4 Things to Consider If You’re Thinking About Grad School

After I graduated last year, I found myself wondering whether I should go to graduate school or not. Before that moment, it felt like my whole life was mapped out for me. I always had a clear idea of what my next move would be. I kept thinking that if I didn’t jump into graduate school right after undergrad, I might never end up going at all. So I went, and I landed myself at one of the top communication schools in the country, the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications!

I’ve learned a lot from my experiences, and moving across the country for grad school has helped me grow just from being in a totally different environment. I could just list some benefits of going to grad school, like better earning potential, career growth opportunities and more educational opportunities, but I’m sure you’re already aware that grad school can offer all of that. Instead, I’ll share my personal take and experience on grad school, which I hope will makes things a little bit easier for you as you weigh your options.

It’s OK Not to Get A’s

To be clear, I’m not advocating that you fail your classes! You should definitely pass all your classes, and try to earn those A’s whenever you can, but it’s OK if you don’t get straight A’s. In grad school, I had to learn to prioritize events, extracurricular opportunities and experiences, which included writing for school newspapers, participating in a sports team, covering a football game and maintaining a social life. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in grades, but balance is essential, and graduate school allows you to let go of grades a little more than undergrad.

Your Classmates Are Interested in the Same Thing

In graduate school, you and your classmates are all interested enough in the field you’re studying to go to more school for it, so help each other out! There are a lot of smart people around you with different experiences and thoughts on the subjects you’re learning. I have learned a lot from my peers’ backgrounds and experiences, and I’ve grown in the field of journalism because we all approach life differently, shaped by our unique experiences. My classmates have helped make me a better person and a better student. Grad school has also helped me realize that group work isn’t horrible!