adjusting to grad school

Productive Procrastination

Published: 12 August 2022
Written by Fitsum petros
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Categories: blogs
Tags: adjusting to grad school, advice for graduate students, procrastination

Doing a Ph.D. is a daunting task. Graduate students have to be self-motivated and self-governing. In the instance I lose motivation to keep working on my research, I like to engage in tasks that are not taxing on the mind but will get my motor running. Here is a list of things you could do when you have the energy to complete tasks but don’t want to work on your…

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How to Deal with Grad School Competition

Published: 6 July 2017
Written by Rene M. Paulson
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Categories: blogs
Tags: adjusting to grad school, competition, grad school, grad school advice, peers, Rene Paulson

It is no secret that pursuing a graduate degree is emotionally, psychologically, and physically exhausting. Graduate school can be the first time students truly experience the deep frustrations of a competitive learning environment. Graduate students can come face to face with a deep, pervasive anxiety that seeps into everyday life, a constant questioning of capability, intelligence, and whether or not one is cut out to be there. As…

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What is an Academic Coach? Do you need one?

Published: 8 March 2017
Written by Rene M. Paulson
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Categories: blogs
Tags: academic coach, adjusting to grad school, first-year grad student, grad school, grad school help, Rene Paulson

  “Academic coaching is an interactive process that focuses on the personal relationship created between the student and the coach. The coach challenges the student to think about his or her personal and/or professional goals in order to relate them to his or her academic/educational goals.

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How to Find Free Money for Graduate School Part 3

Published: 5 December 2016
Written by Rene M. Paulson
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Categories: blogs
Tags: adjusting to grad school, broke graduate student, budget, finances, financial apps, Rene Paulson

 Assistantships are another way of funding your graduate education and are available at many schools with graduate programs. Unlike scholarships, assistantships are more like a work-study program. Graduate assistantships are additional educational opportunities for graduate students while pursuing their graduate education. With assistantships, graduate students are offered free or reduced tuition in exchange for leading discussions in undergraduate classes, proctoring exams and grading, or assisting professors with important…

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Welcome to the PhDStudent Blogosphere, Ryan!

Published: 6 November 2015
Written by Ryan
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Categories: blogs
Tags: adjusting to grad school, family life, graduate school, parenting, time

My name is Ryan, and I am currently in my final year of graduate school in the Public Policy and Political Economy doctoral program at the University of Texas at Dallas. My policy focus is on international development with an area specialty in Latin America and the Caribbean issues. However, I do find myself looking to Africa to see what development trends seem to be working there. I am fascinated…

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Note-Taking Methods for Grad Students

Published: 27 March 2015
Written by Rene M. Paulson
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Categories: blogs
Tags: adjusting to grad school, first-year grad student, grad school advice, note-taking, Rene Paulson

Graduate school can be overwhelming, as most of you already know.  There are classes and seminars to attend, research to do, labs to complete, exams to study for, and comps to take.  I’m sure if there was something that could make your routine easier, you’d be up for it, right?  Well, here’s your chance to simplify your life, if only just a little bit, by learning which method of…

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A Pep Talk to the Overworked Grad Student

Published: 16 January 2015
Written by Sara
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Categories: blogs
Tags: adjusting to grad school, avoid burnout, first-year grad student, grad school advice, graduate school

Feel like your advisor is working you into the ground? Perhaps you have come to the conclusion that graduate programs have complete disregard for their students’ personal lives and that they intentionally and ruthlessly work their students like slaves. I won’t attempt to deny these accusations, but I do believe in seeing the bright side to any unfortunate situation. Below I’ve outlined a little pep talk to encourage you on…

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Upcoming Series: Smartphone Apps for Grad Students

Published: 29 December 2014
Written by Rene M. Paulson
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Categories: blogs
Tags: adjusting to grad school, career outcomes, finances, grad school advice, graduate school, Rene Paulson

It seems that technology is advancing with each passing day, especially when it comes to our mobile phones.  Smartphones have become such a part of our normal routine that we tend to panic when we forget them at home, when they run out of batteries, or when we drop them and crack the screens. I’m basing my next series on these gadgets and something that…

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Being Sick as a College Student

Published: 3 December 2014
Written by Rene M. Paulson
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Categories: blogs
Tags: adapt to changes, adjusting to grad school, cant sleep, grad school eating habits, graduate school, Rene Paulson

We’ve all been there: sick in bed and unsure if it would be good to grin and bear it and carry on about our day, or call in sick to stay at home and rest.  Many graduate students probably end up ignoring their sicknesses and acting like they’re okay, but this isn’t always the best decision.  There are plenty of reasons why you might want to think twice about going to…

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Adjusting to Grad School: When You Can’t Do It All

Published: 11 September 2014
Written by Rene M. Paulson
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Categories: blogs
Tags: adapt to changes, adjusting to grad school, depressed, grad school advice, graduate school, Rene Paulson

I recently wrote that the major ways to handle schedule changes in grad school are to set your priorities, budget your time, and know your limits. I also discussed that managing your time, maintaining your relationships, and creating new relationships are ways you can adjust to social changes in grad school. But what if your new schedule and changed social life get to be too much? What if…

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