blogs

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

Published: 27 December 2017
Written by Rene M. Paulson
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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…

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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
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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…

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10 Moments all Grad Students Know: Featuring illustrations from Jorge Cham’s PhD Comics illustrations

Published: 8 November 2017
Written by Rene M. Paulson
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Categories: blogs
Tags: grad school, grad students, phd, phdcomics, Rene Paulson, stress relief

Every grad student faces the pains and struggles that only we can understand. Sure, our lives may look beautiful to professionals in the real world or undergraduates; but what the outside world does not know is that is there is college, and then there is grad school. College is fun. Grad school is hard. Read the list below to get a laugh, relate, and realize that…

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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
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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…

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You Got Rejected…Now What?

Published: 11 July 2017
Written by Karina Donald
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Categories: blogs

The process of applying to graduate programs of your choice can be arduous.  Usually, the first step is to find programs and potential mentors/advisors in the program who are best suited for your research interests and career goals.  Then, time and money are spent on applications, getting transcripts, GRE test scores and reports, and trips to universities for interviews (unless the…

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How to Deal with Grad School Competition

Published: 6 July 2017
Written by Rene M. Paulson
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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…

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What No One Told Me about Graduate School

Published: 8 June 2017
Written by Rene M. Paulson
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Categories: blogs
Tags: grad school, grad school advice, grad school help, graduate school, Rene Paulson, what to expect

What I wish I knew There are things no one will tell you about your first year of graduate school, and the Internet is full of postgraduate “advice” from former and current grad students warning people to stay out of graduate school. Some advice: If someone tells you what they wish they would have done or known before entering…

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Kim’s Journey to Find her Purpose

Published: 16 May 2017
Written by Kim Linnear
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Categories: blogs
Tags: find purpose, pursue my PhD

Deciding to return to college after twenty years or more was a decision that did not come easy. I had a full-time job, three kids, a husband, I was contemplating becoming a dog owner, but not really thinking about returning to school to pursue my PhD. I am an avid learner,…

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Karina’s Path to Grad School

Published: 1 May 2017
Written by Karina Donald
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Categories: blogs
Tags: anxiety, career goals, graduate school, phd

My name is Karina.  I am in my second year of doctoral studies and enjoying the learning process.  Being in graduate school has been my dream from the first months of college.  There were many college professors who challenged me to grow and think outside of my immediate culture.  Some of them started controversial class discussions, taught concepts using performance art and others…

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