grad school advice

Mental Health & Grad School

Published: 30 November 2022
Written by Chelsea Leonard
No comments
Categories: blogs
Tags: grad school advice, mental health, surviving grad school

Graduate school can be a lot, even for a neurotypical person. It can often push you to what feels like the brink of insanity as you juggle deadlines, work, and everything else that it takes to survive. But what happens when you enter graduate school if you are already struggling to survive a fight against your own brain? I started graduate school the same year that I foolishly promised myself…

Read More

Staying Focused

Published: 11 August 2022
Written by Chelsea Leonard
No comments
Categories: blogs
Tags: advice for graduate students, grad school advice

You got into graduate school – congratulations! You worked hard to get here. Now be prepared to work harder. Even with the most laid-back professors, the course work will feel overwhelming. You may be taking multiple courses at once, working one or five jobs, or have family that needs you. Every assignment will feel like a battle – a fight to stay focused on what you are…

Read More

The Right Time for Grad School

Published: 29 December 2021
Written by Chelsea Leonard
No comments
Categories: blogs
Tags: applying to graduate school, chelsealeonard, grad school advice

When you are juggling coursework, a social life, and finances in your undergrad, you are only trying to survive to the finish line: graduation. You don’t want to stop and think about the terrifying unknown of post-graduation, yet that’s the question everyone asks: “What are you going to do after graduation? Work? Grad school?” There is this moment of what feels like impending doom – make a choice to go…

Read More

Returning To Graduate School after Hiatus

Published: 23 February 2018
Written by Rene M. Paulson
No comments
Categories: blogs
Tags: grad school, grad school advice, grad school application, phd, phd advice, Rene Paulson

Are you contemplating furthering your education but think too late to return to school?  Many potential students see a long hiatus from school as an obstacle to furthering their education.  You always planned to complete that master’s or doctoral degree, but life happens—career, family, obligations.  Things have changed and you’re ready to take that next step.  You want that graduate degree, but is it possible to return…

Read More

Recommendation Letters: Who to Ask, How to Ask, and When

Published: 16 January 2018
Written by Rene M. Paulson
No comments
Categories: blogs
Tags: grad school, grad school advice, grad school application, phd advice, recommendation letters, Rene Paulson

If you are facing graduate school applications, it’s time to get serious about requesting references for your letters of recommendation.  Usually grades and test scores factor are most influential in a graduate school application; however, many applicants don’t realize that letters of recommendation can be the deciding factor in the admission process.  As a continuation of the previous blog, 5 Tips for Recommendation Letters,…

Read More

Preparing for Graduate School: Explore a Variety of Subjects

Published: 27 December 2017
Written by Administrator
No comments
Categories: Academic Success, Preparing for Grad School
Tags: grad school advice, grad school prep, grad schoolmajors and minorsgrad school prep, majors and minors

Deciding to seek a graduate degree is a major commitment of time and money, and not everyone has a clear understanding of what he or she wants career-wise. Without a clear goal, going to graduate school could end up being a waste of your efforts as applying to graduate school involves: requesting letters of recommendation, requesting transcripts, taking the GREs/MATs/GMATs, and writing a personal statement. Additionally, many prospective graduate students…

Read More

Start 2018 Off Strong: Self-Care in the New Year

Published: 27 December 2017
Written by Rene M. Paulson
No comments
Categories: blogs
Tags: grad school, grad school advice, procrastination, Rene Paulson, resolutions, self-care

It’s the end of December, meaning it’s almost time to take down the holiday decorations and get back to the grind.  What is your reaction when New Year’s comes around?  Do you see it as a fresh start, or as just another passing year?  Whether you look forward to New Year’s or would rather not be reminded that you’re another year older, for me—and…

Read More

Pros and Cons of Getting a Master’s before a Doctorate, Part 2: The Pros and Cons of a Master’s Degree

Published: 9 November 2017
Written by Rene M. Paulson
No comments
Categories: blogs
Tags: grad school, grad school advice, grad students, masters degree, phd, Rene Paulson

Is the time and money of a master’s worth it? If you are considering going to graduate school, you are most likely pondering which degree to get. There are pros and cons to earning a master’s degree before pursuing a doctorate. Master’s degrees are more career-oriented and doctoral degrees focus more on research. If all you want is a raise, pursuing a doctorate is probably not the…

Read More

Pros and Cons of Getting a Master’s Before a DoctoratePart 1: What’s the Difference?

Published: 22 September 2017
Written by Rene M. Paulson
No comments
Categories: blogs
Tags: grad school, grad school advice, grad school help, masters degree, phd, Rene Paulson

Are you ready for graduate school? As a potential applicant to graduate school, you have quite a few decisions ahead of you. If you are considering a graduate degree, you might wonder what the differences are between the Master’s and Doctorate, or which one is right for you. When you enroll in a graduate degree program, be prepared for a different experience from undergrad. Eddie Machek describes the three…

Read More

How to Deal with Grad School Competition

Published: 6 July 2017
Written by Rene M. Paulson
No comments
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…

Read More