By Ella Cobb

As I reflected on completing an entire year in graduate school, I started to think about the things I wish I knew before I started my program. I graduated in December 2024 with my Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing. In January 2025, I started my Master of Business Administration in strategic marketing analytics. 

At this point in my life, I have spent about 18 years of my life in school. Some of these lessons I learned earlier, but it never really stuck for me. 

Quit Trying to be Perfect

Perfectionism is just not possible. This can be hard to come to terms with if you are anything like me. The idea of someone thinking my work is not perfect is hard for me to handle. 

But there is a very big difference between doing your best and trying to be perfect. You waste so much time trying to be perfect. 

You Are Worth More Than Your GPA

The overachiever in me still struggles with this sentence. While it’s always important to do your best, the world is not going to end if you do not do as well as you hoped. 

You won’t always make a 100 on every assignment. This is even truer for graduate level classes. The course work is going to be more challenging than you have experienced before. Give yourself grace.

Quit Comparing Yourself to Everyone Else

Comparison is truly the thief of joy, and it is time to stop letting it run your life. I found graduate school to be a unique position since most of my friends did not continue their studies after graduating college.

I found myself feeling bad about myself for not having the things they could have. We aren’t all supposed to be living the same life. Graduate school is important to me, and I am glad I did it. There is no point in wondering what if. That time will be here before I know it anyway.  

You Don’t Have to Have Everything Figured Out Right Now

In my case, I am 23-years-old, and I have my entire life to figure things out. It doesn’t have to be today. 

It is important to focus on today and not waste time focusing on what we cannot control. You have plenty of time for everything you want to accomplish. 

Get Organized

I do not think I would have made it this far if I did not live by my Google Calendar and to do lists. When you are working and taking classes, you are going to forget something if you don’t stay organized. 

You can use a physical planner, digital calendar, spreadsheet, to do list, etc. Find a system that works for you. If you leave it floating in your head, you will forget something. 

Treat School like a Job

It really helps me to remind myself that school is my main job and main priority. It is difficult to keep this mindset at times because doing homework isn’t paying my bills. However, my education is extremely important to me and very expensive. It isn’t something I want to give low effort at. 

Start Assignments Earlier than the Day It is Due

If you can, do your best to start your assignments before the day it is due. It is difficult to ask questions if you have any when it is due the same day. 

There is also a chance that it will take longer than you expect to complete the assignment. Trust me when I say it is not worth the stress to put it off. 

Don’t Wait to Ask for Help

For some reason, a lot of us often feel that we can’t ask for help. Asking for help doesn’t change the fact that you are smart and capable. If anything, there is power in asking for help because you are showing that you want to learn and better understand. 

If you don’t know the answer on week one, you may not know it on week seven either. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Ask early. 

Advocate for Yourself 

Learn to advocate for yourself when necessary. There won’t always be other people there to do it for you. This is a skill you will always need. 

Protect Your Weekends (When You Can)

After my first semester, I reached a true state of burnout that I had never experienced before. All my friends were going on fun vacations, spending the weekends in the sun or in the city, and I was at home doing homework. 

After weeks of tears and extreme stress, I decided to put myself on a strict schedule and routine to survive this slump. My assignments were available to view on Mondays so my goal was to have everything finished by Thursday at the latest. By freeing up my weekends, I took my life back. It isn’t always possible to do this, but it is worth a try to see if it will work for your course load and personal life. 

Learn How to Properly Rest

I realized in graduate school that I really didn’t know how to properly rest. For a while, I thought I was resting when I spent a couple of hours lounging in my bed scrolling on social media. That does not rest our minds though. Try to trade social media for my less screen-focused hobbies. 

It is also helpful to prioritize creating a better sleep schedule. I always strive for 8 to 9 hours of sleep a night. It definitely doesn’t always happen, but I try to get as much sleep as possible. It also helps to go to sleep and wake up at a similar time every day. That is one thing I am still working. 

Build Relationships

One of the best parts of my experience in graduate school has been the relationships I have fostered. I have met amazing people through my on-campus jobs, classes, and more. Spend time getting to know your professors. They often have a lot of insight they can share that may be helpful for you. 

Try to make friends in your classes. My program is primarily online so this can be difficult. Get to know your classmates and group project members. It never hurts to have more friends and supporters. 

Build Experience Where You Can 

Take advantage of the opportunities that are available because you never know where that opportunity may take you. When you see advertising for career fairs, networking opportunities, or informational sessions, try your best to seize the chance and go. 

If you aren’t working full-time, apply for internships, fellowships, and other opportunities that will help you get a job. I also hear great success from reaching out to people on LinkedIn. 

This Time is Temporary 

I think it is also important to remember that this time is temporary. The incredible moments laughing with you friends on campus will be gone in the blink of an eye. The late nights staring at the same screen you have stared at for five hours will be gone. 

Cherish every moment because one day it will end. 

— Ella Cobb