Skip to Main Content

Succeeding in Graduate School

These resources are geared towards graduate students, but provide useful information for all students.

Succeeding in Graduate School

Resources:

These resources will help you succeed in graduate school:

 

Successful Management:

Managing your time is critical for success in graduate school; these resources are designed to help you manage your time:

Reading lots, lots, and lots of scholarly literature is required in graduate school; these resources (videos) are designed to show you how to read faster:

Adapted from a list provided at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health LibGuide.

Why Grad School?

"Here is the only good reason to go to grad school. I am intellectually curious about a particular academic topic; I enjoy reading, thinking, writing, and researching about this topic and my motivation for studying this topic comes entirely from within. I understand that in order to gain further expertise in my chosen topic, I need to pursue a post-graduate degree. I hope to use this degree in order to land a job in an academic or applied environment that takes advantage of my expertise." 

(Adapted from Dr. Richard Lawler's "So You Want to Go to Grad School")

 

 COE - Characteristics of Postsecondary Students

People pursue graduate school for a mix of professional, intellectual, and personal reasons. Common motivations include:

1. Career Advancement

  • Many fields (e.g., academia, scientific research, psychology, social work, higher-level business or government roles) either require or strongly favor a graduate degree.

  • A master’s or PhD can open doors to higher salaries, leadership positions, or specialized roles.

2. Specialization and Expertise

  • Grad school allows students to focus deeply on a particular subject, often moving from broad undergraduate studies to highly specialized research or applied training.

  • This specialization can help them stand out in competitive job markets.

3. Research Opportunities

  • PhD programs, especially, are about creating new knowledge. Students who enjoy inquiry, discovery, or problem-solving may pursue graduate school to contribute original research in their field.

4. Professional Licensing or Credentials

  • Some professions require advanced degrees for licensure (e.g., law, medicine, clinical psychology, counseling, and higher education teaching).

5. Intellectual Curiosity

  • Some students pursue graduate studies simply because they love learning and want to delve deeper into a subject.

6. Networking and Professional Connections

  • Grad school often provides mentorship, professional networks, and connections that can shape future opportunities.

7. Personal Fulfillment

  • Beyond career, some individuals see graduate education as a personal goal, a way to challenge themselves, or a milestone of achievement.