1. On Being a Successful Graduate Student
THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
On Being a Successful Graduate Student

2. Graduate School: Not just more years of college!
The Undergraduate
Student
Breadth over depth
Recipient of knowledge
Externally directed
The Graduate
From apprentice to expert
Depth over breadth
Analyzer and creator of knowledge
Self-directed

3. What is the Purpose of Graduate Study?
The primary purposes of research-oriented, thesis-based Master’s programs (e.g., MA & MSc) are:
To understand thoroughly and think critically about what is known in a particular academic field
To learn how to conduct research in that field (and perhaps prepare for PhD study)
To begin affiliating with the academic community of the field

4. What is the Purpose of Graduate Study?
The primary purposes of professional Masters programs (e.g., MEd, MArch, MEng, MPT, MLIS) are:
To understand thoroughly and think critically about what is known in a particular professional field
To master skills (including research / experimentation) that are necessary for advanced practice in a particular professional field
To enhance affiliation with the professional community of the field

5. What is the Purpose of Graduate Study?
The primary purposes of Doctoral study (e.g., PhD) are:
To master the knowledge of a specific academic field – and become prepared to teach that knowledge at the university level
To make an original contribution, through research, to the knowledge within a specific field (i.e. “create new knowledge”)
To establish oneself as an expert and leader within the academic community of the field

6. Why Graduate School?
1,914,438
595,478
2,907,904
Doctoral / Professional Degree
1,318,960
139,009
2,312,426
Master's Level Degree
1,179,951
645,835
2,173,417
4-Year Degree
534,116
65,203
1,527,582
2-Year Diploma or Degree
468,913
164,063
1,462,379
Some College but No Degree
$ ,850
$ 304,850
1,298,316
High School Graduate
$ ,466
No High School Diploma
Accumulated Payoff
Incremental Payoff
Lifetime Earnings
Education Level
1,179,951
139,009
595,478
Source:   US Employment Policy Foundation's analysis of March 2003 Current Population Survey data

7. Keys to Success in Graduate School
What kinds of challenges might graduate students encounter?
Different expectations for a grad student
Lack of direction (e.g., the never-ending thesis)
Feeling isolated or unsupported
Difficulties with supervisor, other students, etc.
Anxiety about getting through successfully
Funding constraints or financial difficulties
Unexpected personal problems or conflicting life commitments

8. 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
1. Be proactive – take responsibility for your own grad school experience
Think about what you really want from graduate school, and identify opportunities to attain those goals
Continue the mental transition from being told what to do, to deciding what to do
Don’t wait for faculty members to come to find you – take the initiative to build relationships

9. 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
2. Establish positive relationships with your supervisor and members of your committee
Schedule regular meetings with your entire supervisory committee – at least once a year
Have a clear purpose for each meeting, and communicate the agenda in advance to your supervisor / committee
Follow up on items discussed in meetings – keep your supervisor informed of your progress and challenges
Act as a “junior colleague” – ask questions, advance ideas, show interest and support for shared goals

10. 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
3. Embrace your academic community
Seek input and collaboration from faculty members and your peers – don’t isolate yourself
Attend optional seminars and lectures within and beyond your program or department
Attend and present at conferences
Begin thinking of yourself as a member of your profession and academic field

11. 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
4. Know your program requirements and timelines: Masters students
Your program may require any or all of the following:
Coursework
Comprehensive or qualifying exams
A research thesis or major project
Public presentation and/or defense of thesis or project
UBC Graduate Policy states that:
Masters students must complete all degree requirements within 5 years of enrolment

12. 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
4. Know your program requirements and timelines: Doctoral students
Your program may require that you do coursework
Doctoral programs will require that you:
Develop and gain approval for a research proposal
Pass a comprehensive exam
“Advance to Candidacy”
Complete a research thesis (dissertation)
Defend the thesis at a Doctoral Oral Examination
UBC Policy states that Doctoral Students:
Should advance to candidacy within 2 years, and must within 3 years
Should complete all degree requirements within 5 years of enrolment and must within 6 years

13. 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
5. Create and follow an annual plan
Use UBC’s upcoming CV template as an annual guide to:
Track your specific program requirements (e.g., courses taken, comprehensives, research, thesis, etc.)
Schedule meetings with your supervisor and committee
Publish articles and produce patents, copyrights, artistic works, performances, designs, etc.
Attend conferences and make presentations
Apply for fellowships, scholarships, and research grants
Take professional development courses

14. 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
6. Bring a professional approach to your studies and interactions
Key skills: organization, preparedness, collegiality, budgeting
Take workshops through the Faculty of Graduate Studies’ Professional Development Initiative (PDI) or UBC’s Teaching and Academic Growth (TAG)
Learn about research ethics and scholarly integrity
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15. 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
Research ethics and scholarly integrity All UBC researchers are required to:
Give proper recognition to those who have made intellectual contributions to the content of your publication; refrain from representing others’ academic work as one’s own (this is plagiarism)
Conform to UBC requirements for working with humans, animals, biohazards, radioisotopes, and the environment (these need Research Ethics Board approval)
Use scholarly and scientific rigor in obtaining, recording, and analyzing data, and in reporting results
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16. 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
7. Seek balance and support in your life
Remember that you have friends and family outside grad school
Seek out the many resources at UBC that can help you through the tough times
Remember that this will be among the most inspiring and satisfying times in your life
And, because your mother isn’t here: “Get enough sleep, make time for physical exercise, and eat your veggies!”
Recognize that researchers before you have correlated adequate sleep, exercise, and healthy diets with critical analysis, innovation, and economy of effort

17. Summary: Your 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
1. Be proactive – take responsibility for your own grad school experience
2. Establish a positive relationship with your advisor/supervisor and the members of your supervisory committee
3. Embrace your academic community
4. Know your program requirements and timelines
5. Create and follow an annual plan
6. Bring a professional approach to your work and interactions
7. Seek balance and support in your life