Frequently Asked Questions
We wanted to create a space to answer the most commonly asked questions during your time in this program! If your question was not addressed here, please don't hesitate to send us an email!
What are some good time management strategies? How do you stay organized?
Some good time management strategies to practice throughout your first year are planning ahead whether you use a physical planner or a digital planner to establish what your week will look like. Set daily and weekly goals for what you would like to accomplish regarding your assignments. It is crucial to develop healthy routines that allow you to practice self-care during your time in graduate school. Sectioning out the readings each week will help make the readings more digestible, and you can collaborate with your classmates to discuss topics that you need more clarification on. Furthermore, most of your courses will assign a final project that is due at the end of the semester and is it is better to work on small sections throughout the semester rather than sectioning the work into big chunks that may cause you to feel overwhelmed. It is also important to identify areas that you can dedicate less time to if you have deadlines approaching (e.g. watching TV for 30 minutes instead of an hour).
What are some good strategies to ease the transition back into school if you have taken time off?
To ease your transition back into school, you should focus on rebuilding the time management skills that made you successful during undergrad. It is also important to remember to develop healthy routines and habits that will help you during the ever busy schedule that you may have during your first year of graduate school. It would also be beneficial to get to know your cohort and see if anyone has similar experiences and see how they may be working through their own transition.
Is it possible to work during your first two years of the program? What types of jobs have students worked in while completing the program?
It is possible to work during the first two years of the program and many of the students in our cohort have either part-time or full-time jobs. To name a few of the positions some students work as graduate student assistants, paraprofessionals, school counselors, one-on-one aids, special educators, tutors, and substitute teachers. However, while it is possible to maintain a job it is important to keep in mind that as you progress through the program the intensity of the course work and expectations increase. During the third year of the program you will be expected to work an an intern for a school district which may interfere with your ability to maintain a part-time or full-time job so it is important to plan ahead given your individual circumstances.
What was the biggest challenge during our first year?
One common challenge that many of us experienced when starting our first year in the program was adjusting to this new, major life transition and working toward incorporating it into our daily routine. Since we attended school via a hybrid format, this was a new experience for many of our classmates. Several students in the program experienced unique challenges related to their family, relocating for school, and leaving their former jobs to find positions more suited to their new life as full-time graduate students. Many of our classmates have expressed that graduate school is a completely different experience compared to their undergraduate education. In light of this, we recommend evaluating your personal flexibility to determine how you can prepare and adapt to the changes of being a full-time graduate student.
Another common challenge many of us faced was learning how to develop effective time management skills. We recommend that you prioritize your school commitments and dedicate time in the day to tackle your readings and assignments. Many of the students completed homework on the weekends and would identify a space that helped them study such as the library, a local coffee shop, or even a quiet space in their own home. It is immensely helpful to build rapport with your cohort because you are all on this journey together. Pacing yourself through your time in graduate school and having a supportive network does wonders with reducing burnout and increasing your motivation!
Another common challenge many of us faced was learning how to develop effective time management skills. We recommend that you prioritize your school commitments and dedicate time in the day to tackle your readings and assignments. Many of the students completed homework on the weekends and would identify a space that helped them study such as the library, a local coffee shop, or even a quiet space in their own home. It is immensely helpful to build rapport with your cohort because you are all on this journey together. Pacing yourself through your time in graduate school and having a supportive network does wonders with reducing burnout and increasing your motivation!
Is there a particular class that is notoriously difficult or requires more time commitment to complete the course?
You will encounter challenging courses throughout the program. Many of our classmates have expressed that graduate school is a completely different experience compared to their undergraduate education. In light of this, we recommend evaluating your personal flexibility to determine how you can prepare and adapt to the changes of being a full-time graduate student. We recommend that you prioritize your school commitments and dedicate time in the day to tackle your readings and assignments. Many of the students completed homework on the weekends and would identify a space that helped them study such as the library, a local coffee shop, or even a quiet space in their own home. It is immensely helpful to build rapport with your cohort because you are all on this journey together. You will also have the opportunity to be paired with a second year mentor who can offer you guidance throughout these challenging courses. Pacing yourself through your time in graduate school and having a supportive network does wonders with reducing burnout and increasing your motivation!
What is the difference between Clinic and fieldwork?
The difference between clinic and fieldwork is that when you conduct assessments in the community clinic you will be on campus working with one client at a time whereas with fieldwork you will apply to a school district for practica and internship and complete multiple assignments throughout the day. Both of these experiences are an integral component of implementing theory to practice, and you will be supervised in both clinic and fieldwork in order to ensure you are completing your tasks correctly and receiving helpful feedback throughout the experience. The community clinic is located in ED2-155 and you will meet here to conduct psychoeducational assessments, provide counseling services, and much more associated with your course curriculum. SPSA will also host a fieldwork fair during your first year where school districts will present the highlights of completing your practica or internship with their district. You are allowed to complete your fieldwork only with approved fieldwork districts and community partners.
What is the difference between thesis and the comprehensive exam?
The difference between thesis and the comprehensive exam is that the thesis option allows you to conduct a research study that you will work on over the course of your program. You will have to submit a thesis proposal, and if selected you will then be required to form a committee for your thesis project. Once you complete your thesis and it is approved by your committee then you will defend your thesis in front of a board that is specialized in your research topic. Depending on your faculty advisor, your timeline for completion may vary. The comprehensive exam is an exam you will take that asks three questions which you will respond to in an essay format. Starting your first year you will begin taking courses that help you prepare for the comprehensive exam. Once you submit the comprehensive exam, your answers will be reviewed for accuracy, independent thinking, critical analysis, and appropriate organization.
What scholarships are available to current students at CSULB?
CSULB offers a variety of scholarships for students to apply for! More information on scholarships can be found here. Specifically, you can filter through Beach Scholarships to identify an application that may be of interest to you. In addition, you may have some general questions about applying for scholarships at CSULB and those answers can be found here. Furthermore, you can identify resources from the Graduate Student Resource Center (GSRC) which can provide different funding opportunities throughout your graduate experience. Lastly, there may be graduate assistantships which offer part-time positions that you can apply for and you will need to contact the appropriate department for those applications.
How do you practice self-care? HOw do you de-stress?
Self-care is essential during graduate school and it is vital for you to maintain these healthy practices in order to reduce burnout. As we navigate our educational journey, it is easy to spend more and more time dedicating yourself to your studies but it is also important to remember to take time for yourself. Our classmates have many different ways that they de-stress throughout the year such as hiking on weekends, yoga, baking, rock-climbing, dancing, running, and much more. The trick is to do the things you loved before you entered graduate school and find what balances you and grounds you when you begin to feel stressed or overwhelmed. Additionally, attending SPSA social events may help decrease stress as you connect with classmates and other cohorts outside of class. Experiencing stress, burnout, and other emotional states are all normal experiences, but if they begin to become overwhelming CSULB does offer counseling and psychological services.
How often does SPSA Host social events?
SPSA hosts social events a 2-3 times a semester! We are planning to have at least 1-2 events in the summer before your first year begins so that we can provide a space to ask any lingering questions and encourage you to form connections with your cohort. In the past, social events have included hikes, dinner events, holiday-themed celebrations, game nights, potlucks, beach days, yoga classes, and so many other fun events. We encourage all cohorts to attend which is a great time to ask questions, seek advice, bond with your mentor, and relieve some stress! If you have any social event ideas you would like to share we are always open to suggestions, just send us an email at [email protected].