Grad School Life, Grad School Article

What life, you might ask. Graduate school can be highly stimulating and rewarding, but it can also be stressful and overwhelming if you don't develop the skills to manage it. But with a sense of humor, a little determination, and a lot of organization, you can survive, and thrive, as a grad student.

Be prepared

Even if you were never in the Scouts, this is a good motto. Research grad school life. Talk to previous and current graduate students at your school. Read the graduate student handbook. If you know what's expected of you, you can develop a strategy.

Back to basics

You don't have a lot of free time as a grad student, so get rid of the time wasters. No more solitaire, no more reality shows and definitely no more Zoo Tycoon. Seriously, you may have to strip your life down to the basics–your studies, yourself and your family and friends. That goes for the material things as well, since your money is tied up in school. No more 500 channel universe, no more designer shoes and definitely no more brand-name mac-n-cheese.

Budget your time

With doing more research, more reading and more writing than ever before, plus possibly teaching or having another full-time job, it might seem that there aren't enough hours in the day. When faced with this tricky situation, it is important to remember that you're clever–you made it through your undergrad degree with good enough grades to get into graduate school, didn't you? You probably already have an eagle-eyed focus and awesome study skills–just build on that with some serious time management and organization skills.

Get organized

If you don't know organize from origami, you have some work to do. Look at what you need to accomplish to earn your graduate degree. Break it down into years. Look at what you have to achieve this year to stay on track. Break that down into stages. Then look at what you have to finish this month, this week, today, to accomplish your goals. Write it down. Make a list. Check it twice. Find out whether you've been naughty or...well, keep checking it. Cross off steps as you complete them and pat yourself on the back if no one else will. Pretty soon you'll be able to cross off whole projects. If you find you're not completing things as scheduled, reevaluate.

Cents & sensibility

The less you have to worry about non-scholarly things, the better. Putting some time and effort into finding funding before you start school will pay off, and not just financially. Set aside some time to create a realistic budget and plan ways to stick to it. You'd rather be buried under a pile of books than a pile of bills.

Chill out

Take a break. Get away from the school sometimes. Relax your overtaxed brain. Be silly once in a while and do things where high intellectual activity is neither needed nor allowed. Do something just for the fun of it, whether it's watching the soccer game or singing karaoke.

Invest in your support network

It's free and it will pay priceless dividends. Spend time with your family and friends. They are the ones who will tell you that you are not going crazy...and will see you through when it seems like you are. It may seem like you have no time to spend on relationships during grad school but all it takes is a phone call, a coffee or an instant message.

Watch out for your colleagues

Grad school can sometimes seem hyper-competitive. But chances are your colleagues are not really out to get you. In fact, your peers can be a great resource. Remember that they are going through the same things you are. Spend some time with them. Get to know them. Be there when they need you and maybe they'll be there for you.

A body of work

It's important to take care of yourself during graduate school. Eat healthily. Exercise regularly. Sleep...no, at the library doesn't count. Take time to relax. Remember that what's good for the body is good for the brain. You can accomplish your goals more readily if you have the energy, clarity of mind and focus to take on each day.

Start to finish

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