The first year of grad school can be horrible, or it can be pleasant. We’d like to hope it will be the latter for the new cohort. A list of insider tips have been compiled to help the first years with their new graduate school life. Please consider these tips seriously as these are things we second years wish we knew and things that worked for us during that initial year of pure joy.
As you can see, there are some tips that overlap a bit, but that means those are very important! Enjoy your first year in graduate school! :)
- Make a Facebook page for your cohort. You can ask questions, share links, and post helpful documents.
- Talk to the 3rd years for practical classroom advice. They are a wealth of knowledge!
- Manage your time.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff.
- Go to every SPSA event.
- Get a roll cart for Morrison’s test kits. Dragging those things across campus ruins your day.
- Find kids early for Dr. Morrison’s class.
- Test your kids for Dr. Morrison’s class ASAP.
- Stay on top of your psych reports. Follow Dr. Morrison’s suggested due dates.
- Make study groups, especially for tests.
- Divide the readings and create outlines to share with everyone.
- Start Morrison’s work early! It’s easy to put it off, but it gets overwhelming near the end!
- Don’t be afraid to ask 2nd or 3rd years questions.
- Plan ahead.
- Start assignments as early as possible.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions, especially in Dr. Morrison’s class.
- Don’t wait to the last minute to find and test kids.
- Buy a planner (preferably one with the full month view) and write everything down.
- Parking is crazy, so give yourself plenty of time.
- Try to pack your dinner and snacks. Your purchases at the Beach Hut can add up.
As you can see, there are some tips that overlap a bit, but that means those are very important! Enjoy your first year in graduate school! :)