Advice that helped me in grad school—and what I’d tell others
News
SUMMARY: Graduate school was a big leap, full of challenges and growth. I learned a lot from others and my own experiences along the way.
Graduate school felt like a huge leap for me. As an international graduate student, everything felt new. Along the way, I learned a lot from others and from my own experiences. Now that I am close to graduation, here are a few things that I learned along the way that were probably very important to my success.
Advice others have given me
One of first thing I was told was to be open to change. Graduate school is a period of both personal and professional transition. Things will change, and that’s okay. Let yourself grow with it.
Another suggestion was to try everything that interests you. If your schedule allows, take the time to explore activities, research, or new hobbies. My roommate suggested that taking time to explore new things will broaden your horizons, and might even help you find new passions.
Also, make friends outside of the students who you interact regularly in classes within your own program. Having a different group of friends has helped me avoid getting too focused on just academics. For me, it's been a good way to stay balanced and not get overwhelmed by school.
Many people have advised me to not be afraid to ask for help. If you're facing academic pressure, dealing with stress, or just need someone to talk to, then reach out. People are more willing to help than we sometimes think.
What I’ve learned along the way
Stepping outside my academic bubble has helped me perform and feel better. I intentionally surrounded myself with people outside my own department. When I interacted with friends within department we were continuously talking about school and work even during our free time. When this happened during days I was already stressed, it made the day feel even heavier. I needed people who were involved in other pursuits.
I’ve also learned that many of the things that feel crushing in the moment really aren’t as big as they seem. I’ve learned to take a step back, take a breath, and do something helped me disconnect from work. When I went back to the issue I was facing, I returned with a new perspective, and often things didn’t look as bad.
Conclusion
Graduate school is a time to grow in so many ways. This can be challenging and stressful. Use your time in grad school to explore and try new things, grow, take care of yourself, and remember to enjoy everything along the way.
