How to Succeed in Graduate School
By: Micki Harris
Congratulations! You have been accepted to graduate school. Now what? You have already proven that you have the skills and drive needed to excel by getting an undergraduate degree. However, graduate school is not just an extra couple of years of undergrad. While the transition is not quite as jarring as the transition from high school to college, there are still some differences between your undergraduate career and your graduate career.
From personal experience, one of the first things that I had to do was try and let go of “imposter syndrome.” I enrolled in graduate school over twenty years after I received my undergraduate degree, so I worried if I would still have the skills necessary to be a successful student since I was out of practice. However, I realized that I did indeed belong, and there were a lot of other students like me who have taken the opportunity to further their education after time away. The research and writing skills that I developed both in high school and undergrad were still there, bolstered by the ability to do some research from my home, which was a boon for my efficiency.
Speaking of efficiency, know what study habits work for you. You are not suddenly going to become more effective in the morning if you are a night owl, and vice versa. Of course, if you are juggling a full-time job or caring for family in addition to your studies, you might have to find little pockets of time wherever you can instead of marathon work sessions. Those pockets of time add up. I still purchase physical books for my classes; I always keep one in the car in case I have some extra time before appointments, between errands, etc. That is also a good time for a little brainstorming. Bottom line: you know how you work best. Your methods have gotten you this far, and they will push you past the finish line again.
One of the new habits that I have learned while studying and writing is the “pomodoro method,” which is setting a timer to work a certain amount of time, and then taking a break for a certain amount of time. This has been more productive for me rather than setting a goal of a certain number of pages read or written (it also helps with eye strain!). The common breakdown is twenty-five minutes of work (with no distractions: no social media…no emails…no texts…I am still training myself to lose the distractions) then a five-minute break. A quick stretch and some fresh air can do wonders. Just like physical exercise, where sometimes the first five minutes are the hardest, once your body or your brain gets warmed up, things tend to get easier. That being said, just like you are not always going to crush your workout, you are not always going to crush your study or writing session. Use those opportunities as learning experiences as well. How were you feeling? Were you unprepared for your session? Were there too many distractions? Unfortunately, life does get in the way sometimes, and you might have personal situations that are far more important than school. Your professors are human too, and they understand. Communicate with them! They want you to succeed both as a student and as a person. Be proactive in communicating with your professors, especially if you are in an online program and do not have the opportunity to meet them in person. Just like in undergrad, they have office hours for a reason, and it is okay to ask for help. Asking for help is a vital part of learning.
One of the things that has helped me in graduate school is reviving my yoga and meditation practice. Even just taking five or ten minutes to sit quietly and focus inward can help tremendously (a good use for a pomodoro break!). I have a habit of thinking about my current projects constantly, and stepping away for even just a few moments can lower my stress level a bit. Don’t let your hobbies, extracurriculars, and non-school life fall by the wayside!
Most importantly, have a support system, whether it be family, friends, or fellow students. Graduate school (like life) can be stressful and frustrating, so take a break and meet a pal for coffee or go for a walk and allow yourself to complain about your workload and how you do not think you will meet your deadlines. Don’t worry, you will!
And have fun. Whether you are in graduate school to further your career, fulfill a lifelong dream, or prove to yourself that you can succeed, the opportunity to interact with like-minded individuals is a wonderful thing. Take advantage of everything graduate school has to offer and be confident in your own abilities. You can do this!
