College Student's Guide to Handling Graduate School

As I approach the last semester of my three years in graduate school, I must congratulate myself for not going completely insane since I entered the program. The finish line is fast approaching and since it is near, I can bluff and say that it was easy as one, two, three. However, on the scale of telling the complete truth, there are many things I would have done differently had this been my first year in graduate school. Sometimes I wonder if I should have took a little time off and worked to gain experience. Sometimes I wonder if the path I chosen will be the right one. It is important that I share my knowledge of this experience with others so that you first year scholars and college undergrad seniors do not make the same mistakes that I did.

Every department in college varies so I can only speak for those interested in earning a Master of Arts in Sociology. Nonetheless, my experiences can be related to graduate school as a whole, for many people will better understand that there is a distinct difference between undergrad and grad school.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PROGRAM FOR YOU: In my last semester of undergrad, I was very apprehensive about going further, but decided I was interested in learning about another topic. Some people like to go to different colleges for each of there degrees, but I decided to stay at the college I was receiving an undergraduate degree. I went to the website one day and went through every subject from A to Z. I narrowed the topics down from English to Women's Studies to Psychology to Sociology. I looked at their respective websites and asked questions of those in the department. Choosing the right program is important because you do not want to waste time or valuable money on the wrong academic program.

GRE: The GRE is similar to taking the ACT, which was a test needed to get into college. The GRE is a 4-hour comprehensive/essay type of test that really challenges all aspects of the brain. Because I was too piled up with work, I neglected to prepare correctly for the test and had to take it twice. This cost me over $100 so I suggest you get it right the first time. There are books to prepare, sessions, and tutors everywhere. The reason you want to get the best score possible is not only to get into the program of your choice, but be eligible for an assistantship as well. Assistantships are great because you are able to get an additional stipend along with a half or full paid tuition. Provisions are definitely made for college students in the areas of financial aid and grants. You do not want to find yourself having to take out a loan like some of us have (cough, cough).

NETWORKING: Becoming familiar with the faculty, admins, and other scholars in the department is something that you should delve in right off the bat. Find out what the academic interests of those around you. You'd be interested to find the diversity within one single department. Get to know people, because you will probably be spending a lot of time with them in the future. Find a few students that have been through a year of the program and really get their take on the whole process. Some will be truthful and some will conceal the bad parts but it is up to you to get some outlook on whats to come.

RESEARCH: If you are not familiar with search engines (academically inclined) like google scholar, extensive reading, or frequent trips to the library, then be sure that graduate school may not be for you. I can count the times I went to the library in undergrad, but after the first semester of grad school, I lost count. I have spent an inordinate amount of time in libraries all over Memphis - for research has been an integral part of my particular study. You come to appreciate what reading brings to the world though. You figure out ideas that you never thought of during undergrad. I suggest you brush up on your research skills and be prepared for thesis dissertations.

Overall, I know that a Master's degree is very valuable in this world today. Some organizations do not even blink at a Bachelor's degree, so getting your foot in the door is harder and harder. The competition for good jobs is increasing every day depending on the location you live in.