Tips for Transitioning and Surviving Graduate School

This shop with tips for transitioning and surviving graduate school has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BTSwithHP #CollectiveBias
One thing I never talked about as much as I had hoped (mostly because I was too busy with it at the time) was my experience with grad school.  This post is way overdue (by two years, oops!), but since it’s back to school season, I figured there couldn’t be a more perfect time than now to share my tips for transitioning and surviving graduate school.  These tips are based on my past experience in a two year master’s program.  I hope they’re helpful to any of you that may be starting grad school this semester or thinking about applying to a program and wondering what to expect.

Before I get started, let me just say that grad school and undergrad are two completely different things.  In undergrad, you’re forced to take general education courses you have zero interest in, but in grad school, this usually isn’t the case.  This is a good thing because now you’ll be able to focus all of your attention on what matters to you the most.

Grad school is a choice, so the program you choose should be in an area of study you’re passionate about. It is very research based which requires lots of self discipline and initiative, all of which can easily be achieved.  The workload is still heavy, but it is much more enjoyable and even easier at times because it’s all about what you actually want to learn.

I personally thought grad school was much easier (in its own way) than undergrad because I was interested in everything I was researching, studying, and writing about.  When you have a passion for what you do, it really does make all the difference!
Tips for transitioning and surviving graduate school:

Do it with passion:

My number one tip for transitioning and surviving graduate school is if you want to succeed and enjoy your program, you need to have a passion for it.  Before you make the decision to commit to a program, be completely sure it’s what you like and want to do!  As I said before, if you have that passion, it won’t feel like work!

Apply for fellowships early:

Graduate programs are extremely pricey, so while you’re in the process of prepping to transition from undergrad, start thinking about your finances.  Many programs offer fellowships and assistantships which can provide you with anything from a full ride scholarship, to stipends and class credits. Application deadlines are typically early for these, so if you want to gain valuable experience and save some money, apply early!

Openly communicate:

Every program has an advisor that you should plan to work closely with throughout the duration of your studies.  Open communication is key when it comes to meeting with your advisors.  You should always be clear of your goals and expectations through your program so your advisors can ensure you are getting the most out of your experiences.  They’ll be able to point you in the right direction to align your research, network, coursework, and internships with your future career goals.

Take initiative:

Having discipline, creating deadlines, and taking initiative all go hand in hand.  In grad school, you won’t have anyone hovering over you to remind you and tell you what or when to do things, so it’s up to you to take initiative.  Everyone is focused on their individual research in grad school, so now is the time to be independent and focus on your own path!Discipline yourself:

Grad school has stricter requirements in comparison to undergrad.  If you want to survive graduate school, you need to have discipline.  Letting your grades slip just once could potentially cost you the entire program.  Unlike undergrad, most grad programs require you to maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above to be considered as passing.

Create deadlines:

In grad school, you’re mostly own your own.  Your requirements and expectations are laid out in the beginning, and then it’s up to you to meet them.  Independent research projects, theses, and dissertations last the entire duration of your program, so it’s up to you to create your own deadlines, work at your own pace, and have the discipline to get it done in a realistic and timely manner. Don’t think you can wait until the last minute to do this!  If you want to easily stay on track, it helps to create your own academic calendar for each semester.

Utilize your network:

Your peers in your program, professors, and advisors are all part of your professional network in grad school.  Utilize your network to secure opportunities while in school and after school.  Networking within your program is a great way to get your foot in the door of a future company that may hire you for a job after graduation.  Make it a point to make yourself known and leave a great impression, it will pay off later!

Take time for yourself:

Remember, you are only capable of doing so much.  Taking time for yourself is crucial for surviving grad school.  Your health should be your number one priority, because without it, you won’t be able to give school your all.  Always remember to give yourself a break when needed.  Here are 10 ways to take time for yourself for when you’re feeling stressed.

Arrive prepared

Make sure you arrive fully prepared for a successful post-grad experience. Having access to the right tools will make it much more easier to transition.

These are a few grad school essentials:

– External hard drive: a must for backing up your thesis!
– Healthy snacks: you’ll always be on the go, so try to keep things as healthy as you can.
– Water bottle: also a necessity for long classes and always being on the go.
– Highlighters and sticky notes: these are great for dissecting peer reviewed research.
– Binders: this is great for organizing the research you gather for your thesis or dissertation.
– Lightweight laptop: you’ll use this everyday, so you’ll need the best!

I recently received the new HP Envy notebook and I recommend it for an affordable, lightweight, and powerful computer. It features the latest Intel® Core™ i processor which makes every task a thrill and has full HD display and audio by Bang & Olufsen.  It’s made like a traditional notebook, but it’s touchscreen which is just so cool!  It’s great for all day portability since it’s thin, light, and has an all-day-long lasting battery, which is a must for grad school work loads. If you’re looking for a game changer to help you conquer even your most ambitious challenges, the new HP Envy notebook sold at Walmart is for you!
Will you be heading to grad school this semester? If you’ve completed a graduate program, share your tips for transitioning and surviving graduate school below!

If you own a HP computer and love it, be sure to visit Walmart to share your thoughts in an online review to help other back to school shoppers!