Tips for being Successful in

Graduate School…

UNBC 2014

Dr. Kevin Smith Dean Graduate programs Dr. Stephen Rader Faculty MCPS - Biochemistry Dr. Ryan Howard Faculty Outdoor Recreation Tourism Management Dr. Tina Fraser Faculty School of Education Dr. Cindy Hardy Faculty Psychology Dr. Antonia Mills Faculty FNST Dr. Kristen Guest Faculty ENGL Dr. Titi Kunkel Faculty FNST Anne Sommerfeld Faculty SHSc Dr. Andrew Kitchenham Faculty Education Dr. Chris Johnson Faculty NRES GP Dr. Annie Booth Faculty NRES Chris Turner Student PhD NRES Titi Kunkel Student SLI, FNST; PhD NRES Stefanie LaZerte Student NSERS Sophie Unger Student NRES - Biology Abhay Singh Rathore Student MBA Theodore Allen Gosnell Student MBA Gopal C Saha Student PhD NRES Edwin Chin Student MBA Jedidiah Anderson Student Political Science Quinn Bassek Student MSc Community Health Sciences

Helpful Tips submitted by the following

Keys to success for

Graduate Programs

“Pairing with a supervisor who is suited

to the student's personality;

Student needs to be passionate about their

topic; Negotiate realistic

timelines and milestones.”

Chris Turner

“Supportive family & Perseverance.”

Dr. Titi Kunkel

“Immerse yourself in the literature - you should become an expert

in what is known, how it was discovered, and what

techniques are effective in your area.”

Dr. Stephen Radar

“Engaging with the student.”

Dr. Tina Fraser

“Being organized, thoughtful, hard-working and able to ask for help when you need it and

knowing when you need it.”

Dr. Cindy Hardy

“Have a passion for what you want to study and write about in your thesis.” Dr. Antonia Mills

“Don't delay writing the thesis: make a point of writing as you research. ” Dr. Kristen Guest

“Maintaining communication, stay focused, find a good

balance between work and play, know when to ask for

help.”

Dr. Andrew Kitchenham

“Being organized, good time management, keeping a social or non-work life, having a good supervisor.” Stefanie LaZerte

“Good communications with supervisor and fellow classmates, using ASc and research librarians for expertise.” Anne Sommerfeld

“Self-motivation, Persistence, and Patience.” Sophie Unger

“Maintaining a good relationship with the supervisor and committee members, not letting them force you in to a topic not yours or making you do more work than the degree requires just for their benefit. Treat grad school like a job, behave professionally and do your work. Remember to keep some balance in your life and make friends with your peers.”

Dr. Annie Booth

“Time Management, Persistence, Commitment, Dedication, Listening, Integrity, Diligence, Strong Work Ethics, Participation.” Theodore Allen Gosnell

“Choose your research project wisely - find something that you are passionate about. Choose a supervisor that you can communicate with; ensure that you can and do communicate with your supervisor. Develop a timeline for completion and try to stick to the timeline. Develop a full and complete proposal stating your objectives and proposed methods - make sure that you have a committee meeting to review the proposal!” Dr. Chris Johnson

“Regular, Sincere, Hardwork & out-of-the-box thinking.” Abhay Singh Rathore

“Working experiences and shape observations.” Edwin Chin

“Treat it like a 9 to 5 job –Routines.” Jedidiah Anderson

“Discipline, being organized, and hard work.”

Dr. Gopal C Saha

“Support from friends in grad studies, expectations of student-supervisor relationship, & roles/responsibilities are clear, look for how-to books or online resources if struggling with writing thesis/designing research/dealing with supervisor.” Quinn Bassek

“Make sure that you are passionate about the subject or a part of the subject that you are dedicating your graduate education to.” Dr. Ryan Howard

Tips for Time Management

Tips for Time Management

“Good organization!” Dr. Kevin Smith

“Negotiate realistic timelines and milestones with supervisor, and both student and supervisor stick to them.” Chris Turner

“Don't procrastinate ” Dr. Titi Kunkel

“Talk to everyone you can, especially other students.” Dr. Stephen Rader

“Use your Outlook Calendar.” Kara Taylor

“Use a scheduler (book or electronic); write out to do lists and review/update them regularly. Each morning I identify the most important thing(s) that must get done, then I do them. When distractions arise, I try to set them aside so I get the most important thing done first.” Dr. Cindy Hardy

“I take a list of things to do every morning and go down the list once I have completed the tasks. Tasks that I have not completed will end up as a priority the next day or two.” Dr. Tina Fraser

“Keep a traditional day planner. Try to treat the school work like a 9 to 5 job.” Jedidiah Anderson

Tips for Time Management

“Make timelines for getting the

thesis proposal and then the thesis done.”

Dr. Antonia Mills

“Plan a timeline backward from the time you want to defend your thesis: it is a great reality check and incentive to see how quickly you need to move forward with your thesis to stay on target to complete on time.” Dr. Kristen Guest

“Set a time to work on research and protect that time. let family and friends know that the time is sacred.” Dr. Andrew Kitchenham

“Make a lot of lists.”

Sophie Unger

“Set a schedule, like 30 minutes of reading, 30 minutes of writing, break...set deadlines like thesis defense date application into calendar.” Anne Sommerfeld

“Weekly to-do lists with easy tasks, weekly time schedules blocking out specific time for

working on specific tasks.”

Stefanie LaZerte

“Keep crisp notes for "To Do Items" , believe in proactive approach. Keep updated data.” Abhay Singh Rathore

Tips for Time Management

“Plan ahead, and that means looking ahead; be prepared, something WILL go wrong, don't cut your timeline so close you cannot easily accommodate a disaster or two.” Dr. Annie Booth

“Stay on focus and always prioritize the agendas.”

Edwin Chin

“schedule time weekly; study/write with friends, especially if this has been planned ahead as both of you are now obligated to turn up.” Quinn Bassek

“Develop a timeline for completion and try to stick to the timeline.” Dr. Chris Johnson

“Set goals, milestones, to do list, networking with fellow MBA's.” Theodore Allen Gosnell

“Please always make a weekly schedule for upcoming weekly

tasks.”

Dr. Gopal C Saha

“Set time lines and make sure that after the courses are done you have time to work on the proposal and thesis.” Dr. Antonia Mills

"How to balance Graduate

Programs, home life and work?"

"How to balance Graduate Programs, home life and work?"

“Get a job in the same field as your studies; always

make time for important family events.”

Dr. Titi Kunkel

“The trick is to stay organized. As a previous student, I set a certain time to write even if it was 2-3 pages a night. Home life, set a day for your family and shut off the phone. Work life, get plenty of sleep and once again, be organized.” Dr. Tina Fraser

“Make sure you have time to

do the proposal and thesis without working full time.”

Dr. Antonia Mills

"How to balance Graduate Programs, home life and work?"

“Do it. Don't feel guilty about having a life that isn't grad school. Feel proud that you're well rounded and mentally healthy. Build a schedule in which working evenings and weekends is an option, not a necessity. Schedule in blocks of time that are personal and keep to it. Make your time at 'work' meaningful so you don't feel guilty when taking your personal time.” Stephanie LaZerte

“Plan for vacations, days off, and breaks when you plan your work. Take time off as planned. Spend some of your time off with friends and family. Do not drink too much.” Dr. Cindy Hardy

“Negotiate a realistic schedule with life partner and work; designate specific times to work on graduate studies.” Chris Turner

"How to balance Graduate Programs, home life and work?"

“Plan a timeline backward from the time you want to defend your thesis: it is a great reality check and incentive to see how quickly you need to move forward with your thesis to stay on target to complete on time.” Dr. Kristen Guest

“Compartmentalize. have dedicated time for each priority.” Dr. Andrew Kitchenham

“Designated Friday night as family movie night.” Anne Sommerfeld

“Realize grad school will fill your life if you let it, plan for other time and sometimes just walk away from the computer. A job is 9-5, think like that. Also, get a dog, they will make you take breaks (so will kids).” Dr. Annie Booth

“There are variety of spices where right mix is necessary to provide mouthwatering flavour. All three must be accorded optimum time to be successful & happy. Enjoy your work & don't carry worries back home. Spent quality time with your family. Keep some time on regular basis for graduate program to avoid examination blues.” Abhay Singh Rathore

“Stay focused, don't get discouraged, ask for support, stay positive, be happy with where you are at.” Theodore Allen Gosnell

“Make sure to maintain a social life, join clubs, get exercise, especially in winter. Exercise is very important. Interact with undergrads.” Jedidiah Anderson

“Full time graduate studies means full time work. Commit at least 40 hours a week to thesis 'progress'.” Dr. Chris Johnson

“Please always make a priority list of your activities.” Dr. Gopal C Saha

"Thought on efforts to obtain extra funding to

help offset costs?

“Depending on your discipline, I would research to see what is available and apply for many scholarships, bursaries etc.” Dr. Tina Fraser

“Ask other people to read your application and carefully consider

the merits of their feedback.”

Dr. Cindy Hardy

“Government and organizations that you might be part of are good ones to consider; UNBC also has a lot.” Stefanie LaZerte

“Please always keep trying hard to raise your GPA.” Dr. Gopal C Saha

"Thought on efforts to obtain extra funding to help offset costs?

“Industry scholarships are less competitive.” Dr. Titi Kunkel

“Read as many successful applications as possible, talk to successful applicants, and make an appointment with the Research Officer.” Dr. Andrew Kitchenham

“Apply for as many as you can. Think ahead. Many have early deadlines. Look for RA and TA work if you have the time.” Jedidiah Anderson

"Thought on efforts to obtain extra funding to help offset costs?

“Regularly look out for the circulars concerning the research program or interest areas. Let your supervisor know about your requirements for financial aid. Keep your resume ready for the faculty.” Abhay Singh Rathore

“The federal funding agencies (NSERC, SSHRC) have early deadlines; get organised and apply before you begin grad studies. You can take those scholarships with you openning doors at universities across Canada.” Dr. Chris Johnson

“Part time work. Look for industry awards, scholarships, and grants.” Dr. Titi Kunkel

"Thought on efforts to obtain extra funding to help offset costs?

“Know what is available, ask your employer, ask your contacts, look online, ask your instructors/guidance counselors.” Theodore Allen Gosnell

“Publish early and publish often - perhaps even consider delaying entrance to grad school in order to publish. This is especially true if GPA is less than 4.0.” Chris Turner

“Apply for scholarships from the beginning.”

Dr. Antonia Mills

“Be creative, don't just go the same old SSHRC/NSERC/CIHR route, sometimes small funded are enough and there is not so much competition.” Dr. Annie Booth