You’re just at the start of something completely new: being a graduate student at Drexel University, ready for your first term here. But — now what?
It’s hard to know where to go or what to do at a new place, in a new role and among totally new people. That’s why DrexelNEWS asked Drexel faculty and professional staff members to share some advice for moving forward now that you’re here. They work closely with Dragons like you and welcome a new graduate student class every year — so you know their words of wisdom come from a tried-and-true place.
Read on to pick up some tips for adapting to your new personal, academic and professional life.
Adjusting to Life as a Grad Student
Graduate school is very different from the undergraduate experience. It is a time to take a deep dive into a specific area of interest. Make the most of your graduate experience by being engaged, asking questions and taking advantage of all the opportunities presented to you! — Anne Converse Willkomm, associate dean of the Graduate College and associate teaching professor in the Department of Communication in the College of Arts and Sciences
Life is not a straight line and sometimes things don’t go as planned. It’s okay. Student Life is here to support and guide you when life happens and things outside of your academics go off course. Book a meeting with the Student Life case manager [editor’s note: Amy Bevins] to get connected to resources and services. — Associate Vice President and Dean of Student Life Katie Zamulinsky, EdD
You’re not alone if you are a full-time student and are working a full-time job. But, you are going to need a new work-life balance. Be prepared for what that will look like now. And be sure to just give yourself a break! — Joseph H. Hancock II, PhD, program director of the MS Online Retail & Merchandising, professor in the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design and chair of the Graduate College’s Diversity Advisory Council
Making New Friends and Connections
Consider getting involved and participating in the Graduate Student Association or another graduate student organization. A full listing of Drexel’s involvement opportunities is available on DragonLink. Follow @dustudentlife on Instagram for information on student events and opportunities to connect with other Dragons. — Ashley Archer, director for student engagement, involvement and leadership in Student Life.
Whether you are online or in person, you can build community. Find a buddy. Expose yourself to new differences. Meet all new types of people — especially if you are an international student. — Joseph Hancock
Find community. This may seem kind of obvious, but in my experience, the students who find community early — peers within the program, folks in a graduate residence, people you volunteer with, etc. — are better able to handle the ups and downs of graduate school. They have people to share their accomplishments with, as well as folks to lean on when something goes wrong. Graduate school is kind of like life — it ebbs and flows, good days and bad days — so, it is best to position yourself to navigate those shifts with a strong community network. — Anne Converse Willkomm
Keeping Up with Graduate-level Academic Work
You should always meet with your academic adviser or your graduate adviser every term to check in and go over your schedule. In my program, I encourage students to meet with me every quarter, and the ones who do usually fly through grad school. When you’re meeting with your professor, make sure you ask them when they work and are available to meet, because their schedules might be different than yours. And don’t forget: your professors are people too! — Joseph Hancock
As a new graduate student, you don’t know what you don’t know. The best way to approach this is to communicate with your peers and your professors. Ask questions and get the lay of the land. Share your experiences, your thoughts and your concerns. Ask your professors questions about your classes and clarify expectations — don’t make assumptions! Ask your professors and more seasoned students about events, networking, internships, co-ops and career opportunities. — Anne Converse Willkomm
Taking Advantage of Professional Development Opportunities
Get on that LinkedIn page! Update your profile. Start networking now, both internally and externally. — Joseph Hancock
From Anne Converse Willkomm (who also writes the Professional Buzz professional development blog for the Graduate College):
Start thinking about that post-degree job NOW! This includes those students who are working full time while progressing toward that degree. There are several key ways to do this:
- Join professional organizations or societies relevant to your field of interest. This will open the door to potential networking opportunities, as well as help you stay on top of the most recent trends within that industry.
- Update and continue to curate your LinkedIn profile. I suggest finding someone in your field who has a robust page, study it and then look at your page — what is missing on your page? What can you add? What can you revise? And what should be removed? Keep adding relevant profile content as you progress through your degree. In addition, make an effort to post and repost relevant industry content on your page to start drawing attention. Finally, start connecting with folks in your industry to build your network and reach out to them through messaging to schedule informational interviews to learn more about the industry.
- Drop in for a résumé review session with Steinbright Career Development Center’s Senior Career Advisor, Ken Bohrer. Ken has regular office hours in the Graduate College where he meets with students to go over their résumés. He is very approachable and has great advice!