You’re In Control
You are in control of your grad school experience and of your life. If something isn’t working then change it. You’re the one making all the big decisions so don’t forget that.
Mare Ward is interested is answering questions from students about various online masters degree programs.
Posted Sep 19, 2011. Filed under studying. Leave a comment?
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