There is a myth that since you have completed an undergraduate degree, you should automatically know how to navigate graduate school. That myth is false. Adjusting to graduate school can be stressful and challenging for some students. Some may be adapting to a new city and a university setting; others may also be balancing different and multiple responsibilities (e.g., working full-time, being a TA, or taking care of family responsibilities) than before. Not to mention, the workload and academic requirements will be more demanding. Additionally, while some graduate students may be attending class in-person, many are now completing their degrees on-line. With each studentsβ unique experience in mind, adjustment to graduate school will likely go beyond the very first day of your journey. In fact, adjustments might occur at the start of every semester, whether it is your very first one or your final year in the program.
Here are some helpful ways to adjust to graduate school:
Take Your Time
Explore and Learn Your Surroundings
Set Your Priorities or Goals
Learn About Your Resources On Campus
Get To Know Your Advisor/Department Personnel
Connect With Other Graduate Students
Visit the Counseling Center's Graduate Student Experiences webpage for more information!
