Grad School Jitters

For those students who are graduating this year, it is the second to last semester is here and finally it's time to get ready for graduate school applications. Many people are unsure as to whether or not graduate school is right for them. Others are unsure if graduate school is worth the money.

From a personal experience, graduate school has always been something I have wanted to pursue. Coming from private schools since pre-school, college has always been a dream. It is definitely hard to balance graduate school applications, various testing requirements, homework, etc.

“I often find myself dealing with senioritis, sort of speak” says Michelle Arcos, senior, HCOM. 

There is never a time when someone feels extremely comfortable with college applications. It is mid-October and it’s time to start writing your statement of purpose and seeking out those professors who would like to write letters of recommendations for you. The time is ticking as each day passes by, and more and more people feel hesitant to graduate. After graduation there are many options to consider: graduate school, work, or travelling!

This all seems great at first, but life usually doesn’t go as planned. Capstone is definitely a challenge for many seniors here at California State University, Monterey Bay, especially if the preparation was not met.

Renee Vincent, Spring 2011 graduate, HCOM states, “When choosing a Capstone topic, don’t be too ambitious with it. It can really become a problem by the end of the semester, scrambling to finish.”

The best way to get through your last year as an undergraduate student is to network and become aware of the opportunities that are around you. Make an effort to visit your professors’ during office hours, get to know former students who graduated in your field, intern at various businesses or organizations in order to get an idea of the workforce. These experiences are extremely beneficial, especially if you want to enhance your learning. Below is a link to a graduate school advice tutorial; hopefully these tips can help you in your future.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSKOe7rTfzI