The Graduate Student Handbook
This handbook is designed to help you understand and benefit from the many aspects of your experience as a graduate student at the University of California, San Diego. Advice, suggestions, survival techniques, policy and procedures, and inside information on graduate study are valuable resources for new and continuing graduate students.
Suggestions for Successful Graduate Study
1. Formulate a plan. Your plan should cover all stages of your graduate career. As you begin your graduate studies, seminars, labs, independent study, preparation for qualifying exams, papers, and the final dissertation or thesis should all be planned with your ultimate academic goal in mind. Seek out guidance and feedback from faculty at an early stage. If you feel like you are getting off schedule, or feel that you are moving in an undesirable direction, talk to faculty and staff involved with your program right away. Don't succumb to academic lethargy, ask for assistance immediately.
2. Be organized. Keep accurate records. Stay on schedule. One of the most prevalent problems in higher education today is failure to complete the degree. While this may be due to a variety of reasons, it seems that disorganization can often be a factor. Be organized in whatever way is most natural and understandable to you, but keep track of where you are and where you should be in your academic timetable. By doing so, you are able to keep on schedule. Keeping good records of your work is encouraging to those with whom you work - your adviser, the faculty, and administrators. Thus, they will see in you a sincere intent to complete your academic goals.
3. Join your department "community." Being a graduate student is more than attending classes and conducting research. Attend and participate in seminars, colloquia and other department activities. Become actively involved in your department and meet all faculty.
4. Maintain a broad perspective. Graduate study is a big part of your life, but only a part. Attend social functions in and out of your department. Volunteer to organize and host graduate student get-togethers. Work hard to involve yourself at all levels to create a balance in your life. Although it may seem as though you could not possibly have time for anything else but your own studies, you should take advantage of the interdisciplinary opportunities available in an academic community. By doing so, you stand to gain breadth and depth in your educational and personal development.
5. Take these steps when problems arise. If you are faced with a problem involving any matter of an academic nature you should first attempt to resolve it through consultation with the graduate coordinator or graduate adviser in your department. If this method does not bring about the desired result, you should discuss it with your faculty graduate adviser. Your final step in the department would be to seek assistance from the department chair. If all departmental efforts fail, you may wish to consult with the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs or other staff in OGS as appropriate. Situations involving campus-wide services for graduate students (Career Services, Health Services, etc.) should be addressed first with the staff or director of the appropriate service unit.
6. Seek help. Don't procrastinate and don't try to do it alone. Frequently refer to the many sources of information, such as this handbook. Talk with other graduate students; even if you have been a graduate student for a few years, you may still need to hear refreshing and stimulating viewpoints. You can exchange ideas with both new and returning graduate students.
7. Get Involved. Being part of a student organization or governance body will help you become more familiar with the campus and make connections outside of your department. The Graduate Student Association is one way of doing this. Graduate students from all departments are encouraged to become familiar with, if not, actively involved in the GSA. Campus committees are filled via the GSA. Critical student issues are actively addressed in this forum. For more information contact the GSA at (858) 534-6504, gsa@ucsd.edu, http://gsa.ucsd.edu
Serving on a campus-wide committee is an excellent opportunity for you to participate in the decision-making process of the University. These committees set, shape, and review policies that affect many aspects of a student's life. A few of the most important campus committees which request graduate student representation are the Graduate Council, the Registration Fee Committee, the Program Review Committee, and the Graduate Student Health Insurance Policy (GSHIP) Advisory Committee. Appointments to campus committees are made through your Graduate Student Association (GSA). A student who serves on a campus-wide committee must be in good standing.