There Are No Scantrons in Grad School

 

If there is one thing I remember vividly about my college years, it is the multiple choice test via Scantron. I also remember all-night studying marathons the night before the big test. And then there were times when I was dialing into the last minute prayer line to plead with God, Allah, and Buddha that I scored high enough to pass.

That was a joke. Sorta.

At any rate, these are the sometimes not-so-great study habits of your typical everyday college student. Rinse and repeat semester after semester. Eventually the question of “What’s next after I finish my degree?” starts to loom ominously over visions of Graduation Day.

For many students, the answer is graduate school. Entry level jobs may not look too appealing and advanced degrees typically mean more money. What’s another few years of school? What’s been working so far can get you through the next couple of years when you’ll emerge with a graduate or professional degree in hand. If it ain’t broke, then don’t fix it. Right?

Wrong.

A Major Adjustment

Forget multiple choice tests. Forget scantrons. As a matter of fact, you might not use Scantrons again unless you one day teach college students yourself. There is a HUGE difference between the skills that contribute to success in undergraduate vs. graduate school.

Memorization won’t cut it. Neither will study the night before an exam. You actually have to know your stuff AND know how to apply the information. Your entire grade may be based off of ONE PAPER in which you must research, analyze, interpret, and present original ideas.

Revision, Revision, and More Revision

Many undergrads operate off of the do-it-at-the-last-minute-and-turn-in-something model. Your final paper or project may not exactly be stellar, but it’s done, and you’re willing to accept whatever grade your professor will give you because you never have to actually work on this paper again.

Not anymore.

You turn in a paper that lacks critical thought, original ideas, or even remotely resembles something pulled together at the last minute, and you just may be asked to do it over again. And again. And again. And again.

The fact that grad school is so different from undergrad can resemble a rude awakening if you’re not prepared for it. You’re in the big leagues now. Now is the time to assert your own big ideas, not just study someone else’s.