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Grad Success

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    On Being a

    SuccessfulGraduateStudent

    THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

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    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 ofknowledge

    Self-directed

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    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:

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    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 aparticular 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?

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    To master the knowledge of a specific academic fieldand 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. createnew 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?

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    1,914,438595,4782,907,904Doctoral / Professional Degree

    1,318,960139,0092,312,426Master's Level Degree

    1,179,951645,8352,173,4174-Year Degree

    534,11665,2031,527,5822-Year Diploma or Degree

    468,913164,0631,462,379Some College but No Degree

    $ 304,850$ 304,8501,298,316High School Graduate

    00$ 993,466No High School Diploma

    Accumulated

    PayoffIncremental

    PayoffLifetimeEarnings

    Education Level

    Source: US Employment Policy Foundation's analysis of

    March 2003 Current Population Survey data

    Why Graduate School?

    1,179,951139,009

    595,478

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    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 SchoolWhat kinds of challenges might graduate studentsencounter?

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    1. Be proactivetake responsibility for your own

    grad school experience

    Think about what you really want from graduateschool, 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

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    2. Establish positive relationships with your

    supervisor and members of your committee

    Schedule regular meetings with your entire supervisorycommitteeat leastonce 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 meetingskeep yoursupervisor informed of your progress and challenges

    Act as a junior colleagueask questions, advance ideas,

    show interest and support for shared goals

    7 Keys to Success

    in Graduate School

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    3. Embrace your academic community

    Seek input and collaboration from faculty members

    and your peersdont 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

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    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

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    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

    AdvancetoCandidacy

    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

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    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

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    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

    >>>

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    Research ethics and scholarly integrityAll 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>>>

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    7. Seek balance and support in your life

    Remember that you have friends and family outside gradschool

    Seek out the many resources at UBC that can help youthrough the tough times

    Remember that this will be among the most inspiring andsatisfying 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

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    4. Know your program requirements and timelines

    5. Create and follow an annual plan

    6. Bring a professional approach to your work andinteractions

    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 proactivetake responsibility for your own grad schoolexperience

    Summary:

    Your 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School


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