Top 10 Tips for Beginning Graduate School

Graduate School. It's imposing. It's a dream come true. It's scary. It's fun.

Graduate school means a lot of things to a lot of people. But it can be one of the greatest - and most productive - times of your life.

Whether you're fresh out of undergrad with that Bachelor's in hand, or going back to school after a long hiatus, these are some tips to help you prepare for your First Day. Unlike all those drunker undergrad years, you should probably sober up and pay attention...

1. Budget. Graduate school is expensive. Student loans, scholarships, grants... there are a myriad of ways to help you pay. Whichever way you choose, you should budget your money. Make sure to know what you can spend your financial aid money on (i.e.: qualified educational expenses, such as tuition/fees, books and supplies, room and board for full-time students, transportation expenses, health fees for a university-provided health plan, and/or personal expenses as determined by your university) and where your income from other sources will go to. This is VERY important for those of you who live off-campus, as your expenses may be significantly higher than if you lived on-campus. A great way to get started is with this worksheet. Excel also has many templates, especially for complicated budgets.

2. Get your Student ID as soon as possible. Your Student ID will allow you to access a myriad of services on campus, especially the library and gym. Many allow you to obtain your student ID and begin using services before classes begin. Plus, you'll avoid the rush of freshman and other students lined up to get theirs in the few weeks before the semester starts.

3. Love Your Library. The campus library is one of the best resources you have available to you. You can begin reading non-fiction related to your area of study, or even peruse the fiction section. While it may not have the latest best-sellers, there's usually a couple gems to be found no matter what you're looking for.

4. Know Your Textbook Options. Graduate school usually requires that you keep your textbooks from Day 1, due to comprehensive exams or thesis work. However, there are options to buying at the campus bookstore. Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble.com, and Chegg.com are great sources for finding used versions of your textbooks for significantly less than new or campus-bookstore versions. (Word of Caution: Some professors require certain editions of books - which may be out-of-print. If you have trouble finding the edition requested, see if your library has it (and copy the pages you need) or ask your professor for help in locating the book.)

5. Research Academic Societies and Journals. Depending upon your major, there may be academic-based societies, national clubs/societies, or academic journals relevant to your field. A Google search usually yields some interesting finds. Subscribe or become a member of those which are relevant to your field - and add it to your resume!

6. Build Your Resume. By now, you've probably encountered the Resume. If you haven't, it's time. Graduate school will be the time to build up your portfolio or resume, so it's a good idea to have a template in place filled in with what you've already accomplished. A typical resume - or curriculum vitae - typically has: A 2-3 sentence summary of what you want and your best skills; a summary of your academic experience, including degrees and graduation dates; academic honors or awards you may have earned; work experience, including dates of employment and a brief job description; community service; any published works you have written or edited; and references that can be contacted.

7. Meet with your Counselor. E-mail or meet in-person with a counselor to discuss your schedule, requirements to be met in the first semester (such as submitting a degree plan), and any other questions you have regarding the program and its requirements. Ensure you've read up on the degree requirements and have selected classes that will help you meet those requirements while contributing to what you want to do with your degree.

8. Ensure your Financial Aid is in place. For graduate students, you may have Master Promissory Notes or other paperwork to be completed in order to receive student loans, grants, work-study, and certain scholarships. Check your student aid account online, or meet with a counselor in the financial aid department to determine what you need to accomplish. They can also help you locate additional aid to help get up to that "Cost of Attendance" limit!

9. Utilize Fastweb.com and other Scholarship searches. Scholarships are vital, and many write the check directly to you rather than the school - so you can use the money on what you need and not what the school dictates! (Remember to keep your expenses within qualified educational expenses categories, or it may be taxes as income on your next tax return.)

10. Know Your Tax Credits. There are many tax credits for those of us aspiring to higher education. When it comes tax time, make sure you've obtained your 1098-T from the school and have information regarding (1) any aid you've received (such as check stubs or loan documents), (2) information regarding any payments made on your loans (which can be tax deductible), and (3) receipts proving your allocation of funds to qualified educational expenses, to avoid being taxed on scholarships or other aid you've received. I love TurboTax for this, as they help you plug in all the information and ask vital questions to help choose the tax credit which will get you the best refund possible.