Are there any grad students here?

[Wagamama]

I was just accepted into grad school and have a few questions. Some of them may sound silly or dumb, but please bear with me.

~Do you take backpacks to class?
~How do you dress? dressy (nice pants, nice shirt) or normal (jeans and a shirt)?
~Did you/do you work while attending classes full time? How did you manage?
~Did you/are you doing an assistantship? did you like it? what was it like teaching (or being an assistant) classes?

i think thats all for now, thanks!!

 

[Rajah]

I'm a grad student.

-Yep, when I have enough stuff to take with me, I take a backpack. Some others do, some take a normal shoulder-bag, some don't bring anything. It's really up to you.

-Casual, though again, there's the whole range. I'm almost always in jeans and a t-shirt, and that's how most of the students are, though

-I work full time and attend one class. This semester I'm doing two, but one is independent study that meets right after my other class for about 15 minutes and otherwise is done entirely online and via phone. Even still, I'm running out of steam earlier in the semester than I usually do, so no more two-classes thing for me. I *wouldn't* be able to keep up with both full time work and school, but some do. I don't know how they do it.

-Nope, not doing any assistantship stuff so can't help you there.

 

[ToyStory Fan]

I just wrapped mine up last year, but I think I can help.

1) backpacks - Yes I did, so did a number of others...you'll find a mix of full-time and part-time students, so it'll range from backpacks to computer bags to leather briefcases.

2) attire - again will vary depending on the mix of FT/PT students, I usually went straight from work, but we are always business casual...others came in suits, and others came in shorts and flip-flops

3) Yes worked full-time, during some of my really busy times at work I actually missed quite a few classes and took an incomplete or 2. Wasn't a problem, the teachers were very understanding (especially once they found out where I worked) Tried to do 2 classes per trimester, my kid brother is doing it now and he is doing 3, but he started only 1 year out of undergrad and I waited almost 8 years, so I had a much more intense workload at work, than he currently does only 2 years in.

4) no experience with this

hope that helps

 

[TigerBear]

This is kind of scary for me...I have been ABD for so long I can't even answer some of your questions.

Dress is usually quite casual, unless of course I was in a practicum off-site.

Back pack? If you need one, why not?

I attended classes full-time and worked only a few hours per week. I have the student loans to prove it. I don't think I would do it that way if I had it to do over again.

I was a T.A. several times. For one professor I did teach some classes, for another one I just graded papers/tests. If you are thinking about going into academia I would highly recommend being a T.A. to see if you enjoy teaching. I do not.


Good Luck to you!

 

[ChibiJones]

1. I'm in law school so I have a ton of books with me when I go to class. I have a backpack with wheels so do alot of my classmates. I'd be in agony if I had to carry my books on my back.

2. I go at night so there's a wide range of clothing styles in my class. Since most of my classmates are coming from office jobs, as a whole we're a bit dressier than the day students, but no one would feel out of place in jeans/t-shirts.

3. I work part-time, but many of my classmates work full-time & I know a couple don't have jobs. I'm glad I only work part-time & I'm at a law firm so I'm getting practical experience too.

4. No experience with this, sorry.

BTW, what degree are you going for?

 

[Wagamama]

thanks you guys!! you've put my mind at ease (for the time being, anyway!)

I'm going for my Masters in Fine Arts (film production) at BU and i'm really nervous...

 

[caitycaity]

good luck wagamama! i'm starting a grad program this fall too!

 

[Wagamama]

thats awesome caity! you must be as excited as i am!! what are you getting yours in?