Fiza Arshad

Are you an undergrad in the final years of your program? Have you been wondering about what to do next? Look no further – help has arrived. Sounds cliche, right? I am sure you have explored all of your options online. There are multiple self-help guides, personal blogs, and consultants on the internet.

What I would like to add, to the heaps of information already at your fingertips on the web, is some perspective and provide a few tips based on my experience.

Luck Matters

There is a lot of competition to get into graduate school. Sudents are competing for the same experiences, same labs, and similar programs. Those who have had parents, friends, or family go through higher education know the system and have the soft skills ready to approach professors. Others who do not have a similar reach, or a mentor, learn through trial and error.

So, yes, luck matters. The lucky ones may be the first to get a break. But, keep trying. The resilient and persistent always make it through sooner or later.

Peer Pressure is Expensive

Around you, you may notice your friends or peers taking the next steps. Knowing what they want, sharing success stories, offloading failures, or planning a gap year to travel. If you are at crossroads about what you want, take it slow and go with the flow. Don’t get pressured into making a choice or, even more important, the wrong one.

Education is expensive, but so is your health and time. Graduate school can be a tough pill to swallow if you do not have the passion or motivation to see it through. Take the time that you need to explore programs and cities. Do your research!

Know Your Circle

Ever heard of the idioms, “once bitten, twice shy”, or “never trust a man with two first names”? Don’t overshare your successes or sell your failures. Know who to talk to, when to approach them, and what to share.

It’s better to ask for help early on, instead of waiting for the egg to hatch. Maybe it will work out or maybe it won’t. But, with the application timeline, it’s acceptable to get a second pair of eyes on your statement of interest after you have to written it. Don’t trust the wrong person or get too many people involved in the writing process. Listen to the voice in your head and trust your gut.

Prepare for a marathon

Graduate school applications are the tip of an iceberg. Yes, there are GREs to ace and stellar statements to write. Lab projects to do, research papers to write. Extracurriculars, midterms, essays, and exams. The list is endless. And the deadlines are homegrown.

And it stays that way once you get into graduate school. So do not burn yourself on your journey to get into a program. Once in the program, do not try to do it all. Know your limits and draw boundaries. Say no if you have too much on your plate and plan downtime to relax. You are in for a marathon: don’t tire yourself on a sprint.

* this post was written by me. If you need professional help with research statements, you can contact me.