{"id":220,"date":"2017-11-29T12:00:01","date_gmt":"2017-11-29T18:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.tntech.edu\/graduate\/?p=220"},"modified":"2017-11-29T12:00:01","modified_gmt":"2017-11-29T18:00:01","slug":"12-grad-school-survival-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.tntech.edu\/graduate\/2017\/11\/29\/12-grad-school-survival-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Grad School Survival Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.tntech.edu\/graduate\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2017\/07\/12-Grad-School-Survival-Tips.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-221\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.tntech.edu\/graduate\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2017\/07\/12-Grad-School-Survival-Tips.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"362\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.tntech.edu\/graduate\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2017\/07\/12-Grad-School-Survival-Tips.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.tntech.edu\/graduate\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2017\/07\/12-Grad-School-Survival-Tips-300x136.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.tntech.edu\/graduate\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2017\/07\/12-Grad-School-Survival-Tips-768x348.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.tntech.edu\/graduate\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2017\/07\/12-Grad-School-Survival-Tips-696x315.jpg 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/h1>\n<h1><strong><em>Grad school isn\u2019t easy, and it\u2019s definitely not the same for everyone.<\/em><\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sometimes it seems like you\u2019re the only person in the world experiencing the pressure that you\u2019re under. However, you are not alone, and in fact, many students have gone through very similar experiences to yours in the past. That\u2019s why, in order to help current grad students, past students have compiled a list of great tips for surviving grad school. No matter what year you are, utilize these tips to get through graduate school successfully.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h2><b>Stick to a budget.<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This tip is likely not all that difficult to follow if you\u2019re a regular graduate student. But, when you do score some extra cash (for whatever reason) try your best to put it towards paying your bills, savings or paying off loans and interest.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Because, chances are, you\u2019ll want to have a splurge session and, quite honestly, we don\u2019t blame you. It really is in your best interest to pay off your debt!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h2><b>Remember that you\u2019re never alone.<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Deciding to take on graduate school is a scary task but, remember, you\u2019re not alone. You\u2019re not the only one who has decided to take on this lifestyle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In fact, you may not be the only one questioning, \u201cWhy on earth did I decide to take on this lifestyle in the first place?\u201d Heck, there could be support groups for students like you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">So, take solace in the fact that you, friend, are not alone!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h2><b>Pay off interest when you can.<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You\u2019ll be in a much better spot with as little interest accumulated as possible. It\u2019s difficult, but pay off as much interest as you\u2019re able. Your future self will be eternally grateful.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h2><b>Let yourself be a student.<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Repeat: I am a grad student. I am learning. I will make mistakes. Seriously, don\u2019t be so hard on yourself. What you\u2019re doing is seriously admirable and really difficult. The world really isn\u2019t going to come to an end if you make a mistake, we promise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h2><b>Utilize tax breaks.<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As a graduate student, you qualify for unique tax breaks that you should utilize.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For example, the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit can allow students thousands in tax breaks annually!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h2><b>Make the most of your resources.<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are a lot of resources provided to students like you. You just need to: <\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Find out what they are. <\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Utilize them.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Refer to your professors, go to their office hours and ask the right questions. When in doubt, refer to number eight on this list!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h2><b>Apply for free money!<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">By this, we mean grants and scholarships! There are so many financial resources available to graduate students on sites like, ahem, Fastweb, so apply, apply, apply! Remember, applying is pretty much a numbers game and the more you apply, the better your chances of winning are. Apply for all you qualify for to maximize your odds of winning.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h2><b>Never forget you have an advisor.<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your advisor is there to help with any questions you may have regarding programs, research, faculty issues, etc. Don\u2019t forget about this important person you should have on speed dial! If your advisor doesn\u2019t have an answer for you, he or she will be able to point you in the right direction of the contact who will.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It\u2019s even advisable to set up a regular meeting with your advisor to check in and see how things are progressing for you. So many students neglect to do this. Think about it this way, you\u2019re paying for their services indirectly, so why not utilize them?<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h2><b>Select work you\u2019re passionate about.<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You can\u2019t devote hours on end to learning and working on something you can\u2019t stand. It\u2019s as simple as that. You\u2019ll grow tired of it and simply won\u2019t put forth the endless effort that it takes to get through days and nights of studying and working towards a goal. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bottom line: pick something you absolutely live and breathe so that you can live with your decision.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h2><b>Take time to experience life, even if it\u2019s just for a moment.<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Through your courses and your difficult curriculum, try to take time to experience life as well. You\u2019ll see glimpses of life through meeting others, getting to know professors, chatting with baristas or petting someone\u2019s puppy on the street.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These may seem like pretty lame experiences and, quite frankly, they are but they\u2019re little slices of life to help you get through even the darkest of days.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h2><b>Always remember the light at the end of the tunnel.<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Never forget that through all of your pain and hard work \u2013 there is an end to a means. Grad school doesn\u2019t last forever and, with every moment, you\u2019re getting closer and closer to the light at the end of the tunnel!<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h2><b>Relax when you\u2019re able.<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Yes, we know \u2013 easier said than done. At the rare moments when you have a free moment, try your hardest to relax. Take a deep breath, take a bath and do whatever you need to do to just, you heard us, relax!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Source: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fastweb.com\/college-search\/articles\/the-12-grad-school-survival-tips\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">https:\/\/www.fastweb.com\/college-search\/articles\/the-12-grad-school-survival-tips<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Grad school isn\u2019t easy, and it\u2019s definitely not the same for everyone. Sometimes it seems like you\u2019re the only person in the world experiencing the pressure that you\u2019re under. However, you are not alone, and in fact, many students have gone through very similar experiences to yours in the past. That\u2019s why, in order to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,9,12,10],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-220","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-advice","7":"category-life-of-a-grad-student","8":"category-resources","9":"category-tips"},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tntech.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/220","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tntech.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tntech.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tntech.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tntech.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=220"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tntech.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/220\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tntech.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=220"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tntech.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=220"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.tntech.edu\/graduate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=220"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}