Tips for Grads

Goal setting for the new year is a crucial process for graduate students, providing a roadmap for personal and academic growth. As individuals pursuing advanced degrees, graduate students often face unique challenges, ranging from research demands to work-life balance. Setting clear and realistic goals can empower them to navigate these challenges.

The end of the semester can leave graduate students feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, even after grades are in. And with holidays approaching it can feel like there’s simply not enough time to breathe. Before we start thinking ahead to what’s next, take this opportunity to check back in, rest, and give back.

It can be easy to get lost in the ocean of literature and stressful to both synthesize and critique scholarship, especially when you’re short on time. Here are some essential tips to help you avoid time wasters and provide structure so you can be proud of your next literature review.

Research papers are often required and can be valuable opportunities to deepen your understanding of your field or topic, contribute to a larger body of knowledge, and develop essential skills for future careers in academia, industry, or other research-intensive professions. These tips aim to help demystify the process of completing a research paper by focusing on some of the subtleties of planning.

You may be familiar with several benefits the libraries at UW offer, such as access to newspapers, interlibrary loans (that are very quick!), and the graduate study and presentation practice space at Memorial Library. We were curious about what other offerings the 40+ campus libraries could bring, especially to grad students.

When was the last time you tapped into the professional development (PD) resources offered at UW?

A 2022 study on PhD alumni discovered that the best time to take advantage of these opportunities is at the beginning stages of your program.

Every graduate student should take advantage of the opportunities available to them to supplement their training while at UW–Madison. Beyond Graduate School is a professional development program designed especially for master’s students in any discipline.

In this article, we will explore some lesser-known networking strategies that you can implement right now, at any stage of your grad career, even if you aren’t actively job searching. Building a network takes time, so the earlier you start, the more practice you get, and the more opportunities can come your way.

It’s fall in Madison! For us grads, that means lovely changing leaves and midterms. If you find yourself rushing, being late, procrastinating, under or oversleeping and eating, isolating, feeling frustrated, or altogether avoiding preparing, you may benefit from some extra attention to time management.

Grad students at any stage will often run into situations in research, coursework, or job searching where they may feel stuck or unsure of how to proceed. When these instances arise, try these tips for creative problem-solving to help you generate new ideas, see more options and alternatives, and focus on your next steps.