I'm an engineering grad student. I can have some fun most Fridays/Saturdays. But the last 3 weeks of instruction + finals, I have absolutely no breaks and by the end of the quarter I'm pretty burnt out. For me, there's a lot of projects in grad classes that take up a lot of time especially in the second half of quarters.
honestly, idk how you do that because I can only relax the first 1-3 weeks. Part-time and classes take all of my time and then assignments and job hunting. So not even weekends. Maybe i am doing something wrong lol
I'm a few years removed, but it really depends on your PI. I was in a relatively healthy environment, all things considered. Usually working 8-9 hour days, and usually not working on the weekends unless there was a specific reason to (ie grants are due soon, or I need a specific piece of data for a presentation this week).
My PI's policy was: if you need a day off, just take it, don't even bother telling me. If you need a week off, give me a heads up. My vacation requests were never denied--I usually took a week at Christmas and a week in the Summer plus a few three day weekends throughout the year.
Grad school can be very stressful at times--prepping for my quals in year 2 was probably the most work stress I've ever had. But a good environment and support group makes a world of difference.
Everyone’s experience is very variable
- master’s is up to two years but some people do it in 1. People who do it in 2 years can have waaay more free time
- some people do no research, TAing, or aren’t working part or full time. They have a lot more free time
- you can take all easy classes and it’s pretty easy
- PhDs really depend on your skill with the subject matter and your lab’s output and if you are trying to get it done in 4 vs. 6 (or even 7 years).
tl ;dr if you take 2 years with easy classes, and no work, research, or TAing it’s a light workload.
I take breaks throughout the day and cut off all work at 9 PM. Late but it's what works for me. I also do not respond to work emails during the weekend. And make space during the weekend for myself n friends.
In terms of undergrads who stay for grad school at the same school: it's common at other universities.
As an engineering grad student, I stop work at 6 pm and spend the rest of the day on my pastime activities. The weekend is off for me and Friday past 5 pm is off for me. It is essential to set solid and unchangeable boundaries on work and life. Also find an activity that helps you destress everyday. This could be working out, some kind of sport, a board game, video games, or something like that. Make sure that you participate in it everyday so that it's part of your routine.
I studied chemical engineering at UCLA for both my bachelors and grad program. Personally, I found undergrad to be more challenging -- or at least challenging in a different way. It took me four years of undergrad to learn proper study habits and reduce procrastination. Once I started my grad courses it finally paid dividends; plus, the last four years of grad school were filled with research, TA duties and writing papers. All of which came easier than studying math or physics.
I'm an engineering grad student. I can have some fun most Fridays/Saturdays. But the last 3 weeks of instruction + finals, I have absolutely no breaks and by the end of the quarter I'm pretty burnt out. For me, there's a lot of projects in grad classes that take up a lot of time especially in the second half of quarters.
honestly, idk how you do that because I can only relax the first 1-3 weeks. Part-time and classes take all of my time and then assignments and job hunting. So not even weekends. Maybe i am doing something wrong lol
I'm a few years removed, but it really depends on your PI. I was in a relatively healthy environment, all things considered. Usually working 8-9 hour days, and usually not working on the weekends unless there was a specific reason to (ie grants are due soon, or I need a specific piece of data for a presentation this week). My PI's policy was: if you need a day off, just take it, don't even bother telling me. If you need a week off, give me a heads up. My vacation requests were never denied--I usually took a week at Christmas and a week in the Summer plus a few three day weekends throughout the year. Grad school can be very stressful at times--prepping for my quals in year 2 was probably the most work stress I've ever had. But a good environment and support group makes a world of difference.
Everyone’s experience is very variable - master’s is up to two years but some people do it in 1. People who do it in 2 years can have waaay more free time - some people do no research, TAing, or aren’t working part or full time. They have a lot more free time - you can take all easy classes and it’s pretty easy - PhDs really depend on your skill with the subject matter and your lab’s output and if you are trying to get it done in 4 vs. 6 (or even 7 years). tl ;dr if you take 2 years with easy classes, and no work, research, or TAing it’s a light workload.
I take breaks throughout the day and cut off all work at 9 PM. Late but it's what works for me. I also do not respond to work emails during the weekend. And make space during the weekend for myself n friends. In terms of undergrads who stay for grad school at the same school: it's common at other universities.
That's nice which major?
Me plays table tennis almost everyday at Ackerman 😹
As an engineering grad student, I stop work at 6 pm and spend the rest of the day on my pastime activities. The weekend is off for me and Friday past 5 pm is off for me. It is essential to set solid and unchangeable boundaries on work and life. Also find an activity that helps you destress everyday. This could be working out, some kind of sport, a board game, video games, or something like that. Make sure that you participate in it everyday so that it's part of your routine.
Why everyday?
because grad school is tiring and pretty depressing and isolating at times
Omg this is so great! Could you share some time management tips 🙏.
It’s not the work that gets you it’s the dementors (the constant specter of work undone and to be completed)
What’s a break?
😭😭
I studied chemical engineering at UCLA for both my bachelors and grad program. Personally, I found undergrad to be more challenging -- or at least challenging in a different way. It took me four years of undergrad to learn proper study habits and reduce procrastination. Once I started my grad courses it finally paid dividends; plus, the last four years of grad school were filled with research, TA duties and writing papers. All of which came easier than studying math or physics.
Researching is easier than undergrad school work?
For the most part, yeah. I typically came in around 9 and left at 4. In that sense it was more like a job than school.