Tips on what to expect in graduate school and how to survive your first year in graduate school.

1. st
1
Surviving Your
Year in
Graduate School

2. Get used to reading…a lot.
• Train yourself to read
• Active reading (notes, etc.)
• Speed reading classes

3. Get used to writing…a lot
 No
multiple choice tests
 Journal
articles, grant proposal,
thesis/dissertation proposals, term papers,
etc.
 Develop
your writing
Writing
Center at UTA

4. Participate in class
 That
is, engaging in actual
dialogue, not just showing up

5. Double check everything
Quality work, be detail oriented
High Standard
Don’t be afraid to ask questions

6. Manage Your Time Efficiently

7. Manage Your Time Efficiently
 Reading
up on time management
techniques
 Exercise to be healthy and reduce stress
 Find time to do things you enjoy for the
sake of your sanity
 The
last 2 are not a waste of time!
 Burn out

8. Introduce yourself to your professors
 No,
it’s not sucking up.
 Remember,
they’re human too.

9. Develop a Good Relationship With
Your Faculty Advisor
 Get
 Be
to know them
open and honest with them
 Remember:
They want you to succeed and
are here to guide your through graduate
school

10. Don’t be a
• Like Eric said last week, don’t burn
bridges
• Future work

11. Your Friends & Family
 Might
feel neglected
 May or may not understand how difficult
graduate school is
 Tell them what to expect when you start
graduate school
 Unfortunately, you might lose a few friends
too

12. Emotional Rollercoaster
 Your
fellow graduate students are feeling
the same things you are