Attending graduate school is a major accomplishment. If you recently received your acceptance letter, congratulations! If you’re in the thick of it, you’ve got this! If you’re no longer in graduate school, I’m hoping you have fond and pleasant memories. Wherever you are in your journey, please know you aren’t alone. When I received my first acceptance letter, I remember not knowing what to expect, and I was just along for the ride. Now that I’m completing my degree, I wish someone told me what to expect. Well, that’s what The Life Currency is here for! After polling our team and peers who are currently enrolled in a graduate program, we compiled a list of helpful tips that most won’t share. If you’re at the start of your journey, keep these tips in your back pocket:

1. “Make sure this field is the one you want to be in” 

Graduate school is great for furthering your career but don’t decide to enroll in a program because it’ll make everyone else happy. You are setting yourself up with a life that you know won’t bring you peace, and the debt you might accrue in the meantime may not be worth it.

2. “You will learn A LOT about yourself and about what you want/need in the future”

Becoming more self-aware can be an interesting journey. You might feel like you have it all figured out and the next minute you have no clue what’s happening. That’s normal and it’s okay. You will learn what it takes for you to operate at peak performance, and maybe you’ll learn more about your mental health or your desired work environment. 

3. “Define your boundaries EARLY because the behaviors you engage in at this stage will carry over into your professional life” 

You will be met with a new level of expectations while finishing your degree. Be sure to say yes to what matters and no to what doesn’t. Don’t get into the habit of saying yes to activities or positions just because it will look good on your resume or you will be better than your peers. Quiet as it’s kept, grad school is about YOU doing what YOU need to do to be successful and it can feel overwhelming if you’re just there to be better than your peers.

4. “Grad school is one of the best places to network” 

Networking is your best friend and allows you to make meaningful and lasting connections. Don’t shy away from the opportunity for a conversation. It doesn’t have to be a long discussion on the articles you read from class; it can be small and grow over the semester. If you are someone who’s hesitant to meet new people, I would suggest talking to a professor or two first about something interesting they mentioned in class. Networking is also a great way to learn about which professors or classes you might like best. Lastly, network with peers of other cohorts or degree programs if possible. Don’t stay in the program bubble.

5.“You might actually read less than you did in undergrad” 

If no one tells you, I will be the first: it is okay to not always have read every article, journal or textbook chapter assigned. I promise that it happens to the best of us. No one wants to be ill-prepared for class, but that is life. The readings can become overwhelming sometimes. If you can’t read each page in depth: SKIM. If you have a lot of research articles to read, remember to skim the article in this order: abstract (look for the big questions), conclusion, the results, and then the methods section.

6.“The fun doesn’t stop when you graduate from college”

You might have already heard the old saying, “college will be the best four years of your life.” I’ve always thought that was a lie. Fun and excitement is everywhere that you decide to make it or find it. I implore you to find excitement in your courses, your relationships and your day-to-day experiences.

7. “It’s okay to take longer than ‘most’ when completing your degree” 

Just because school can be fun doesn’t mean the nature of school changes as you progress. You still have to work hard and dig deep. It is okay if you realize that your vision of being a full-time student switches to attending school part-time. It’s okay if you realize that you aren’t ready to complete this degree at this moment of your life. Most programs have a protocol for students who will need more time to complete their degrees. 

8. “You’re never too old to go to grad school” 

I’ve sat next to classmates who are in their 60s learning the same information as I am. There is no age limit to learning. This also means that some of your peers may already work in the field, while some are switching careers entirely. No one is too late or too inexperienced to share their knowledge. Challenge yourself to get to know the peers who don’t fit into your demographics and who knows, those older students might become your favorite classmates!

9. “You will need a support system” 

Graduate school is best when you have a village to support you. No matter the size of your village, know that there will be times you want to quit or don’t believe that you deserve to be there—you do. As much as I want to say don’t believe those thoughts creeping in, remember those people who believe in you and want to see you achieve your dreams. Lean on your people when you’re not sure of your own strength.

10. “Be well-rounded” 

Graduate school can easily take over your life. Between reading papers, writing papers, looking for grants, working, or having a side hustle, you still have a life to LIVE. Make sure your week’s to-dos include activities that make you happy and bring you relaxation. 

11. “Graduate school doesn’t have to cost another mortgage” 

Especially if you aren’t working, there are ways to knock down your bill. Upon admission, be sure to ask about grants that the school offers that you might be eligible for. Look out for graduate assistantships, jobs on campus, work-study programs, applying for a job that offers tuition reimbursement, or start a side hustle. For example, I’ve seen peers turn their hobby of cooking into a weekend side hustle, or become professional dog walkers and house sitters.

Graduate school can be an eye-opening journey. There’s no one right way to get to the end. Every student has to find their path and take solace in knowing that no one has it all figured out. That’s okay! Be open to new possibilities, don’t be afraid to sit in the gray areas, and find a way to make it interesting.