Surviving Grad School: Tips for Navigating the Stressful World of Academia

April 20, 2023

Over 12,000 graduate students are enrolled at the University of Minnesota, and it is time to take care of U graduates! Here are a few ways you could increase your resilience toward sticking to your dreams and completing your degree.

The wonderful world of passion and intellect-driven graduate education also has drawbacks. These pitfalls in the education system are deep-rooted and widely discussed but yet to be corrected, eventually hampers and scars the well-being of the lowest rung of the organizational hierarchy, i.e.,graduate students.

Students in graduate school are well-known for being overworked for little to no compensation and appreciation they get for their exceptional intellectual contribution to academia. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to state that graduate students are the powerhouse behind most of academia’s laurels and publications. Numerous student stories highlight the toxicity and power dynamic in the academic environment. Still, the support system makes it evident that graduate students  have  to fend for themself, their rights, and their mental well-being. What better time than “Stress awareness month” to talk about coping with the stressors that academia brings!

Over 12,000 graduate students are enrolled at the University of Minnesota, and it is time to take care of U graduates! Here are a few ways you could increase your resilience toward sticking to your dreams and completing your degree.

  1. Having a solid support system. Your supporters and cheerleaders can be family, your close friends, or even your roommate, but it is integral to have a group of people you can trust to share your struggles and motivate you to stay true to your goals even when you feel like giving up. 
  2. Pursuing a hobby outside of school. Graduate students are expected to go above and beyond to prove their worth, but these vague expectations might make you push aside your love for painting or playing your musical instrument. Graduate education is a long road ahead, and it is important to pursue what you enjoy doing. If that means doing a 30-minute workout in the gym for you, then do it!
  3. Practicing mindfulness. Staying grounded in the present moment and taking it one day at a time can help your mindset. Catastrophizing comes naturally to graduate students, but not overthinking your future takes effort and practice.
  4. Eat, sleep, repeat. Staying hydrated, eating healthy, and getting adequate sleep is advice that might annoy the ever-busy graduate student but is definitely beneficial in the long run. Staying healthy physically only amps up your mental wellbeing.

 

If you feel the need to consult a professional or want to talk about your troubles and struggles without worrying about confidentiality, visit Boynton Mental Health at the U. Boynton Mental Health provides individual and group therapy both in-person or by telehealth, as well as psychiatric treatment or medication management for students. 

The Mental Health Clinic also offers Solution-Focused Therapy (SoFT) to address an immediate concern that can be managed in one to three sessions. 

Be sure to contact Boynton Health’s Mental Health Clinic to schedule your first appointment today! Appointments are now available, but fill up quickly. Call (612-624-1444) to schedule your appointment and visit Boynton Health’s Mental Health Clinic website for more information and FAQs about your first appointment.

Written by: N Ganesh

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