Happy Back-to-School Season! We’re back with a new year and semester. I can’t believe that I’ve completed my first year of the program (😲). Now I’m part of the second-year crew! I’m excited to welcome the new first-years to the program. Although this isn’t everybody, here are some helpful tips that we’re passing along to the new first-year students:
Grad School Advice for First Years
My advice is to find a good school/social life balance
Sydney J (photo courtesy of Sydney J)
Try to create routines that work for you. Find a way that you like to take notes, learn how to skim readings (I googled!), a way you like to plan out assignment schedules. When there’s a plan, it helps make things less overwhelming! And remember, you will always turn your work in. Even if it seems like you have no idea how, or if you need to work with professors to finish it, Â you will get it done.
Lindsey L (photo courtesy of Lindsey L)
Take some time for your hobbies, find things around you that you want to do, or allow yourself to take some personal time! Whatever you feel is the best way to take time for yourself. You may be a student but sometimes we all need to do something that rejuvenates us so that we can continue learning and helping at 100%.
Caroline J
Get to know your cohort! It’s great to have people around you going through the same experiences. Make friends and rely on each other
Nick R (photo courtesy of Nick R)
Try not to be too hard on yourself! Mistakes you make are all learning experiences and you are in school to learn! By the time you’re done you will be more prepared than you even realize.Â
Hannah L (photo courtesy of Hannah L)
Ask questions. There are no silly questions and we are all learning!
Impostor syndrome is real. Trust the process, talk to a trusted friend, share your concerns, you are not alone. You are doing the best you can and that’s enough! You are here for a reason.
Jo P (photo courtesy of Jo P)
Try to come into the program with an open mind. The study habits or things that made you successful before will certainly serve you well, but it is important to allow yourself to develop new strategies for success that are adapted to this program specifically.
Coleman M (photo courtesy of Coleman M)
During stressful times, remember that you deserve to be here. Making the decision to go to graduate school and applying to programs are huge steps. Getting an interview is an honor. Getting accepted?! You are amazing! You have worked extremely hard for years to get to the point where you can be accepted into the program of your choosing.
Graduate school can be very gratifying because you get to focus all of your studies, time, and energy into the subject you have chosen to study. You may have had this plan for a very long time, and progressing in your journey towards your career is exciting. Your professors are also excited for you, and usually have the same passion for the subject. Our program’s professors treat us as colleagues, and your cohort members are people you will be consulting with for years to come. Enjoy this chapter of your life!
Marissa C
Get to know your cohort mates, they are your lifeline!
(Even if you think you already have friends and support in place, these are the people who you will be doing projects with, asking for advice on cases, and spending lots of time with!)
Emily H (photo courtesy of Emily H)
My #1 tip for incoming graduate students is to trust the process. You will not know what you are doing at first and that is exactly where you are supposed to be. Things will not make sense, but eventually you will find yourself having insightful conversations and understanding information that were foreign to you a year ago, semester ago, or even just a week ago. Then, when you think you are understanding things, the next day you will find a hundred other things that you do not know and that is totally okay. You are here for a reason. You will make it through. You will be successful. Just trust the process.Â
Maddie H (photo courtesy of Maddie H)
Take it one step at a time and you’ll get there. If you can, take a whole day off from school every week where you do something you enjoy and get proper rest. You got this!
Sofie T (photo courtesy of Sofie T)
Make sure to celebrate all the little wins! You are doing incredible things in such a short amount of time, so be sure to take a look at how much growth you’re making.
Pauline L
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