Graduate Study Challenges and Strategies for Personal Success
HCS/504
August 6, 2012
John Dean

Graduate Study Challenges and Strategies for Personal Success According to Linda Weston Kramer “Retuning to graduate school is a major decision in one’s professional life. Although there are many benefits to returning to school to earn a graduate degree, it is also very challenging” (Kramer, 2007, p. 158.). This essay discusses various challenges faced by graduate students, and strategies to overcome the challenges, from personal perspective.
Personal and professional goals
It is important to set personal and career goals before pursuing graduate study. Students need to discover the various courses offered, and select the one suit for them. This contributes a great deal of success because they choose what they want to, and where they want to reach. Goal setting and working toward achieving the goal is the key for success. My main long-term goal is career development. I want to complete my program within two years and find a job in Nursing/Informatics and go up in the ladder.
When considering my short-term goal, I want to keep my GPA above 3.5, and acquire as much knowledge from this program by using the resources available. I want to improve my communication skills both written and verbal, and graduate study is the best platform for achieving that goal. It is important to prioritize the goals and choose the right path. Self-assessment and closely checking the measurable goals like the grades for the papers is the best way to pursue the dream.
Challenges face to meet the goals.
The main challenges graduate students face are; Financial, Personal relationships, competitive work environment, and difficulty to find a suitable job after earning a graduate degree (Repak & Walker, 2008, p. 3). Financial problem is the main issue for most of the graduate students. Stress of the family and school force the students to change the job to part-time, resulting in a low budget (Repak, 2008, p. 3). The demands and expectation for the graduate students affect their personal lives, and it will add to the stress. This in turn affects the academic performance.
Working in an extremely competitive environment is another area of consideration when thinking about the challenges. The expectations on the papers are high. Students need to work hard to get an ‘A’ on the papers. The level of critical and analytical thinking the students has to develop and writing as well as verbal communication skills are crucial. The knowledge base to use the computer to complete the assignments is inevitable. Away from the school for many years, and the fear of failure are other challenges for the students.
Strategies to overcome the challenges
One important strategy to meet the challenges faced by the graduate study is to identify the core values that motivate the student. Set specific, measurable attainable, and relevant goals linked to the time frame is the key to face the challenge and sail smoothly (Cartor, Bishop, & Kravits, 2011, p. 96 ) . Understand what one want out of life, and clear understanding of the educational and career path, and create rules for life are important strategies for success. Stress levels affect student’s performance significantly. Find a way to manage financial needs. Effective time management to complete the assignments before deadline, managing family issues, and get help from the support system are important strategies to reduce stress. A healthy life-style helps to relax and rejuvenate the body and mind, in turn helps to solve the problems quickly and effectively. Positive thinking boosts self-confidence and keeps it going.

Miles stones that will mark the achievement of the short- term and long-term goals When we set the goals it should be measurable ones. My short-term goal is to complete the course by spending adequate time to finish my assignments, and achieve good grade for each credit. Paying close attention on one’s grades and progress, and persistent hard work to retain them at the set level is important. Plan each day in advance, and complete the work set for that day before go to bed. To achieve long-term goal requires consistent effort and determination. Give importance to present rather than projecting into future. The long-term goals will bloom if one is successful in achieving the short-term goals.
Strengths and weaknesses related to personal communication
Effective communication is the key for success in graduate study. Students have to communicate with fellow students as well as the faculty. As an online student, there is no face- to- face communications that will in turn cause difficulties. Effective communication builds trust and respect and helps to achieve our goals. Student’s ability to communicate by written and verbal means helps for his or her success. Student’s writing skill is assessed throughout the course, and it is the basic tool for grading.
As a graduate student I have to improve the quality of my writing. Using the resources like grammar guidelines and tutorials, and write point help the students to improve their writing skills and help to get better grades. Active listening will help to improve communication with faculty, advisors, and fellow students. Successful communication helps in productive participation, and this in turn benefits the academic community the student belongs to.
Conclusion
Graduate study is very challenging, but it is a valuable platform to transform the students into scholars. Coping with the new learning system, financial problems, and stress in life are some of the strategies. It is important how one tackles these challenges by applying strategies like time and stress management for the successful completion of the program. Effective communication skill is the backbone for success of the student.

References
Cartor, C., Bishop, J., & Kravits, S. L. (2011). Keys to effective learning: Study skills and habits for success (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Hadjioannou, X., Shelton, N. A., Fu, D., & Dhanarattigannon, J. (2007, March). The road to a doctoral degree: Co-travelers through a perilous passage. College Student Journel, 41(1), 160-177.
Kramer, L. W. (2007, July/August). A personal reflection: Graduate study challenges and strategies for success. Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing, 26(4), 158-159.
Walker, G., & Repak, N. (2008). Get to know challenges grad students face to know what supports they need. Enrollement Management Report, 12(1), 3-3.