Challenges of Adult Graduate Studies and Strategies for Success - Term Paper Example

 The Challenges of Graduate Studies: How to Surpass Problems in Graduate Studies and succeeding it? I. Introduction Deciding to go into graduate school defines the beginning of a phase of nagging stressful life changes for majority of adult students. Some of these changes in a graduate student’s lifestyle are recurrent and match up to main academic role shifts; for instance, the initial number of months after the admission and entrance to graduate school, getting ready for comprehensive examinations, such indicates in the dissertation writing as the dreaded defense of proposal, the initial periods of a placement, particularly following a relocation, and starting work as a fresh professional (Walfish, 2001). Some stressful changes in a graduate student’s lifestyle happen more erratically. Some are related with the environment of the graduate school, whereas some are otherwise such as loss of a loved one, having a health problem. In a book entitled ‘Is a Soap Opera, Levine and Perkins discovered the phenomenon of critical life incidences to be the rule rather than exception. One examination discovered that during the initial half a year of graduate studies, students disclosed an approximate of 3.9 stressful life incidences (Delamont, 2000, 37). Entering a graduate program is a remarkable event that will significantly characterize the student’s professional prospects and affect a greater part of the attributes of personal life. Graduate school bids personal development, growth and adaptability as the student confronts several stresses. These stresses are numerous and occasionally serious for any student, whether married or single. Nevertheless, three of the stresses or challenges that I have personally chosen are work conflicts, family matters and financial issues. Primarily, these three problems commonly come in the way of graduate students’ ambition to complete a master’s or doctoral successfully. II. Breadwinning or Diploma? Graduate school is a job itself which demands time, effort and energy similar to a full-time job. Hence, it is obvious that graduate school will not involve minimal labor or stress. Nevertheless, graduate school can be extremely important if a person desire further specialization in a chosen field or to take full advantage of one’s earning potential. It is not unknown to everyone that those who were able to obtain graduate diplomas enter their professional field at a higher status and benefit from higher compensation. However, are these attractive promises of a graduate diploma enough to motivate an adult who has a full-time job to assume both the responsibilities of personal growth and physical subsistence? In my case, I could personally attest that this question deserves only one answer; the endeavor will be extremely difficult. As for me, being a resident nurse in long-term care has given me too much responsibilities and tasks, both physically and emotionally. Long-term care is a rather tasking area of care giving since it is aimed at providing support services on a continuous basis. The stress from my job is quite sufficient to send me to bed after a long day of caring for people with physical or mental disability. Hence, I have thought that I have to take the necessary stress of graduate studies for personal and professional betterment. It is, at the long run, wise to take simultaneously work and graduate studies. If a graduate student cannot afford graduate school then obtaining employment may be the paramount solution. Moreover, working could also guide a graduate student’s career goals and direction since graduate school is never an easy way to discover one’s self. In order for a graduate student to succeed both in work and graduate studies, he/she can keep some of his/her earnings while keeping his/her mind set on the goal of completing graduate studies successfully. III. The Family and Graduate Studies: Happy Together Based on an evaluation of the condition of my relationship with my family, being newly married and having a 15-year old son, I have almost decided to set aside entrance into graduate school or to not enter at all. I have asked myself, “Provided all the possible difficulties in establishing and sustaining my relationship with my family at this time, do I genuinely desire to be involved in a married life while in graduate school?” But then, I have decided to still enter into graduate studies. One of the major problems to the family of the graduate student and to his/herself regarding entrance into a graduate program is the necessary relocation to the site of the graduate school. This then, can severely disrupt one’s lifestyle in a number of ways. Oftentimes the spouse of the graduate student is forced to strip from priority personal or professional growth, needs and aspirations for the benefit of the graduate student’s educational development. The spouse may also be required to resign from a job and look for employment in the vicinity of the graduate school site. These unavoidable disruptions then can seriously affect the emotional and social stability of the children who will also be compelled to move and to adapt to a new social environment (Walfish, 2001). Married graduate students confront a serious dilemma. However, there are techniques laid out by several experts, which can help a married graduate student juggle successfully both family relationships and educational development. Primarily, it is important for the graduate student to have a proactive sense of time management. Scheduling important activities with family, career and education should assume a positive character, which means that definite objectives and goals should be settled on properly with the assistance of loved ones. IV. Money Talks in Graduate Studies Looking for money to pay tuition fee for graduate school is more challenging than searching it for undergraduate school, yet money is just out there. Opportunities are present in various forms, including employment and scholarship grants. However, for a graduate student who has to provide for him/herself, his/her family and his/her education, the challenge is more mind-boggling. Nevertheless, this financial challenge for married graduate student has been currently alleviated by various university assistantships such as loans, private funds, research funds and others. These sources of financial gains could help graduate students who are confronting major monetary problems. Many graduate students have a source of financial support which takes care of their tuition and allowance. Even though no one ever became wealthy just being a graduate student, it doesn’t necessarily mean that graduate students would starve to death. Aside from the sources of funding aforementioned there are others such as fellowships, employer sponsorship, and teaching assistantship (Delamont, 2000). Paying for graduate studies is definitely a problem for many. But as some have positively put it, “money is everywhere, people just need to patiently search for it”. V. Conclusion Succeeding in graduate studies merely entails a clear setting of goals and priorities. It would help a lot to have a definite idea of what to specialize in and to have a well-though of plans on particular projects and activities to work on while studying. Graduate studies are now a must and not merely an educational luxury anymore. Hence, aspiring master’s and doctoral holders should deliberate early on the potential difficulties and the possible solutions to these hardships in graduate studies so as to avoid too much stress and anxiety while at school. References Burgess, R. (1983). Experiencing Comprehensive Education. London: Methuen. Burgess, R. (1994). Postgraduate Education and Training in the Social Sciences. London: Jessica Kingsley. Davis, J. A. (1964). Great Aspirations: The Graduate School Plans of America's College Seniors. Chicago: Aldine Pub. Co. Delamont, S. et al. (2000). The Doctoral Experience: Success and Failure in Graduate School. New York: Falmer. Walfish, S. (2001). Succeeding in Graduate School: The Career Guide for Psychology Students. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Read More