6 Tips to Survive Graduate School for Beginners

Hi Guys,

               For all of you who haven't read my first post on what to expect on my blog (you can read it here). I've mentioned there that I'm currently going to Graduate school. I majored in Industrial Psychology in University of Santo Tomas. I started attending grad school last year 2016. I am now on my third semester. 

                Because I am previously working as a full time employee. I only took 2 to 3 subjects per semester. Being a full time employee and a Graduate Student is not that easy. You have to deal with stress from work and school, time pressure and many more. In this blog post I will be discussing my 6 Tips to Survive Grad school for Beginners. I hope to post another blog related to this soon. But for now, this post is for beginners that hopes to find balance between school, work and life.

With no particular order here are the 6 Tips to Survive Graduate School for Beginners:

1. Be Prepared

          Graduate School is all about Professors. Aside from preparing your stuff for grad school and looking at the rooms and facilities of the school so you won't get lost. Knowing your professor beforehand is a must. If you know someone who already attending the same school as you. You can fish some information from them which professors you should take. In my case, I asked my former classmate who is now attending the same school who among the Professors should I take. (Some universities offer the same subject with different professor) Knowing your Professors beforehand will give you a hint on how to get good grades, know the method of teaching and what kind of requirements does he/she gives.

2. Dream Team

           Get yourself a Dream Team. Form a group of friends within your classmates that has the same dreams and goals. Surround yourself with people who will encourage you to do your best in Graduate School and would help you with your school works if ever you needed so.

            Also, be cautious of people who are toxic (I will be talking more about this in my next post). This people doesn't like you to do good in class. They will drag you down. They will pretend that they like to help you but they don't.

            And if your in a Dream Team be part of that team. Help them succeed as well because that's what friendship is all about ;)

3. Up Your Game

                Be active in class. Get your head on the game and start that brain working. Be attentive in class and go ahead of time if you have too. Professors in Graduate School like students who are actively participating in class. That doesn't mean that you have to recite all the time. But being class all the time and actively participating gives a plus point. Also make sure that your head is in the classroom. Listen attentively to your classmates' answers and the professors' notes. Because trust me it will all appear in the exam later in the semester.

4. Don't balance your time, balance your life

               Being a full time employee and student is really a struggle. As much as we want to make our day longer than the usual to do all the stuff that we needed to finish we cant. Unfortunately, we cannot add nor subtract time but we can add and subtract the things we do with our time. Instead of balancing time, trying to balance all the things you do with your time. 

               When you entered Graduate School you are going to risk all the time, energy and money for classes, school works, meetings, seminars and papers. Make sure that you use your time productively. If you have to risk going to the bar with your friends just to earn that degree. Do it. Earning that degree will only happen once. Give your best out of it.

5. Seek Guidance and advise

                  Unlike your Undergraduate years Graduate school is so much different. Your classmates are professionals and your professors are CEOs, managers and supervisors. In our road to graduate school there are times that you just want to give up. There will be a huge roller coaster ride of emotions out there. Seek advise and help. Be open that your parents and friends that does not go to graduate school can also help you. Not all the answers in Graduate school can be found in school. Look around you there are a lot of people that are willing to help. Even God is willing to help and listen ;)

6. Enjoy

               Graduate School looks like a real thing. But it only happens once and the experience is remarkable. Enjoy your life in Graduate School. Enjoy the circumstances and challenges that molds your idea, intellect and perception in life. You can learn a lot from grad school not only in academics but also in life. Know yourself more while enjoying grad school. Experiment on the things that you want to do while in grad school. Enjoy while learning in grad school. Life is too short enjoy it.

How about you guys? Do you have tips for me or do you have something to share? Put it in the comment box. I'd love to know about your small beginnings in Grad School as well.

Thanks guys 

Love lots,

Seline :)