A Whole New Ballgame
Grad school is definitely a change from undergraduate life.
Don't fall for the popular fallacy that grad school is just
like undergrad, only harder. They are completely different and
your first year can be a big adjustment.
You will have to get used to working more independently and
with constant self-motivation. Professors will not
waste time going over the basics, which you will be expected to
know inside and out.
You will need to train yourself not merely to memorize
material, but to truly understand it. There is no time for
slacking off or just "getting by." Professors assume that you
want to be in class and have a genuine interest and dedication
to learning every aspect of the field. A great deal of your learning will come from outside
the classroom through research, attending seminars and
conferences, and talking with professors and fellow
students.
With all of these added responsibilities comes an array of new
and exciting opportunities. You will delve deeper into specific
topics, partake in more hands-on learning, and work closely
with numerous accomplished professionals. You may also have the
chance to pursue research in a topic of your choosing.
