Beginning grad school, just like starting any new chapter in your life, can be tough. Whether you are nervous about moving in from out of town, struggling with the transition from being an undergraduate to a graduate student, or returning to school after having been out of the classroom for years, it’s tough to be in this alone. Lucky for you – you aren’t. Everyone beginning their graduate degree in EEES at Clemson is in the same boat you are. But, you will have a leg up on everyone else because you are reading this post. Here are the 5 things you should know before beginning your MS degree at Clemson University in the EEES Department.
5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW BEFORE BEGINNING YOUR M.S. DEGREE IN THE EEES DEPARTMENT AT CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
1. The earlier you meet with prospective advisors, the better!
If you are able to visit Clemson the summer before arriving, e-mail the contact in the department and arrange for some meetings with prospective advisors. This will give you the opportunity to hear about possible projects to work on before other students have the chance and will more than likely give you more options to choose from. It could also be a good opportunity to find funding (if any is available) before other students have the chance.
2. You’re not in this alone.
The other students in your department all come from different backgrounds and degree programs. Because of this, certain classes may be easier or harder for each person. Don’t worry if you are afraid of struggling in a class; chances are some of the others students have a background in that material and can help you out.
3. Do your first semester homework in the computer lab.
Most of the students spend a lot of their time in Rich Lab, which is also where all of your classes will be held. If you work on your homework in the computer lab, chances are there will be students going in and out while you work. Most of them will have already taken the class you are in and will be very willing to help you if you are struggling.
4. If you were given an assistantship – budget for the first month you are in school!
The payment plan for assistantship has a lag period so you won’t get paid for about a month while you are here. Make sure that when you begin school you have budgeted enough to pay for your rent, utilities, groceries and any other expenses you may have.
5. Don’t buy a parking pass for main campus (unless you know you’re going to need it).
Most of your time will be spent at Rich Lab – classes, advisor meetings, lab work – which is NOT on Clemson’s main campus and parking is free at RIch. You won’t need a parking pass for Clemson’s main campus unless you have to do work in a lab on campus or your office is there. There could be various other reasons as well, but if you don’t have a reason to go to Clemson’s main campus regularly, then you don’t need to bother getting a parking pass. There are metered visitor spaces that you can use for the random trips you may need to make to main campus or you can take the bus from Rich to main campus.