Four Things I Did to Prepare for My First Semester in Graduate School

So you’ve been accepted into the program and are now ready to take the steps to start your semester! Unsure of what to do next? Check out these four things I did to help prepare for my first semester in graduate school.

1. Sign up for classes on time and familiarize yourself with the schedule

Signing up for classes is a part of the process that makes starting graduate school feel real. Make sure you sign up for classes on time and have consulted with an advisor so when registration opens up, you're ready. UNC Charlotte offers student services to help with the registration process. Students have the option of consulting with an advisor and with the M.S. in Management program, your courses are already guaranteed. You also already have a set schedule since the program is cohort-based, meaning you will have all the same classes as the rest of the students in the program! It’s really important to familiarize your schedule early so you can plan how you will revolve everything else around it (work, family, obligations, etc.). 

2. Review class syllabi and gather materials

Get ahead of the game by reviewing your course syllabi early so you can gather your materials. There is an orientation day where you will get to meet some of your future professors and mingle with your cohort! The faculty in the program do a great job making you feel welcomed into the classroom and usually use the first week of courses to let the cohort get to know one another while beginning to get into the course content. Professors often email you a week or two before courses begin to give an introduction and an idea of what the course will be like. Review these syllabi and make sure you note important dates such as assignment due dates or exams. Purchase your textbooks early so you don’t have to wait to begin assignments or readings. There may even be readings or assignments due on the first day of class, so be prepared!

3. Update your resume and prepare yourself for networking opportunities 

Update your resume and LinkedIn profile so that you’re ready for networking opportunities. The M.S. in Management program includes a Career and Professional Development course that is intended to do just that! The course is aimed to help you leave this program with a job. We work on resume building, LinkedIn profiles, networking skills and more. Graduate school is a different realm of college where individuals are currently working or looking for full-time employment, so it’s important to ensure you’re ready to start marketing yourself so you can attract potential opportunities. You’ll even learn how to prepare an elevator speech which will be beneficial for when you get to know your cohort, professors or employers and want to share some information about yourself!

4. Make time management your best friend

Time management is a valuable skill we all struggle with sometimes. When it comes to balancing life with graduate school, it’s key to work on these skills and make time management your best friend. Balancing your classes with your job, family or other obligations is extremely important because, unlike undergraduate classes, most graduate students have so much more than just school going on. Having the cohort model in this program really allows you to have support from people who know exactly what you are going through and what you are learning in your day-to-day courses! My cohort has been super supportive and we all help each other out. Having support from your cohort, sharing resources and studying together allows you to maximize your study time because more brainpower allows for a bigger impact on your time.

By taking these four steps you will be sure to start your first semester of graduate school off right.