GRADstory: Completing graduate coursework

Moving from a undergraduate program to a course-based master’s program, it is typical for students to begin their master’s program with the assumption that graduate course expectations will be fairly similar to what was excepted of them in their undergraduate programs. However, as Truphi shares with us, there are some surprises and differences when beginning graduate level courses.  

First, Truphi shares a surprising factor is the emphasis placed on independent research and critical thinking compared to in her undergraduate studies. Truphi says this pushed her to learn more about the chosen field of studying, improve her research abilities, and improve her analytical skills. She also found that graduate studies provided many opportunities to engage with both faculty and peers from diverse fields. This has provided her to gain a broader perspective and is essential for tackling complex challenges from multiple angles. Truphi describes, “This interdisciplinary approach not only enhances the depth of knowledge in a specific area but also cultivates a more holistic understanding of various interconnected subjects”. 

These differences between undergraduate and graduate coursework provided Truphi with many benefits, but did not come without challenges. As a graduate student, Trupthi explains, “graduate studies can sometimes lead to feelings of self-doubt and imposter syndrome […] I started to question my abilities and feel inadequate. To break free from this feeling, she recognized that these feelings occur in a lot of people, and she is not alone. This led her to seek support from her mentors, peers, and take advantage of services from Waterloo’s Counselling Services and Graduate Student Association. From this, Trupthi gained reassurance and help to overcome these challenges.  

On top of impostor feelings, Trupthi acknowledges that graduate coursework can be demanding, especially as graduate students have many different responsibilities, but also highlights many useful resources and strategies that have been helpful for her. To address workload management challenges, she created schedules, prioritizing tasks, and break down tasks into manageable steps. Truphi has also found academic search engines like Google Scholar, Scopus, and ResearchGate very useful. To improve her writing skills, she attended workshops at the Writing and Communication Centre for academic writing, research, research papers, and communication skills. Finally, since most coursework is done online, Trupthi shared that she uses collaboration platforms tools like Google Drive, Microsoft Teams, and GitHub that have assisted her with efficient communication, document sharing, and collaboration on team projects.

Trupthi wants to let students know, “It's important to have fun and enjoy the journey, but it's equally important to maintain balance and prioritize your coursework. Find what works for you, embrace your creativity, and approach your challenges with a positive and lighthearted mindset”. 

She notes that students may face complex concepts, heavy workloads, and high expectations during graduate coursework. However, these challenges can often be seen as an opportunity for intellectual growth and the development of expertise. Truphi also shares she has found professors and advisors at Waterloo are “approachable, supportive, and willing to provide guidance and mentorship”. Additionally, she shares, “the university provides resources and support services to help us manage stress, maintain well-being, and strike a healthy balance between our academic pursuits and personal life". So, take advantage of the services at Waterloo!