r/GradSchool - What surprised you most about grad school? What do you wish you had known before going in?

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• I get paid to TA, and I make enough doing that to pay my rent, buy my groceries, and even take trips. Get your budget under control, and you'll be fine.

• Universities matter for resources, but your grad school experience will be massively influenced with the relationship you have with your advisor. Corollary: How terribly unstructured things are.

• hich they often don't. Fear honestly drives me more often.

• despite what everyone says do not focus too much on research. Keep that year aside for degree requirements

• Don't overload yourself the first semester.

• was surprised by how dumb I felt/continue to feel all the time.

• think it's just me realizing how little I actually know, and how much there is to know, and always feeling like others know and can do more. But, they also feel the same about me, so it's kind of a weird thing.

• Grad school is more about intellectual curiosity and independent research, so be prepared to do a lot on your own, and hopefully you have a good advisor who can provide the support and assistance you need!

• Some people do well treating grad school like a 9-5 job.

• has had intermittent success for me

• Find a routine and schedule that fits your abilities, and create a routine you can stick to that includes exercise, social activities, eating well, and school work.

• learning grit - how to work and stay focused in tough times.

• Depression and anxiety are VERY common grad school ailments.

• And I got a great psychiatrist who helped me find a medication regimen that works for me. GO TO THE COUNSELING CENTER.

• Oh man. In undergrad you could really fuck around and pull some work outta your ass last-minute and still be fine.

• It really helps to have other people who will help keep you accountable, and who will be right there when you need to bounce an idea off someone.

• Gonna echo everyone else and say don't overload yourself

• Make sure that you keep your free time as high a priority as your work, because people will try to steal it from you. Take care of your mental health. Do some things for fun.

• t's MUCH more important to focus on your research and your thesis.