Transitioning to Graduate School

Transitioning from an undergraduate to a graduate student can be a very difficult thing. Taking on the challenge of graduate school means you are no longer just responsible for doing well in courses. You now also have the responsibilities associated with research and its progress. Throughout this page, I, a recently turned 2nd year graduate student, will try my best to communicate the most important tips to facilitate a smooth and successful transition.

A Good Balance

One of the most difficult things for incoming graduate students is finding a good balance between research, coursework, and personal life. On one end, taking things too slow and dedicating little time to research can make progressing difficult. You may do well in classes, but if your research isn't progressing, you may be asked to adjust this balance during your end of year evaluation. On the other end, focusing too much on research can lead to poor performance in courses, which will hinder your ability to progress to things like the qualifying exam (for PhD's specifically). Last but not least, trying to overwork yourself to accomplish both tasks can hinder your ability to enjoy the things you love outside of work, and can lead directly to burnout. Here are a few tips I have found worked for me in setting a good balance:

1. Setting a Routine/Schedule

Though not required to come in and leave at specific times, I have personally found that setting a routine to come in and leave at a set time both maximizes productivity during work, while also encouraging and enforcing necessary personal hours. Whether you choose to come in at night and work later, or come in early is completely up to you. But I recommend formulating a work schedule to help maintain a healthy balance.

2. Setting a Research/Coursework Divide:

Finding the right balance for coursework/research is very tricky. Courses can be difficult and require more of your time, and deadlines for research projects can also require you to spend more time. But what really matters is that during the so-called "downtime" where you have regular classes and regular research requirements, you make sure to set a divide (hour-wise) for research and coursework. For instance, you may pick specific days where a majority of your work day is set for research, and other days where a majority is focused on course work.

Finding What Works

The transition to graduate school is different for everyone. Some people come in with research experience and know exactly how to get started on their projects. Others may not have had opportunities so this is a new area for them. Thus, there is no blanket statement solution to this transition. But its important to find what works for you. Here are a few baseline things I encourage you to do that should help no matter what experience you have coming in:

On the Research Side of Things

• Schedule regular one-on-one meetings

Meeting on a regular basis with your PI will facilitate good communication and an understanding of goals.

• Make your own short-term goals

These can be daily or weekly goals. Writing them down keeps you focused on what needs to be accomplished and when.

• Set up student subgroup meetings with other students working on your project

These meetings help you gain an understanding of your fellow students' research and your own by making you explain and listen to your peers. It makes it easier to understand the interconnectivity between your research and theirs, which will prove important in future stages of research.

On the Coursework Side of Things

• Attend office hours regularly
• Set up study groups with students from the class
• Maintain regular contact/meetings with TA's
• Read the material provided for the courses

Asking For Help

Do not be afraid to ask for help from your fellow students, including senior graduate students. In both cases they are either going through or have gone through similar experiences. And don't be afraid to ask your PI for assistance too! Their job is to make sure you're on track, and their goal should be to make sure your journey to an advanced degree is successful and meaningful. Lastly, remember this important concept: No one will have everything figured out during their journey to an advanced degree. There will be times you cannot answer things, times where you may feel lost, times where you may feel frustrated. This is all just part of the journey. If you already knew the answers to everything, you would not be completing an advanced degree in the first place!

"A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor" - President Franklin D. Roosevelt