7 keys for a successful start to graduate school

Graduate school can feel like a whirlwind. From getting ready for coursework to embarking on research, your first months can fly by. A little preparation can help you make the most of your experience.

Kristy Clarke is the manager of academic programs and development in Concordia’s School of Graduate Studies. She oversees GradProSkills, a program that provides free academic and professional development workshops available only to Concordia’s graduate students. We asked Clarke for her advice on how students can start graduate school on the right foot and set themselves up for success.

1. Get to know your academic responsibilities

All new students must complete Concordia’s mandatory academic success and integrity module. You must complete this module before the DNE deadline in your first semester (or you will have a registration block for the following semester).

This online web tutorial walks you through the university’s expectations and your responsibilities under the academic code of conduct. It provides information on how to properly cite sources, use copyright-protected works and collaborate ethically with peers.

2. Brush off your academic reading and writing skills

Graduate courses require a higher level of reading, writing and critical-thinking than undergraduate courses. Some academic texts can be very dense, especially if you are not reading in your first language.

“It can be helpful to review academic writing techniques before the start of your graduate studies,” notes Clarke. She suggests students browse the Purdue University Online Writing Lab.

Get familiar with reading, note-taking and critical thinking techniques. Take advantage of the Concordia Library’s multitude of online resources to identify credible research. You can even chat or set up a meeting with a librarian who specializes in your discipline to get more personalized help!

Academic writing help is also offered by the learning specialists at Concordia’s Student Success Centre and the GradProSkills Grad Academic Success workshops.

3. Get to know Concordia and your department

Concordia offers graduate students an Orientation day at the beginning of each semester. This event will show you around services that the university makes available to you as a graduate student. Make sure to also check out the new online Student Hub.

Many departments also have department orientation sessions. Keep an eye on your email! The dates for these events are usually emailed out by the graduate program coordinator. Departmental orientation events introduce you to faculty members in your unit and your fellow students.

Some departments also send out a student handbook in a welcome email. This document reiterates course and thesis requirements and timelines.

Looking to meet with your advisor? Feel free to reach out to them for a meeting!

4. Connect with your research supervisor (if applicable)

Do you have a research supervisor? Many programs assign you a supervisor upon entry. If so, reach out to set up a meeting early in your program.

If you are joining a research-based program, take some time to get to know the expectations around how research is conducted in your department. Getting to know students in the program is a great way of doing this!

Look into funding options. All students engaged in graduate research are eligible to apply to several funding sources, including federal and provincial awards, which are available to both Canadian and international students. Most application deadlines are in Fall for the following academic year.

5. Set some goals

Before digging deep into your coursework, dedicate a few hours to reflect on your professional objectives. Preparing an individual development plan can help you map your grad school experience by identifying goals for each stage of your program, and giving you the resources to help you reach them.

Clarke recommends individual development plan templates from MyIDP, for natural science and engineering students, and ImaginePhD, for social science and humanities students.

6. Make a plan to stay organized

Grad school might sweep you up in its bustle during the first few weeks of courses. Enjoy the journey — and make a schedule!

At the start of the term, map out deadlines on a calendar and break your projects into smaller pieces. You may consider using a tool like Trello or Planner to help you stay on top of tasks.

Take time to set a regular weekly schedule and make some room for fun — such as playing music, working out or chatting with a friend. “Time for fun activities that also de-stress is just as important in your weekly schedule as a class or a job,” Clarke adds.

Before the start of term you should also take a moment to get familiar with Zoom and Moodle and set up your student Microsoft 365 account. This will help you hit the ground running.

7. Reach out to others!

Graduate school can sometimes feel lonely, but remember, you are not alone. If you start feeling overwhelmed, reach out and get paired with a student Welcome Crew mentor.

You can also drop in to Friday morning GradChat for an opportunity to connect with other graduate students and learn from their experience. Once your Microsoft 365 account is set-up you can join the GradChat Teams group too.

Check out Orientation.