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11 Things I Learned In Graduate School

Mary DeGuzman

Dec 12, 2016

Stillwater, OK

239

Mary L. DeGuzman

This past semester was my first semester of graduate school and if you are thinking about graduate school, or are about to start, here are some things that I have learned throughout these five months.

Enjoy!

1. Time Management:

During this semester you will be swamped with papers, tasks, meetings, grading, researching, and going to class, which means that managing your time is essential.

2. Communicate:

Whether you are communicating with your professor, your students, or your peers, communication is needed in order to make anything go smoothly during this time.

3. Be Patient:

During these times, being patient is a crucial trait to have, because every task will take time and tedious, so being patient will make everything better.

4. Don't Freak Out:

There were many times, when I was frantic and I lost my composure, but being calm in all those situations made it a million times better.

5. Double Check Your Work:

Always, always, ALWAYS DO THIS before you do anything.

6. Always Ask Questions

Asking questions will only help you during these times. There are no stupid questions. The more questions, the better.

7. Be Vocal

Now this means to always let your professors know where you are in your program. They will have to keep up with your progress within the progress, so always reach out to them and talk to them every day in every step within your program.

8. Get To Know Your Peers and Professors

There is something different about being in your graduate program that you have to speak to your peers and professors, so while you are talking with them, get to know them also.

9. Work Out

Working out is just a good idea. Endorphins are a great thing, and they make you happy.

10. Have A Support Group

Having a consistent support group that you can talk with and go to, to vent out about anything that is going on, will make your experience in grad school more sane.

11. Call Your Mom Every Day

Your mom, or any parent will want to hear everything that you have done this semester and that you have made it through your first semester! Also, because she loves you, talk to her.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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11 Things I Learned In Graduate School

1. Time Management:

2. Communicate:

3. Be Patient:

4. Don't Freak Out:

5. Double Check Your Work:

6. Always Ask Questions

7. Be Vocal

8. Get To Know Your Peers and Professors

9. Work Out

10. Have A Support Group

11. Call Your Mom Every Day

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All names should be "unisex names."

1. Communicating via email can be awkward.

2. Appointments usually accompany weird looks.

3. Introducing yourself to someone is never without a hitch.

4. You’ve probably thought about changing your name.

5. You’re often asked why you have the name you do.

6. You get excited when you meet someone of your gender with your name.

7. You feel awkward when you meet someone of the opposite gender with your name.

8. You’ve had someone say to you, “I knew a [your name], but they were [your opposite gender].”

9. You’ve heard a bad joke/pick-up line or two about your name before.

10. People are surprised when they see you.

11. You’re extra sensitive to other unique or unisex names.

12. You’ve fought with your parents about it.

13. All things considered, you’re happy your name makes you unique.

You know that all of these things apply to you. You'll just never tell.

I get it... I'm pale.

1. At least I can't lose you in a crowd!

2. Oh my goodness your skin is like glow-in-the-dark.

3. Can't you just get fake tan?

4. Do you tan or just burn?

5. Your kids are going to look like Casper the Friendly Ghost!

6. *holds arm against your arm* Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. *holds pale arm against another pale arm* Aw, at least you're darker than her!

8. I laid out by the pool almost every day over break!

9. I haven't used sunscreen since I was, like, five.

10. *adjusts selfie lighting to their face* Oops, where'd you go??

11. *after working out* Your face is SO red!

12. *wears white* Look! You're all one color!

13. You need to get some sun.

14. Aren't you excited for summer?

The struggle bus is real.

1. Child prodigies:

2. Hearing other musicians in the practice room next door and accepting that you will never be as talented as them:

3. That anxiety that takes over before every performance:

4. Taking a million 0 credit classes:

5. When there's a paper due the next day, but you have to attend yet another concert in order to pass a 0 credit class:

6. When your friends try to encourage you after a performance, even though you are criticizing everything in your mind:

7. Knowing that there's always that one professor during juries:

8. The oh-so-attractive band/choir uniforms:

9. Realizing that a college campus is maybe not the best atmosphere to finish your latest composition:

10. Hearing "Oh, you sing opera? I LOVE Phantom of the Opera!" for the hundredth time:

11. When people think finals week is a breeze for you.

12. When you're drowning in the stress that comes with 18+ credits (and not to mention all those 0 credit classes) and people ask you how you are:

13. When it all comes down to it, though, you know that at the end of the day, music is your passion:

Because you need it in your life.

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6. holds arm against your arm Look how much darker I am compared to you!

7. holds pale arm against another pale arm Aw, at least you're darker than her!

10. adjusts selfie lighting to their face Oops, where'd you go??

11. after working out Your face is SO red!

12. wears white Look! You're all one color!