Tips and Tricks for Surviving Graduate School
Published on September 2, 2024
Mental Health, Medical, and Disability Services
- Do not forget how important you are and that there are ways to seek help in a time of need. Transitioning to grad school can be a difficult and stressful season in your life. The University of Iowa has created an all-in-one website for mental health resources. For more information, click here.
- Learn more about specific services: University Counseling Services, Women’s Resource and Action Center
- Getting sick is inevitable, but when you do, the University of Iowa has you covered! Learn more about health services: Student Health Services, University of Iowa Health Care Locations.
- Student Disability Services offers a wide array of services and academic accommodations. Do not wait to get what you need; know that you have the right to accommodations if necessary.
Time Management
- Outlook or Google Calendars are a great way to track course assignments and exam dates, plan study sessions, and block off personal time.
- Some people prefer physical planners over an online calendar. These can work the same way just right in your hands! Start your physical planner search today!
- Start working on assignments and reviewing for exams as early as possible. Midterms and finals are a lot closer than they seem!
- Schedule time in your day to answer and sort through emails so your email is not constantly pulling your attention away from other tasks.
- Treat grad school like a full-time job with set working hours to avoid burnout. Schedule time for hobbies or other activities unrelated to school.
- After each lecture, review the contents on your own before the following lecture. We know – just trust us…
Transportation
- Utilize bikes/scooters when the weather is nice. A sturdy lock is essential!
- Register your bike or scooter with the university in order to streamline the reporting process in case of theft or damage. Register your bike or scooter today!
- Reserve a locker in the basement of CPHB to store your helmet and gear in while you are in class.
- Short-term parking options near CPHB are limited but do exist. These spots include the Newton Road Ramp, CPHB lot, and hourly parking near the theater building.
- Parking at the CPHB lots after 4:30 pm is free to any user (this is nice for when you have night classes).
- Iowa City parking rates apply Monday – Saturday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Sundays and certain holidays are free.
- Iowa City and Coralville transit systems offer convenient bus services that can get you close to anywhere you need to go!
- The Iowa City transit system boasts “Fare Free” rides to all stops.
- Coralville bus fares and more information can be found here.
- If you live near or on campus, do not fret; Cambus has you covered! Cambus is a student-driven bus system that makes stops on the east, west, and Oakdale (research park) campuses. Cambus is free to students and the public.
- Iowa City, Coralville, and Cambus all use the Transit app to track bus times, find the nearest stop, and even alert you when you should make your way to the bus stop.
- Commuting from Cedar Rapids? There is an answer for that, too! Hop on the 380 Express and get dropped off at the West Campus Transportation Center.
Student Life
- The University of Iowa has rolled out a new app for a central place for campus announcements, academic support, quick access to your course schedule, and student organization updates. Download it today!
- Enjoy working out or taking a guided physical activity course? Check out the Recreation Services App for the nearest on-campus facility and operating hours.
- Block off some time on the weekends to be yourself and destress. Iowa City and the surrounding areas have many things to do. Explore the area and what is going on here.
- Java House is an Iowa City coffee staple. Fuel up with your morning, afternoon, or evening coffee at the downtown Iowa City location or near CPHB in the Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building on the second floor.
- You are always welcome to join us at the ESA general meetings and other events hosted throughout the semester 😉.
- Paying for grad school can be challenging, but you can fund your tuition by being a teaching or graduate research assistant. You can find open positions on Handshake or by reading Megan Riley’s announcement emails. Do not just look for research or teaching assistantships within our department. So many other opportunities outside of the department allow you to use the epidemiology skills you are learning in the classroom. You can read more about your graduate student employee standards here.
- Other financial aid options are available at the Office of Student Financial Aid.
- There are always other campus employment opportunities outside of teaching and research. Check them out here.
- Enjoy the view while studying in CPHB or other buildings around campus. The CPHB second-floor student commons offer study spaces, quiet and collaborative computer labs, vending machines, and a beautiful view.
- The University of Iowa boasts a large multicultural student community. These communities are waiting for you to join! Learn more here.