I am almost at the finish line, two years and two months after starting graduate school. From the day I started my master’s program, I fantasized about this moment, but now that I am here, I find myself reflecting on the last two years. While there are plenty of joyous memories, such as travelling to present my research, meeting other aspiring scientists, and learning about their projects, there are also moments where I remember feeling confused, lost, and defeated. And I know that I am not alone.
Graduate school is the ultimate stress test. It requires balancing research, academics, teaching, working, and a social life. Not to mention that this usually occurs during a critical phase of life, which for many includes moving away from home, deciding on a career path, grieving losses, accepting change, and discovering independence. Suffice it to say, existential feelings are to be expected. Ultimately, I overcame those moments of confusion and defeat, where I felt like I was facing an impossible challenge, and now I am out on the other side. If you are a new graduate student reading this or even a seasoned graduate student facing trouble, I hope that some of this advice can help you throughout your journey.
Start writing now (for thesis-based programs). Whether you are one month or one year into your program, start writing! Finished conducting an experiment in the lab? Great! Take that protocol and put it in your Material and Methods section. Just read a paper that will provide a lot of background for your introduction? Excellent! Make a document summarizing the key points relevant to your research. Got some results? Spectacular! Start writing them up for your Results and Discussion section. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but having that information written down somewhere is a big help. I started writing four months before the end of my program, and yes, I got it done, but I was essentially a hermit for those four months. I did not leave my house, I did not hang out with my friends, and I stayed up all night. From experience, I do not recommend it. If you start early, you will thank yourself later.
Face the unknown. It is essential to take on challenges even when you feel unprepared or uncomfortable. In life, we can never be fully prepared for anything. That may seem like a scary reality at first, but it is actually a good thing. Dealing with unexpected situations and making it out on the other end builds self-confidence and prepares you to handle similar challenges in the future. Facing the unknown builds resilience and self-esteem and allows you to stay calm under pressure. These skills are fundamental in life, and you will have plenty of opportunities to work on them during graduate school. So when you encounter a scary or new situation, take a deep breath and dive in head first!
Understand responsibility. Oftentimes, there are things that we can control and things we cannot control. For example, finishing an experiment and realizing it disproves your hypothesis. Ouch, that stings, but that is out of your control. On the other hand, conducting your experiments carefully and ensuring your work is accurate is within your control. Getting caught in a tornado of work, where you have to finish two experiments, mark 100 exams, and study for your courses all in the same week, is not something you can control. However, getting organized, creating a schedule for completing your tasks, and discussing expectations with your supervisor are within your control. During my program, I often felt responsible for things I could not control, which added unnecessary stress on top of everything else. Figuring out what is and isn’t in your control and taking responsibility for what you can change can be a game changer during your graduate studies.
Accept failure and imperfection. In my previous blog post about dealing with imposter syndrome, I talked about accepting failure. This was really difficult for me. I have always been a perfectionist, and while that may sound like a positive trait, it is not. As a perfectionist, I was overly self-critical and afraid of trying new things for fear of failure. At one point, I thought that I would rather the world end than have my experiment fail because my experiment failing would feel like the equivalent of the world ending. And yes, you guessed it: that experiment did indeed fail, and I had to repeat it. But since I am here writing this, that means the world, in fact, did not end. Go figure. After that, I realized that making mistakes and failing is okay. It’s more than okay, it is expected. No matter how careful you are or how many times you read over a protocol, you will make a mistake, and I have no doubt that your supervisor already knows this. We are human, after all. Accept failure with grace and try again.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. This is one that you probably hear all the time, but it is really solid advice. Your senior lab mates did not learn everything they know through osmosis; they most likely asked for help from their seniors. Your supervisor didn’t become an expert in their field all on their own; they most certainly got some help along the way. Whether you are trying to learn a new experimental technique or are unsure about some of the theoretical parts of your project, don’t be afraid to ask for help. The worst someone could say is “no,” and if they do, it may be because they are busy or don’t know the answer to your question. And that’s okay; in those situations, you just have to ask someone else. This also extends to your well-being; if you find yourself struggling mentally, ask for help! There are plenty of resources for you to take advantage of. https://www.mun.ca/sgs/current-students/resources-for-graduate-students/
Take breaks. If you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed or nearing burnout, ask for a break. That could mean completely stepping back from the laboratory or computer for a while, or just putting a specific task on the backburner. Taking a break for a week and coming back refreshed can lead to higher productivity than not taking any breaks and struggling to keep up with work.
And that summarizes the bulk of my advice. At least, the advice that is universally applicable (but if you find yourself struggling with PCR, feel free to reach out!) However, there is one thing I have been saving for the end as a take-home message, and that is to enjoy your time in graduate school. It is easy to get caught up in the stress of it all, especially when you are feeling flustered or overwhelmed, but at the end of the day, graduate school is an amazing opportunity that many people do not get. It is a privilege to receive higher education, which I often forgot during my studies. So take time to cherish these moments because the time will slip by faster than you can imagine. Be present, be grateful, and enjoy! I wish you all the best.
-Signed, a nearly finished graduate student.