Global Ambassador Stories
Do You Want to “Survive” Graduate School?
Story by Robert Nyaga
February 21, 2020
Each year, many students across the world either join or apply for graduate school. But as we might have heard, graduate school can be stressful and the amount of demand it comes with can be inundating. As a Ph.D. Candidate myself, I have experienced some of the challenges of being in graduate school, and I am glad to share tips that can help current and/or prospective graduate students be successful.
It is okay not to be okay. Due to the pressure to do more in less time, and having little leisure time, it is common for students to experience burnout. When this happens, know that you are not alone and that you are not the only one facing such kind of pressure. Most universities in the US have health centers that handle mental health issues. Thus, it is important to accept how you feel and take steps to seek help. This might entail checking for wellness resources at your institution, sharing your concerns with professionals dealing with mental illnesses, or just knowing how to prioritize tasks so as to avoid being overloaded.
Avoid unnecessary comparison with others. As a graduate student, there are times when I have been tempted to compare my success with that of other people. But at the end of the day, I realized that we all have different aspirations and goals in life. So, instead of constantly comparing myself with others, I found it more fulfilling to measure my progress against my past and present achievements. As you start your degree, set your own goals and work towards achieving them!
Manage your time well: In graduate school each minute counts! Plan ahead for all the assignments and tasks and make sure you spend your time well. Do not wait till the last minute to do all your assignments. Instead, break assignments into smaller parts then work on these parts at a time. Each little progress will amount to one giant leap in the end!
Remain on schedule: One of the ways of ensuring you graduate on time is discussing all the milestones you need to accomplish with your graduate advisor. For instance, know how many courses you should take each semester, know if you will be required to write a thesis or take the non-thesis track, and know the requirements of each track. Having regular meetings with my advisor is also another way that has helped me to constantly review my progress and adjust accordingly to suit various situations.
Stay engaged: There are many ways in which you can remain active on campus. Find a club to join, or even the gym for some regular exercises. Having volunteered as a Global Ambassador for the past 2 years, I have seen the value of volunteering as I have been able to build a network of friendships that have always come in handy. For me, staying engaged has been a good way of breaking from the rigorous academic schedule, and taking time to have fun! Remember graduate school will be as interesting or as boring as you choose. So, have fun and be happy!!
The writer is a Ph.D. Candidate in Health Communication at Purdue University.
The views of the author are not necessarily those of the Grad School or Purdue University.