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After 10 years (!) as director of our graduate program in clinical psychology @uarizona I've gone back to being a "regular" professor. I had a long list of tips I used to pass along to students for having a successful run in graduate school; here are a few of the favorites... /1
4. Quantitative skills will advance your career in many, many ways. Think of yourself as double-majoring in clinical psychology and methodology. It’s not enough to know statistics. You should know methodology and measurement issues as well. /2
...Each year, take one special, outside statistics training program. Here’s an idea: Collaborate with a graduate student in math. Become deeply knowledgeable about the Open Science movement. /3
7. Join a second lab and collaborate with at least one other faculty during your time in graduate school. Attend lab meetings in second lab and collaborate with graduate students in that lab. /4
10. Develop good work habits. Procrastination destroys many graduate students. If you have problems writing or being productive, sit down with someone and outline a plan to address these problems. (Read Anne Lamott’s book, Bird by Bird and Paul Silvia’s How to Write a Lot.) /5
...Writing is the cornerstone of our profession; practice and learn the art of turning a phrase. (Read Strunk & White before bed each night.) /6
11. Related to #10, work with your head down, door closed. Also work with you head up, door open. This involves a combination of learning to work hard on dedicated research tasks (door closed) while thinking about more expansive questions you want to pursue (door open). /7
13. Pursue a NRSA or NSF grant. Also, learn how NIH funding works. Do you know the difference between CSR and a PA… or RFA? You should before you leave. Ask your advisors to read their grants. /8
14. Take an academic sabbatical. Visit another lab for a summer (or 6 weeks). Pick-up a new methodology. You can learn a lot from other graduate students. Go visit them… bring a laptop and AirBnB an apartment for a few weeks. /9
15. At least once in grad school, arrange a longish vacation (~3 weeks). Get out of town and reevaluate your place in life. Go to Nepal… China… Mexico… NYC. /10
16. Join the student committee of at least one professional organization. Regularly attend the meeting of one professional organization. Present as many posters as you can and simply show up to meet other people. Simply show up. /11
18. Be on Twitter. There’s GREAT science news on Twitter, but remember, “Shallow brooks are noisy.” /12
19. You are a graduate student, not a slave. Therefore, do not tolerate people treating you poorly. If people can’t or won’t (try to) give you what you need (e.g., reasonably timely feedback on drafts and assignments), find a new supervisor... /13
... Don’t waste time having to think about people who treat you poorly. One of my best supervisors used to say, "Win, stay. Lose, shift." If it's not working, MOVE ON! /14
21. “Wrestle for yourself.” My high school wrestling coach used to say this to be right before I went out in front of our whole town and go my head beat in... /15
... it took me 20 years to realize there was a great lesson here: You can only do grad school for you, not to please your parents, to outshine your baby sister or anyone else. Do it for yourself and do it your way; the rest will fall into place. /END
