On Being a

Successful
Graduate
Student
THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
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
What is the Purpose of
Graduate Study?
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
The primary purposes of research-oriented, thesis-
based Masters programs (e.g., MA & MSc) 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
The primary purposes of professional Masters
programs (e.g., MEd, MArch, MEng, MPT, MLIS)
are:
What is the Purpose of
Graduate Study?
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
The primary purposes of Doctoral study (e.g., PhD)
are:
What is the Purpose of
Graduate Study?
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
$ 304,850 $ 304,850 1,298,316 High School Graduate
0 0 $ 993,466 No High School Diploma
Accumulated
Payoff
Incremental
Payoff
Lifetime
Earnings
Education Level
Source: US Employment Policy Foundation's analysis of
March 2003 Current Population Survey data
Why Graduate School?
1,179,951
139,009
595,478
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
Keys to Success
in Graduate School
What kinds of challenges might graduate students
encounter?
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
Dont wait for faculty members to come to find you
take the initiative to build relationships
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
7 Keys to Success
in Graduate School
3. Embrace your academic community
Seek input and collaboration from faculty members
and your peers dont 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
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
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
7 Keys to Success
in Graduate School
UBC Policy states that Doctoral Students:
Should advance to candidacy within 2 years, and must within 3 years
Advance
to
Candidacy
Complete a research thesis (dissertation)
Defend the thesis at a Doctoral Oral Examination
Should complete all degree requirements within 5 years of
enrolment and must within 6 years
5. Create and follow an annual plan
Use UBCs 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
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
UBCs Teaching and Academic Growth (TAG)
Learn about research ethics and scholarly integrity
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 ones 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
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 isnt 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
7 Keys to Success
in Graduate School
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
3. Embrace your academic community
2. Establish a positive relationship with your advisor/supervisor
and the members of your supervisory committee
1. Be proactive take responsibility for your own grad school
experience
Summary:
Your 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School