This past summer, Rackham interviewed 20 current graduate students from a variety of programs on a range of topics of interest to new and current students, including getting to know Ann Arbor and special advice for international students and students with children. These videos are available on the Rackham website along with other materials for new and current graduate students. Check them out and let us know what you think!
Getting Ready for Graduate School
As you prepare for graduate school, there are some important things to keep in mind. Graduate students explain how they think graduate school is different from their undergraduate experience, what they wish they would have known before coming to graduate school, and offer advice for new and prospective graduate students.
Settling Into Graduate School
Getting off to a good start once you have arrived will set you on a path for success in graduate school. An important step is to acclimate yourself to the resources of graduate school and to develop social relationships that can help you along your way. Graduate students offer their personal advice on what to do when you first arrive, how to identify a support system, how to develop a good relationship with your advisor, and how to find a mentor.
Getting to Know Ann Arbor
Becoming acclimated to your new place of residence can be just as important as adjusting to graduate school itself. Ann Arbor is an exciting place to live that offers something for everyone. Graduate students share their personal advice on what's unique about Ann Arbor, advice on how to get around town, living options, must-sees and must-dos in the area, and their favorite things about Ann Arbor.
Balancing Work and Life in Graduate School
Graduate school requires a significant amount of time and effort, which can sometimes make keeping your personal and academic life in balance difficult. Graduate students share their thoughts about why it can be challenging to maintain a work/life balance in graduate school, and offer advice and tips to keep things going smoothly. In addition, students discuss University resources to help you if you find that you need support to keep up with all of your responsibilities.
Advice for Students with Children
Graduate students with children are a vibrant part of the graduate student community at the University of Michigan. Their responsibilities and needs may differ from other graduate students, so the Rackham Graduate School strives to provide support and guidance for student parents. It is important to become connected to the many resources that are available for student parents on U-M's campus and to understand how parenting while in graduate school may present its own unique challenges. Graduate students with children offer their personal advice on what parenting is like as a graduate student, resources for students with children, and keeping a work/life balance as a graduate student.
Advice for International Students
International students are represented all across graduate programs at the University of Michigan. In addition to adjusting to the challenges of graduate school, international students often face the transition to a new culture. The International Center and the Rackham Graduate School provide a variety of support and guidance to ease this transition. Graduate students describe their experiences adjusting to a new culture, and offer advice on how to expand your network of friends, and to connect with the international community at the University of Michigan. In addition, students talk about the resources at the International Center and other good things for new international graduate students to know.
Disability at Graduate School
University of Michigan takes great pride in the academic and personal achievements of its many students with disabilities. The University is committed to providing equal and integrated access for students with disabilities.
Published in: Student Voices
Keywords: phd masters life grad parents cultural transition doctoral