I Survived the First Year of Graduate School. Here’s What I Learned.

Why the First Year Matters beyond classes

I’m at the end of my first year, and I have much to reflect on. Most importantly, how a year filled with challenging courses (and simultaneously life-changing circumstances) shaped me into the researcher that I know I can be.

Perhaps more, I learned how and why the first year is seen as a defining time in a young researcher’s academic trajectory. Here are some of the valuable insights that I gained that may help you as you navigate the first year:

1. You could rough it alone, but why would you? Find your people.
2. Bragging about your intelligence is not the flex you think it is.
3. There is no such thing as a stupid question. Read that again.
4. Stipends barely increase overtime so start looking for funding now.
5. Office hours are both an opportunity to learn and show how dedicated you are to learning.
6. Teaching Assistants will be the MVPs of the course. Thank them often.
7. Studying with the “smartest” students doesn’t guarantee success…or peace of mind.
8. The only way to meet people outside of your cohort, program, or school is to go outside of your cohort, program, or school.
9. Failure does not define effort, it is only a reflection of what you may need to learn and improve upon.
10. Give your educators constructive feedback throughout the course.
11. Do not compare yourself to your classmates if you can help it.
12. Please go to therapy. Please go to the gym. Take care of your body.
13. Learn about the student union and other student protections.
14. Take a Sabbath every week (one day of absolutely no work).
15. Dump all information about graduate school into a document.
16. Find out if there are tutoring services and get them as early as you can.
17. Go to the cool things that happen on campus including the parties.
18. Be intentional about meeting faculty and students on and off campus.
19. Mentor someone somewhere who wants to do something similar to you.
20. Above everything, take care of you and the relationships that matter most.

At the end of the day, you are more than capable to do this graduate school thing. You have what it takes to succeed and thrive. Keep pushing and showing up for what convicts you. Good luck!