Tips from Alumni
It's possible!
You get out of it what you put into it. Push yourself harder than you think you can.
You get what you make out of it. You can do the bare minimum to pass or really dive in and push yourself. Don't let the imposter syndrome get to you and talk to your professors as soon as you start doubting yourself.
Keep working hard and do not drop out till you finish. You can do it
GENERAL
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Take notes when you meet with Lizette [program coordinator] before the program. There is so much she covers, and it is all info you will need to go back to. Use Lizette [program coordinator] as your personal assistant. She knows everything, and if she doesn't, she can find the answer way faster than you can!
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Learn how to teach yourself and dig for answers, whether that's online, in books or by using a mentor. This program will break you from bad learning habits taught at other school and empower you with the confidence you need to succeed in the real world.
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Write, write, write
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Learn how social media actually works, meaning how big ads are. All my classmates had no idea. You have to pay to get in front of people nowadays. Everything else is basic branding and vanity.
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Take full advantage of reference librarians, including immediately meeting with one to get briefed on research tactics. Make a point of interacting with fellow students via discussion boards, informal vid mtgs, etc. Bring yourself into the program, don’t just check the boxes, you will get a more meaningful experience.
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Understand the outcomes of the sequences prior to beginning the program. This will help you to choose individual and group projects.
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Do work for the type of clients you want to work for.
GROUP WORK
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Get to know your team - your experience in the program will be shaped by what you create with your team over the sequences. Share the workload - branch out of your strengths and don't do the same tasks within your team each semester. Now is the time to mess up and grow!
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Be open with your team, provide clear feedback, and let them know when an issue arises.
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Know your strengths and weaknesses. Use those strengths in your personal and group projects. Learn from others to help with your weaknesses.
TIME MANAGEMENT
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Don’t procrastinate
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Get started on your group work ASAP.
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TIME MANAGEMENT - this is crucial! Even though this program is self-guided, treat it like it isn't. Set up a time to do homework, so you space it out, and do your best. Turn in assignments early, so you can get feedback and not feel stressed about getting it in on time.
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Be realistic about what you're getting into. It's a graduate program that requires a lot of self-discipline, but if you can create good routines/habits early off, you'll be just fine!
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Make sure you have a plan for when you’re going to fit schoolwork into your schedule
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Create a schedule and stick to it.
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Calendar out the semester (due dates, etc.) and plan your study schedule around your commitments (for me, it was sports and concerts). Then you can make an informed decision about where you're going to sacrifice so you can do schoolwork. For me, I sacrificed a lot of social time with friends to do homework on nights and weekends.
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Be prepared to be completely self-directed with your learning; be very proactive with questions; time management may be your biggest challenge.
COMMUNICATION
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Don't be afraid to reach out to professors and ask all your questions. If you're stressed or feeling overwhelmed, send them an email and vent.
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It’s okay to be overwhelmed, ask a lot of questions early on.
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If you don't understand an instructor's expectations or feedback, ask for clarification. They are all great people who want you to succeed, but they can't help you if they don't know there is an issue.
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Communicate with your instructor! It makes things so much easier. Don't be intimidated by them. They are amazing and want you to succeed!
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Don't feel bad about asking for help or communicating with your instructor/team if you're feeling overwhelmed.
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Don't let the imposter syndrome get to you and talk to your professors as soon as you start doubting yourself.