Does support for graduate students exist?   Successful life as a graduate student depends on your ability to maintain balance between the various elements of your life, and often necessitates seeking out some support. If you are unable to maintain balance in your life as a graduate student, then you may face some negative consequences that could seriously hinder your academic success. These consequences may include (but are not limited…

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When graduate students think about balancing work and family, the first thing that comes to mind is often “Help!” In addition to academic relationships with professors, advisors, committees, and classmates, some students have to still make time for their spouses and children! To foster these academic relationships and to further their academic success, graduate students often neglect their interpersonal relationships with their families and friends. However, interpersonal relationships are just…

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Grad School Tips to Speed up the Process Writing a thesis or dissertation is a long and, at times, slow process. Given the daunting nature of such a task, it would make perfect sense that you would want it to go by quickly. There are many ways that you can speed up the process of writing your dissertation. For example, writing a little bit every day, maintaining a writing calendar,…

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An important part of surviving graduate school is having a strong relationship with your academic advisor. Whether your advisor is assisting you with the class selection process, reviewing your dissertation or thesis, or conflict resolution skills for your academic dispute, your advisor is vital to your career as a graduate student. Before you even start meeting or are assigned to an academic advisor, do some research about your graduate program…

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When you were an undergraduate, you were probably one of the most motivated and engaged students in all of your classes and had no problem balancing work and life. You probably received the highest grades and were chosen by your professors for leadership opportunities both inside and outside class. Your sense of responsibility, accountability, and perfectionism undoubtedly motivated your decision to pursue graduate studies and try your hand at balancing…

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As undergraduates, students most often interact with professors at a distance during classroom lectures; if professors and undergraduates do interact one on one outside classrooms, they typically do so in brief office visits or elevator conversations. Unlike undergraduate students, graduate students interact with professors much more often. Ideally, graduate students will develop close academic relationships with mentor professors, who can use their higher academic rank and knowledge to help students…

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Everyone in graduate school is stressed, and everyone in graduate school is competing for something. The stress and competition of graduate school inevitably leads to conflicts among professors, students, and those who support professors and students. Conflicts in graduate school have negative consequences for everyone: conflicts can damage mentor relationships between professors and students and can increase problems among peers. Although conflicts are bound to happen, you can learn how…

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