How to Be a Good Graduate Student (1994) | Hacker News Reader

How to Be a Good Graduate Student (1994)

cs.indiana.edu

57 pointskrat0sprakhar11 comments

This may be purely a style issue, but to me it makes the whole thing seem so neat and tidy.

I don't really know how to describe my grad school experience, other than that I was extremely lucky. My advisor had a good solid idea of what a thesis project should amount to, and had realistic ambitions for his own career. He had just the right amount of patience and impatience for my shortcomings. I got a thesis project, on the second try, that fell right into my trap.

More needs to be discussed about the risks. After the cynical rants are over (I'm responsible for some of them), there needs to be a frank discussion of ways to manage those risks. A lot of us, including me, easily persuaded ourselves that the risks didn't apply to us.

When I was in grad school, they wanted me to help run a seminar and a meet and greet for prospective graduate students. When the coordinators weren't around, the first piece of advice I gave the students was to not go to grad school.

Care to follow up on why not?

I can't speak for IndianAstronaut, but I (PhD Physics) give the same advice.

My reasoning is that to actually survive and succeed in grad school, you need to be absolutely passionate about what you're going to be doing. If you want to go to grad school because it seems like the next logical step, then I give that advice to emphasize that it really isn't, and that it's a bad choice for many people. But if you really are enthusiastic about your field, and really want to keep doing it, then you're going to ignore all advice anyway.

The job market is absolutely terrible for PhD grads. Especially when you compare it with the fact that you are losing valuable work experience during that time frame. Going down the postdoc and tenure track is like trying to become the next Hollywood star.

I am just about to finish my third Master's Degree, and have had 3 completely different experiences. Overall I have learned a lot, but I am just realizing how different experiences can be across the board. A paper like this is not going to be accurate much of the time.

Online MBA - simple, do the work and you get your degree, no thesis, no tests.

MS Computer Science at USF - very difficult, took me over 2 years, lots of difficult coursework, research, and a thesis defense. You could easily fail out of this program and it was incredibly stressful, but an amazing experience. My adviser was a massive help and I learned a lot (that I don't want to do research).

MS Software Engineering at U of MN (1 semester left) - Mixed, this program is very difficult and I am learning a lot. But, it is all group work (groups of 4) with occasional individual assignments and individual tests, no thesis. Though it has only happened once, I have had a completely useless, clueless group member that results in everyone else doing much more work. We complained to the professors to no avail. So I am incredibly frustrated that this person is going to get the same degree I am working my balls off for. This degree I truly think you pay your $9,500/semester and you will get a degree, I believe there is no way to fail out once you are in, this is very disheartening.

I also recommend Matt Might's blog series: https://www.google.com/search?q=matt+might+how+to+be+grad+st...

I just finished grad school (biosciences). This seems like sound advice to me. I guess things haven't changed much since 1994. Which is a bit of a shame..

Another thing... it's MUCH better to change advisers than to quit school.

(1994)

1994 seems like dated information.

former and continue 'grad student' - aka DROPOUT. Mom got cancer. I learned how to care for her and continue without professors or even the school.

After all, I' interested in Mark Twain - never let your schooling interfere with your education.

THE KEY CHALLENGE STILL REMAINS and even gets worse, IMHO. What is that? too much risk - financial, personal, etc.

1.) financial - even engineers like me have troubles and ahemmmm I consider myself above average - after all I ws BORN AN ENGINEER.

2.) personal. the reason for avoiding Columbia U for ladies is the safety problem aka PERSONAL VIOLATIONS. and no I have never had a problem. But the BIG CITY, crime, 'rape culture', etc and BIG CITY is a challlenge for some. So, choose the location carefully.

PPS. I went to grad school, sight unseen, two phone interviews with some professors, etc. new city, new house, new roommates, new school, new studies, and I am happy i did not CHOOSE Wisconsin madison - engineering with the freezing weather.

What a darn shame graduate school is not more 'ffriendly.' yes, i have audited and just copied the class notes at COLUMBIA U. When in doubt, my only regret is CUT MORE CLASSES. avoid siting being talked to. Wander the libraries more. hang out more in the coffee house and have interesting conversations.

don't just learn 3 languages, not including SWIFT or RUST. learn FOUR languages

and of couse for the reality lesson of today since I am over age 51+2

Date more 'exotic women' or men as the case may be. Insist on talking more languages. that's part of the 'graduate education'

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