Embarking on graduate school can seem overwhelming. It necessitates mastering the art of multitasking within strict time constraints. To assist you in this journey and enhance your CV, here are 16 tips designed to simplify your life as a graduate student.
- Read the student handbook carefully.
- Stick to the recommended plan for coursework and other program requirements set by your department.
- Graduate school can be isolating. Connect with your cohort and other grad students. Form an active graduate student organization. Seek advice from previous cohorts and support newer ones. Aim for at least monthly academic or social gatherings with others in your program. Join student clubs, volunteer, and network. This shows you can multitask and are well-rounded, strengthening your CV.
- Read each syllabus thoroughly and follow it carefully; ask your professor questions if anything is unclear.
- Plan for each semester at the start, using a paper planner, Google Calendar, Microsoft To Do, Apple Reminders, or other tools that can help keep you on top of all the projects you’ll be juggling. The nature of work can vary each term, so have both long-term and short-term plans that go beyond just your coursework.
- Use tips and tricks on how to read social research, especially when there is a lot to read.
- Select an advisor and committee members you can get along with, not just based on research interests. Writing a thesis is a long process, and you want supportive people on your committee.
- Have regular meetings with your advisor to ensure you are aligned with them and to keep you on track. Waiting too long between meetings can start to make the work seem more overwhelming than necessary.
- Publish as much as possible if you plan to stay in academia. The job market is very competitive, and publications are essential to make your CV stand out.
- Start sending abstracts and attending conferences early during your degree. It’s a great opportunity to present your work, receive feedback from specialists, and network. Starting early will help you feel like a pro when it’s time to hit the job market and you want to be as polished as possible.
- Collaborate with others on different projects. This helps build your CV and increases your publications. Considering asking your supervisor, other professors in or outside your department, fellow graduate students, or those you’ve met at conferences with similar research interests if they might want to work on a project together.
- A good dissertation is a finished one. Choose a manageable topic that fits your time and capabilities and really listen to your supervisor’s advice. Do not try to do more than what they think is possible to finish. Also remember that a dissertation is a school exercise, not your life’s work.
- Ask for help when needed, including from support staff, administrative personnel, your graduate advisor, and the graduate student association are there to assist you with your program. Don’t forget about resources outside of your program too, university writing centres, mental health services, librarians, and others can help you improve your writing, research, and life skills.
- Start looking for positions & preparing your documents for academic jobs the summer before your graduation. Jobs usually start getting posted in August through December for the following academic year and the process can take a long time. Non-academic jobs and post-docs often have a shorter process, so you’ll want to begin applying for positions about four to five months before your graduation.
- Don’t forget to live your life while in school. Graduate school can be really stressful and maintain a good work-life balance is essential for avoiding burn out. Though, progress in your program is important, none of it matters if you have to sacrifice your overall well-being.