It’s that time again…a brand new semester. In this post, the conclusion of a two-part series, I will share the remainder of my tips on how to be a successful graduate student!
- Seek support. Nobody is going to understand the pressures you are under like other graduate students or even your advisor. It is too easy for us to become insulated and isolated in our own little worlds of on-line classes and research. Reach out to your cohort. Start making connections. Start a student support group! Share your struggles and successes.
- Don’t neglect your research. Don’t neglect your research. Don’t neglect your research. That one was so good I had to say it three times. If you are in a graduate program that requires a thesis, this is essential. So many students successfully complete their classwork but languish during the thesis process. Because your research doesn’t have immediate and pressing deadlines doesn’t mean it is any less important than the other work you are doing. Block out the most productive times during your day when you are working on a paper. You will probably find that you need to have at least a few consecutive hours in order to focus. It is very difficult to only work on papers “here and there.” And it’s almost impossible to write a quality paper when you wait until the last minute.
- Time management. Set yourself up with a schedule and stick to it. Schedule everything, time with family, personal time, work time, study time, work out time, etc. Yes, you need to include work out time. Figure out when you are most productive and block out those hours to do papers or more intense work. Do NOT allow family, friends, the telephone, instant message or Facebook to interfere with your blocked off time.
- Enjoy! This is a wonderful and exciting time. Yes, it is stressful. But know that you can and will handle and manage the stress. Do not allow feeling overwhelmed to stop you from pursuing your passion!
- You are entering a new world. Nobody really understands academia like other academics. People may think all you do all day is sit around with cups of coffee and philosophize about the world. In reality you will work harder than you ever have but you will love it! You may find your relationships with other people changing because of this: it may be difficult to share this part of yourself with those who do not understand. Nobody except us really cares or wants to know how your literature review is going, how you are going to find subjects, how difficult the IRB process is, etc. You may find that your relationships change and grow, or some may wither and die. It’s all part of the growing process of life. Expect and embrace it.
Yours in the Joy of Knowledge,
Dr. Barbara LoFrisco
