The upperclassman years of college are inherently busy. Add the pressures of applying to and deciding on graduate school, and you can imagine how easily some students become overwhelmed.
This transition is one that requires detailed planning, thought and prioritization. If you are a college junior or senior who is undergoing this overwhelming preparation process, check out this advice and reflections from current graduate school students on how they managed everything when they were in similar shoes.
When to Complete Application Tasks
Balancing undergraduate course work with graduate school applications can become a huge challenge in your weekly schedule. Taylor Streid, a third-year graduate student at Saint Louis University, says the key for her was setting aside completely different days to focus solely on graduate school tasks.
Get [tips and advice on applying to graduate school.]
“I would get overwhelmed if I tried to mix it with college homework, studying or classes, so usually a Saturday or Sunday was my focus on grad school day,” says Streid. “It just gave me time to specifically focus on that and helped me not get overwhelmed.”
University of Colorado–Boulder graduate student Leigh Null had heard about the lengthy application process from friends beforehand. This led her to set up a game plan early, as she started looking through application requirements and completing basic forms over the summer before her senior year. Once it did come time for her to fully complete the applications, she used a time management tactic that had worked for her with test prep in the past.
“I did this the same way as I approached studying for the GMAT,” says Null . “Take an hour or two each day and work on applications, versus trying to complete one or two entire applications in an evening.”
Deciding on a School
Choosing the right university for graduate school can often be about where you want to eventually start your career. Null says this was the case for her, as she was hoping to begin her professional career in the Denver or Boulder area.
Erica Cirino, a first-year graduate journalism student at Stony Brook University, had a relatively easier experience settling on a school, as she ended up only applying to and being interested in her undergraduate institution.
“As an undergraduate pursuing my B .A . degree in environmental studies, with a passion for writing, I knew that this unique and highly specialized program was the one I was meant to be a part of,” says Cirino . “Being that I could find no comparable programs elsewhere, Stony Brook University’s program was the only one to which I chose to apply.”
Check out the [U.S. News Best Graduate School rankings.]
Streid says she always knew she wanted to continue her education at Saint Louis University. She still noted some tips to help her make the decision, however.
“The advice I was given in applying for grad school was to create a list, write down the positives and negatives, and look at the cities they were in and what they had to offer as well,” Streid says. “You are going to be there for an extended period of time, so make sure it is a place that you can see yourself living in.”
Readying for the Actual Transition
Graduate school will involve a great deal of work, so it is never too early to start preparing for that environment. Cirino says she found it beneficial to review and organize her resume and academic materials in order to examine what she specifically wanted to accomplish with her graduate degree.
“It inspired me to stay dedicated, determined and confident in my studies and choice of graduate school and career path,” she says.
Learn about [three key ways college and graduate school differ.]
Cirino says she would advise current undergraduates to do the same.
“Re -evaluate the reasons why you are going to grad school and what you want to get out of it. Sketch out the realistic trajectory of your graduate education and future career,” she says. “You’ll help mentally prepare yourself for the challenges of graduate school.”
Other students may find it useful to simply make a little time for themselves before the big transition, as Streid did.
“I had heard that you are in classes all day — which for me, I was — and it is like a full-time job,” she says. “I knew that once I was out of grad school, I would have a full-time job, so I took that summer and gave myself a little ‘me time.'”
Nevertheless, the transition to graduate school can be simpler for some students than others. Null says she found the transition easy, crediting her program’s orientation and professors who made her feel welcomed.
“My best advice is you already earned one degree — you know what works for you in the work, life and school balance. Don’t stress!”
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Make the Transition From College to Graduate School originally appeared on usnews.com