From Surviving to Thriving in Grad School

Reflecting on my two semesters at the Fisher College of Business, I have been thinking about the skills I have developed that helped me move from just getting through grad school to truly thriving.

1. Time Management: One question I often get from prospective students is how much time I spend on schoolwork. The reality is graduate school is intense. There’s always something to prepare for, assignments to finish, and a lot of self-studies involved. To keep up, I have realized how important it is to manage time well. Prioritizing work while still making time for yourself matters. One simple thing that helped me a lot was keeping a to-do list.

2. Resilience: Graduate school can be challenging, not just academically, but also when you’re figuring out your career path, looking for internships, and thinking about what comes next. There are highs, but also setbacks. However, it’s important to recognize that those setbacks are temporary. Resilience is about showing up on both the good days and the bad ones. Just continuing to push through and stay consistent is what really makes a difference.

3.  Effective Communication: Communication is a skill that impacts everything how we share ideas, work with people, and navigate different situations. My experience in grad school has helped me get better at expressing my thoughts with peers, professors and professionals. Particularly, I have learned the importance of active listening. Being a good listener helps you build stronger connections and remain curious to learn more about others.