Collected Advice on Graduate Education

Comments welcome

Introduction
Document listing
Subject index
Thoughts and Humor

Introduction

I am a 5th year graduate student and I have been here way too long. In the Fall of 2001 got broad-sided and was forced to reanalyze my goals for the future. During my time previous to this event I had talked with many people (students and faculty) about the process of graduate education. I noticed that many of we little students were having the same problems and experiences. The other glaring similarly was that none of use had been given any forewarning or guidance related to our situation.

I set out to create a guide that would help out some of my fellow students. It ends up that there have been many such documents created (mostly from the field of computer science, seems like they take care of their fledglings). Most of these contributions are very good. So instead of reinventing the wheel I have collected writings from the Web that I feel provide good advice to graduate students. Doing this does reduce the consistency of the message (derived from my experiences) that I that I wish to convey. This though is reflective of the nature of graduate education. The process is very individualized and there is not one path for everybody. In a way then it is better to review several sources of information from people who have had different experiences. You will of course have a different experience, but I think that you will find as I have that there are trends that overlap between individual paths.

Any materials here are reproduced on-site with permission from the authors or are scattered around the web enough that I perceive them as being in the public domain. Other documents where permission was not received for reproduction are linked. For the on-site documents I have provided a rough subject index to guide you to what I think are important, major themes in the documents. At the minimum I would read Marie deJardins "How to be a Good Graduate Student", considered by many to be the best help document for graduate education.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about materials on this site.

Tyler Heibeck

Document Listing

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On site

How to be a Good Graduate Student - by Marie desJardins. This is one of the best collections of advise on the web. Some of the advise may be more applicable to computer science, but the majority of the advise holds true for all sciences. This is a long document, but well worth the read. She has given her permission to have the text mirrored locally. PDF
Burnout - Something that one should be aware of. After years of pushing toward an unknown end point the student can be come lost and saturated. It is important to know yourself and your limitations.
Cynical Advice - To deal with the trials of graduate school some take the path of the cynic. Not for everybody, but some good advice none the less. Balanced by Modest Advice.
Modest Advice - A more tempered response to the graduate experience and a compliment to Cynical Advice.
Graduate School Survival Guide - A good concise guide to get through graduate school.
Letter to Students - To the point suggestions for a more productive and enjoyable graduate career.
Advice on CS Graduate School - Targeted to computer science students, but a good resource for general advice.
Ten Lessons I wish I had learned - Some key perspectives on an academic career. Also has some good general tips for graduate students.
Frank Advice - Some good key points and recommended reading.
How to be a terrible advisor - Not really directed toward students, but useful for selecting and interacting with an advisor.

Off-site

Notes on the Ph. D. Degree - A very good summary of what a Ph. D. degree entails.
How to give a good research talk - Some good tips on giving a successful research talk.
M.S. vs. Ph. D. - A computer science graduate students view. Specific to computer science, but still generally applicable.
Dissertation advice - A summary of some things to think about when writing a thesis.
Graduate School Survival Guide - Targeted to Math and computer science, but still a good general resource.
How to do Research at the MIT AI Lab - Many items are specific to one location, but the general idea it very applicable.
So long and thanks for the Ph. D.

Resources

Sumit Gupta's Graduate School page - Resources listed on the home page of a former computer science graduate student. Great listing.
Douglas E. Comer - Home page of a Professor of Computer Science at Purdue. Has some good original essays on graduate study and the Ph. D. degree.
Graduate Student resource page of Dan Horn - Good links relating to graduate school, many links dated

Subject index (for on-site materials)

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Psychology

Staying motivated - In the middle of graduate school it can be hard to stay motivate. Here are some thoughts.
Balance - Balance in one's life is important for graduate study.
Avoiding research blues - Don't get down in the dumps.
Prepare for the Worst - Be ready for what is ahead.
Psychological issues are the biggest barrier - Graduate study is a big pysc-job. You need to be aware of what will happen.
Expect the best - A non-cynical starting point.
More on Psychological Issues - This is something that happens to everybody, knowing what is ahead can help.
Burnout - To tips on noticing, avoiding, and dealing with burnout.

Research

Starting out - Some things to think about at the beginning of a research program
The Daily Grind - The day to day business of going research.
Day to day divide and conquer -
Reading papers - Some tips on reading papers.
Finishing - Some thoughts on getting out.
Getting the most from papers - A quick list on how to get the most from papers.
Making Progress - Some things to keep in mind while you are doing your research.
Manage your affairs - You need to be in command of your research project.
Exhaustive Thinking - Get you self in the frame of mind for research.
Becoming a Professional - Progressing toward being an independent scientist.
Reading is Fundamental - A knowledge of the field is important in a research program.
Frank advice - The path of research, happiness and the role of the advisor.

Thesis

Beginning thoughts on the Thesis - Opening thoughts on starting a Thesis project. Choosing an advisor, finding a topic, etc.
Finding a thesis topic - What is a good thesis topic?
Writing the Thesis - Now that you have done some/most of the research, what do you do now?
Formulating a research plan - Quick list of what to look for in a good research topic
Proposal Criticism - It is important to write a proposal and get it criticized.
On Theses - The all important core of the graduate research.
The project - Thoughts on the mechanics of a project
Short advice on picking a thesis project

Interaction and Communication

Getting feedback - Science does not happen in a vacuum. Learn how to get feedback on your work.
Attending conferences - Conferences are a key part of communication in science and a wonderful opportunity for interaction with those in your field.
Giving a talk - Giving is an art that requires practice.
Publishing papers
Networking - Get to know people in the field and make yourself known.
Nobody cares - You have to be assertive in approaching people.
Publish Early - Get your work out in the literature as soon as you can.
Frequency of Publication - Know when to publish.
Some people care - You will find some people who are receptive to you.
Writing proposals and grants - Some tips on writing.
Publishing - A more positive light on the process of publishing.
Writing is Fundamental - You must be able to organize and communicate your thoughts.
Working with Others - People skills.
Regarding Talks - You will find yourself giving lots of talks, refine your skills.

Advisor

Finding an advisor - This is an important consideration.
Advisor-Student relationship - Fostering a good relationship with your advisor.
Things to look for in an advisor - Some thoughts on advisor selection
Managing your advisor - Keep your advisor informed.
Interacting with your advisor - Good advice for working with an advisor and committee.
Short advice on choosing an advisor.
Frank advice - Importance of the role of the advisor, with an example of a good advisor.
How to be a terrible advisor - Not really directed toward students, but useful for selecting and interacting with an advisor.

Support

Getting Financial Support - Getting money.

Course Work

Lectures to be avoided? - One opinion on lectures.
Take advantage of courses - Another view of courses.
Notes on the Ph. D. Degree - A very good summary of what a Ph. D. degree entails. (off-site)
M.S. vs. Ph. D. - A computer science graduate students view. Specific to computer science, but still generally applicable. (off-site)
Master's Degree - A masters is not a bad thing.

Beginning and overviews

Transition into graduate school - The switch from undergraduate to graduate training
Choosing a graduate school, short advice
The good and "bad" - One opinion of the good and bad (cautions) points of graduate school.
What to look for in a graduate school department
What to know before going to graduate school - What one person wishes they would have been told.
Asking students - Things to ask students when looking at departments and schools.
Biggest mistake in graduate school and the path- A nice summary about a mistake made during school and the path of a Ph. D..

Thoughts and Humor

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"Top" list of graduate students
Excerpt from the first number of Nature, contemplating the inspiration for science
Ph. D. Wisdom - The importance of choosing a good advisor
Research Island - Your home. At least for the next few years
NIH PIs - Types of NIH Principle Investigators
NIH Post-Docs - Types of NIH Post-Docs
Stress Reduction Kit - Self-explanatory
PhD comic strip - A serial about graduate research