Graduate school is fundamentally different from any previous undergraduate experience. Undergraduate work focuses on introducing students to a discipline. It also provides students the tools to critically assess information, ideas and approaches. Typically, the work consists of a lot of memorization and repetition. Lastly, undergraduate education is designed to assist students with honing communication skills so their ideas can be clearly conveyed to others.
As students advance into graduate-level studies, their academic discipline may be similar, but the requirements for success are different. Graduate students are expected to have a greater level of academic maturity, which includes strong research, critical thinking and writing skills. Here are some important tips all graduate students should know:
In addition to adopting these behaviors, it’s critical that students apply them consistently throughout their academic career. Remember, graduate students are creating and enhancing a personal portfolio of research, projects and discourse. All of these can help the student to build a positive reputation among his or her professors and peers. And many of the skills students master in graduate school are universally valued, which means they can be carried into their careers.
This article concludes Patricia Campbell’s two-part series on graduate school for adult students. To read the first part, please click here.
Author Perspective: Administrator
