What I Wish I Had Known When I Started Grad School

I had two reactions when invited to be on a panel about what I wish I had known when I started graduate school - one of the sessions at the Welcome Week for new graduate students. First, why would anyone ask me and I probably shouldn’t go and next, I have enough material to write a book. Luckily (for everyone involved) I did not follow through on either impulse. On a more serious note, there are a lot of things I wish I had know when I started grad school. They would have made my personal life easier, my professional development process faster and my academic career more fulfilling at the very least. While answering questions on the panel, it seemed to me that it wasn’t very fair to the students who were on a waitlist for the orientation or couldn’t make it for a host of other reasons, to not have access to this information. I also thought having this online would allow more people to share their tips and tricks and more people to access these. Elise Madden who was also on the panel helped put this together. It is deliberately brief and concise, to make it useful and not overwhelming. I would love to add to this list - feel free to comment here or shoot me an email.

Living on a budget

The grad school life is a fairly budget-constrained one for most of us, no matter how many jobs and projects we are juggling. Here are some ways to save and stretch your budget:

1. Subscribe to the UMN newsletter Live Like a Student, which has useful tips
2. Visit the UMN Reuse Center. They have free folders and a ton of other stuff such as furniture, bikes, kitchen items and more at reasonable prices.  Peik Hall has a free stuff shelf.
3. Rent or buy textbooks for cheap from websites such as www.valore.com, www.chegg.com and www.alibris.com (there are several of them out there and these are often substantially cheaper than the bookstore or buying new books at Amazon).
4. Make sure you are on the UMN Facebook pages for cheap and free stuff and housing options.

 

Academically

1. Some programs have a fairly fixed set of requirements to graduate, others offer varying levels of flexibility. Having some sort of a course plan based on requirements, availability of classes and professors during the semesters you are on campus is a good starting point. Even if things don’t stay on track, you will at least know what is left to be completed. Even if you’ve done research on your program prior to admission, continue to feel out your program. Perhaps you might decide that a slightly different track or concentration works best for you.

2. Try and get published. Consider starting by writing for journals within your department or more interdisciplinary journals such as Reconsidering Development.

3. This may not apply to all degrees as much but try and explore academically outside your school. I took a great class in the Public Health school my first semester that has formed the base of many of my subsequent classes.

4. Reach out to (current and past) students and faculty. They can both provide tips and bits of wisdom throughout your course. Visit office hours, so your faculty know you and your experience is more personalized. Also who knows when these connections come handy.

5. This cannot be emphasized enough: the libraries are a great resource. There is tons of material available online and in the libraries. If they don’t have it, they will get it for you free of cost through an Inter Library Loan. You can learn how to cite and use citation managers (a crucial part of most degrees) through free workshops, both in-person and online. Libraries are open all night during finals week. They have quiet spots to study. Books can be checked out for 3 months! What is not to like!

Professional development

1. Use an Individual Development Plan (or whatever specific tool works for you) to assess where you are when you start, how are you progressing and what could you do better. You may think there will be time but time flies fast and by building this in (preferable as a review session with a mentor), you will be able to avoid getting waylaid by other activities.
2. Do you know about the mentoring programs offered by the university? By your school?  Have you thought about approaching people you know professionally or academically to be your mentors? Check out the variety of mentoring-related resources. Look for career services that your school offers.
3. Keep your past connections! If you think of something that reminds you of one of your undergrad professors or if you come across their citation in an article, email them. Let them know that they have been an instrumental part of how you got where you are. Remind them that you’re grateful for the instruction they provided and that you still draw upon that knowledge in your current situation.
4. Take advantage of professional development and networking opportunities offered by the university and your school. If there are conferences that look interesting, ask your department if they can fund your attendance. Apply for travel grants. Ask the conference coordinators if you can volunteer in exchange for the opportunity to participate.
5. Are you looking ways to gain more interdisciplinary experience (and meet folks from other schools while at it)? Do you know about organizations such as Common Grounds, Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Development, Advanced Professionals Consulting Club?
6. Start planning for your summer/winter internships at the start of the school year and for your plans after graduation no later than the start of your final year. Things take time!

Social

Remember not to miss out on the social side of grad school simply because you were too busy studying or working. Your peers will be your friends and connections once you leave the university.

1. There are several organizations on campus, representing a variety of interests. Find the one that is of maximum interest to you and get involved as little or as much as you would like. Several of these are graduate student-focused.
2. Go for social events organized by organizations such as Council of Graduate Students, Council of International Graduate Students, your school and department.
3. There are free movie screenings at Coffman Union Theater and St. Paul Student Center every month! Check this page to learn more: http://sua.umn.edu/events/
4. Guthrie Theater has a student email list and often sends out special and discounted offers for shows (go to their website and email them).
5. If you find yourself struggling (and many of us do) with loneliness and feeling overwhelmed, go and meet a counsellor at Boynton Health Services.
6. Your fees includes a gym cost so you should use the Wellness Center (which also had a lot of different equipment, swimming pools and free and paid classes).

This is just a preliminary draft. I am sure lots could and should be added to it. Feel free to let me know of other interesting links or useful pieces of information to add!