There’s no shortage of advice for graduate students — whether you need practical guidance on choosing your classes or more personalized tips for managing stress. There are some aspects of earning a graduate degree that only someone who's been there can truly understand.
Here are three pieces of advice from one of our students about becoming a successful graduate student at Bastyr:
This is Your Graduate Student Journey
If you are choosing to go to graduate school, make sure to be present. It’s easy to get caught up, compare, and assess your worth based off your colleagues. Almost too many times did I notice myself getting frustrated for not doing as well as another student on a biochem exam or not having the same level of enthusiasm toward a modality.
I would question myself, “Am I worthy of being here? Am I smart enough or talented enough?” These thoughts plagued my mind, and little did I realize, most of my colleagues were also feeling this way. And that’s when I remembered a piece of advice – learn your strengths and weaknesses. When you know where you excel and where you struggle, you know when to help and when to ask for help.
- Remember, we all have a common goal – to promote the well-being and health of each individual via mind, body, and soul.
- Remember you are a gift, you have gifts, and they are unique to you.
- And lastly, remember, stay in alignment with who you are, it will carry you through this journey and every journey forward.
We are human, we are prone to insufficiencies, and imperfections make us, us.
Affording Graduate School Can Be Intimidating 
The over-lingering stress of graduate school finances are undeniable and prominent. Most of the students are in the same boat — made of federally funded money barely keeping you afloat. But if this is your passion, remind yourself of the fragility of life —will you let the inescapability of financials take away your day? There will be days you want to say yes, but how much is money worth when your passions are stripped, and your soul is not being fulfilled?
Don’t Be Overly Consumed in School. It Is a Part of You, Not the Whole of You
You will burn out, you will become unmotivated, you will be overwhelmed. It’s like if you love chocolate cake: you eat a slice, and then another, and then another; next thing you know, the whole thing is gone – how do you feel now? Satisfied? Or like Bruce from Matilda, nauseated and never wanting it again? But in increments, who doesn’t love themselves a nice slice of chocolate, decadent goodness? Sometimes we have to eat that second slice (like pulling an all-nighter for a lab exam) but it happens in moderation. Moral of the story is don’t lose yourself. Even when taking 30+ credits a quarter, remember that you still have a life. Don’t forget that.
Become a Future Graduate Student at Bastyr University
A degree from Bastyr isn’t just providing the education you need to get a job, it provides the skills to become a change agent in your desired field, whether it be nutrition, acupuncture, midwifery, psychology, or more. Start your pathway to purpose at Bastyr today and begin your journey with us.
