Take Control of Your Grad School Career

Although your advisor's role is to help you choose courses and to direct your thesis and dissertation, you also need to be proactive. Your advisor is busy with his or her own career and with advising other students. No matter how great your advisor is, ultimately you are the one who cares the most about your grad school work and future career. To take control over your grad school career:

• Decide what your ultimate goal for grad school is. Is there a particular field of study you want to explore? A job you want after you get your degree? Keep your goal in mind at all times, and make sure that every class and every project moves you closer to that goal.
• Find out what requirements you must complete to get your degree.
• Keep track of your own progress.
• Know what classes you want to take each semester before you meet with your advisor, and be prepared to defend your choices.

Of course, your advisor still plays an important role in your grad school success. He or she can help you get into classes that might otherwise be full, get extra lab time, write recommendation letters for you, and even help you find a job once you have received your degree. Take responsibility for maintaining a relationship with your advisor by keeping your advisor informed about your progress and asking for advice and help once in a while.