Graduate Students

The graduate student experience is often very different from the undergraduate experience, and graduate students face unique stressors. For example, graduate students tend to work closely with a few professors. (This is different than undergraduates who have a lot of classes from many different professors.) Hence, for graduate students, good communication with key professors is vital to success.

Other stressors faced by some graduates are balancing school with other life demands. Because grad students are generally older than undergraduates, many have obligations such as partners and children. Finding the balance between the demands of school, and the obligations at home can be a difficult challenge.

Another challenge faced by graduate students is managing their time effectively. The demands on your time may occasionally seem very daunting. It is important to be able to prioritize and organize what needs to be done when, while also making time to take care of yourself.

Below are some tips to help graduate students face some of these stressors.

Survival Skills for Graduate Students

The following tips can help graduate students survive the demands of graduate school.

Tenacity: Keep going despite discouragement, depression, and ambiguity. Part of getting an advanced degree is building a thick skin, and not giving up. Seek help and support to help you keep the momentum going.

Initiative: It is better to ask for forgiveness than permission. Faculty won't hold your hand. If you feel that you are not getting enough answers to questions, make a decision, and proceed. Again, seek support from others, including professionals.

Flexibility: Be prepared to compromise, "make do," find alternatives, look for opportunities, re-define your direction.

Interpersonal Skills: It is essential that you develop and maintain good relationships with your advisors, committee, your research and support staff, and your fellow students.

Politics: You must be able to play the politics game because it is the key to getting things done with the help of others. How? Treat people with respect and determine different working styles. Some hints:

• Give credit where credit is due.
• Acknowledge and thank them for their help.
• Respect their expertise, advice and time.
• Apologize if you are at fault.
• Realize that different things motivate different people.

Organizational skills: Practice effective time management skills, know your priorities, and work toward some balance in your life. Do what you say you will do in a timely manner.

Communication Skills:

• Learn how to ask for things. "I need."
• Set limits, "I will be able to get to that next week."
• Learn to listen.
• Be polite.
• Keep your committee apprised of your progress. (e.g. write short status reports on your progress and send to committee members on a weekly basis. Keep it friendly.)

Dealing with advisors: If none of the above strategies work out, or it's not a good fit - don't be afraid to switch to another advisor. Seek support and consultation when making these decisions.

Balance and Perspective: Take care of your health, your relationships, and your well-roundedness. It will keep graduate school in perspective.

If you need help dealing with any of these or any other stressors, the Counseling and Psychological Services are here to help you. Call 737-2131 to set up an appointment.