57 Ways to Screw Up in Grad School: Perverse Professional Lessons for Graduate Students

by Kevin D. Haggerty, Aaron Doyle

Don’t think about why you’re applying. Select a topic for entirely strategic reasons. Choose the coolest supervisor. Write only to deadlines. Expect people to hold your hand. Become “that” student.

When it comes to a masters or PhD program, most graduate students don’t deliberately set out to fail. Yet, of the nearly 500,000 people who start a graduate program each year, up to half will never complete their degree. Books abound on acing the admissions process, but there is little on what to do once the acceptance letter arrives. Veteran graduate directors Kevin D. Haggerty and Aaron Doyle have set out to demystify the world of advanced education. Taking a wry, frank approach, they explain the common mistakes that can trip up a new graduate student and lay out practical advice about how to avoid the pitfalls. Along the way they relate stories from their decades of mentorship and even share some slip-ups from their own grad experiences.

The litany of foul-ups is organized by theme and covers the grad school experience from beginning to end: selecting the university and program, interacting with advisors and fellow students, balancing personal and scholarly lives, navigating a thesis, and creating a life after academia. Although the tone is engagingly tongue-in-cheek, the lessons are crucial to anyone attending or contemplating grad school. 57 Ways to Screw Up in Grad School allows you to learn from others’ mistakes rather than making them yourself.

Genres: Nonfiction, Academia, Self Help, Academics, Grad School, Research, Read For School

208 pages, Paperback

First published July 29, 2015

Reviews

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book on grad school. Easy to read because each "way" was at most a few pages and sometimes only a page.

This book would be great not only for a grad student, but those considering grad school. The first chapter is devoted to helping the reader think through the decision of applying and going to grad school, the middle chapters are about navigating grad school, and the final one goes into approaching the next step after grad school.

[Devon DeRaad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Generally focused toward English/history/social sciences, but good tips for anyone in grad school. Most of these nuances are picked up quickly once in a graduate program, but I would recommend this book to an undergrad currently applying, to guide expectations.

[Tao Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a helpful book that I'd recommend every grad student to have a look, especially those who are considering applying for a phd or are actually doing a phd. The authors almost cover every aspect of grad life and provide some insights about life beyond grad school: academic career, which can be of a help to people interested in academia. Though easy to read, the book, to a large extent, is limited to the practical issues students may encounter in grad school as well as advice on how to cope with them. That being said, the book looks like a laundry list (though a well organized one, which makes it easy to read), and it could have been better if the authors could generalize what they have discussed to some generic principles about how grad school or even academic operates. After all, the target readers are grad students and probably phd students, and hence a systematic treatment or argument that entails the fundamentals about academic life is the true enabler for those smart people: not only do they have to know what and how to do, but also, more importantly, why to do so.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book that makes explicit the unwritten expectations of being in graduate school. I think it's most helpful for someone who's going straight through their degrees. But for someone who has been in the workforce, it's still good to know that the same principles for progressing in that career also apply to academia. Ideally, you stop thinking of yourself as a student and more like a junior colleague or an apprentice. I found the emphasis on reputation resonated with me most - ensuring that from day 1 you start building a strong, trustworthy one. I'd never thought of how informal opinions and information is shared, and how that can affect future prospects. A useful read that's made me more aware and purposeful in the way I approach grad school!

[MJ Dinong · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers general advice on graduate programs including both masters and PhDs across all disciplines in North America. The author conveniently organizes 57 tidbits of advice into pertinent sections. Some are expounded upon more so than others, and some have some really great nuggets of additional advice within. As with all things, take what works for you and leave the rest as no one size fits all. I have already found much of this advice useful which leads to the four star rating. The following list is my simple interpretation of the advice given.

Starting Out
1. Know why youʻre going to grad school.
2. Consider the future job market opportunities your grad degree opens you up to.
3. Do your grad degree at a different university from your undergrad/masters.
4. Carefully consider all the pros and cons of your various acceptance offers.
5. Never do an unfunded PhD.
6. Do not do an interdisciplinary PhD.
7. Know that your program will likely be longer than is advertised.
8. Become familiar and make use of all the information and resources your university provides for you.

Supervisors
9. Take responsibility in managing your finances.
10. Get help from your supervisor and communicate often, if you are not talking to your supervisor something has gone terribly wrong.
11. Do not choose a supervisor for prestige alone.
12. Consider that having co-supervisors can complicate your program.
13. Have your supervisor clearly lay out their expectations of you, and you for them.
14. Keep your supervisor and committee well informed of your progress, if you are not talking to your supervisor and committee something has gone terribly wrong!
15. Do not stay with a bad supervisor.
16. Take responsibility for yourself, no one else will do it for you.

Managing Your Program
17. Work on things other than your thesis.
18. Understand that you cannot be perfect, especially on your comprehensive exams.
19. Work on a topic that actually interests you.
20. Teach in moderation.
21. Seek teaching instruction.
22. Do not move away from the university before your program is over.
23. Take care of any research ethic procedures and approval processes promptly.
24. Build an organization system, document diligently.
25. Attend conferences in moderation.

Your Work and Social Life
26. Nurture your life outside of the university.
27. Do not expect friends and families to fully understand the ways you inevitably change through your program.
28. Have diverse social groups.
29. Do not get a second job!

Writing
30. Build a writing habit outside of your thesis.
31. Publish as you go, do not wait until the end of your program to publish.
32. Donʻt try to cover everything within your thesis, accept that you simply cannot.
33. Take a position in your writing and defend it.
34. Keep a writing schedule for your thesis outside of the assigned deadlines.
35. Learn to write well.

Your Attitude and Actions
36. Expect to be judged on your personal character as well as your work.
37. Develop a thick skin for criticism.
38. Be considerate to everyone.
39. Do not be the student who only talks about how stressed and overworked they are.
40. Be flexible with others and learn to compromise.
41. Do not gossip!
42. Consider first then consider again when making posts on social media.

Delicate Matters
43. Do not assume that the University is perfectly inclusive, be aware of your civil rights and due processes.
44. However, given the above, do not be quick to get into a legal battle.
45. Do not get romantically or sexually involved with faculty or undergraduate students.
46. Do not cheat or plagiarize!

Finishing Your Program
47. Attend job talks.
48. Do not expect to land a job in a specific university.
49. Know that in a future faculty position, you will likely not be teaching your PhD thesis.
50. Participate in job search committees.
51. Study otherʻs complete thesis.
52. Do not get an unknown external examiner.
53. Understand that the completion of the PhD program, particularly the submission of the thesis and accompanying defense can be logistically lengthy.
54. Put effort into your defense.
55. Plan for job interviews in advance.
56. Know that in some circumstances, it is okay to quit your PhD program.
57. Know that a non-academic job after completion of a PhD is a success.

[Nick Hyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who completed a Master's Degree, is married to someone who completed a PhD, and who currently works to support graduate students, I found this book to be a great foundation to those who are considering graduate school, as well as, those that are entering. Additionally, the book has particular sections that are specific to different aspects of the journey and is also valuable as you enter your last year of your program and begin to think about what's next.

As our society continually pushes the notion that more education is better, and as higher education shifts to attract enrollment in new ways, I found the most meaningful aspect of this book to be about taking the time to think if a graduate degree is something you really want and will benefit your long term goals. The authors have obviously had a lot of experience in academia, which has led to some great examples to illustrate their takeaway messages. In areas where more detail is required, they give suggestions on where to find that information.

The end of the book does a great job summarizing the 5 key principles to Thriving in Graduate School and Beyond:
1. Maximize Opportunities
2. Take Responsibility
3. Build Healthy Professional Relationships
4. Look for Help
5. Forge a Professional Reputation You Will Be Proud Of

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has the most to offer those considering or entering grad school, but it still has it's place for those of us already in the thick of things. I read it after I had started my Master's but before my PhD, and I wish I had read it sooner. A lot of the advice might seem like common sense for some, but the book lays out everything you should think about when considering or starting this hard journey. From choosing between a Master's and a PhD, choosing and dealing with an advisor, to all the potential politics involved in a life of academia. Having skimmed through it recently, it can serve as a useful reminder even to those next deep in dissertation work.

[Valencia W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read but better suited for PhD candidates

There are a lot of useful tips and sections within this book, however this book has more content relevant to those pursuing Doctoral degrees. This does not mean that the information contained in the book isn't useful - it certainly is. I am happy to have read this book but believe the Grad School Essentials by Zachary Shore to be more suited to Master's Candidates.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A relatively quick read filled with advice for current and future graduate students. I would recommend this one for those considering grad school in particular. If you're just beginning to consider graduate school, I'd also recommend reading the Appendix first. It contains a clear breakdown of different types of graduate degrees and their requirements as well as the people who keep the whole system humming.

[Climbing · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives really practical advices about graduate school. Everyone makes mistakes. Wouldn't it be better to avoid most of them? I wish I read it earlier. It helped me to get through the dreary process of thesis writing.

[Dan Li · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very thorough book on how to screw up grad school from application to dissertation defense to job hunting. I recommend browsing the content first and pick up whatever screw-up that best suits you. With this in hand, I'm pretty confident I'll easily screw up my grad school.

[Pía López Copetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a good book to read if you’re into pursuing a PhD (not my case), and definitely a must if you’re geared towards social sciences (definitely not my case). Let’s just say I was expecting something else out of it.

[Jasmine K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good advice

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Should have been required reading before I started my PhD

[Caley Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great overview on the basics of thriving in grad school that’s relevant to multiple disciplines.

[KL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, concrete, credible.

[Olivia B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful read. Easy to flip through. Solid and grounded advice, that seems like common sense after reading, but it feel good to read it formalized in a book. Gives more confidence :)

[Lop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is grad school Hollow Knight? Beautiful and scary and attractive.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, this is a reasonably useful book if you are about to enter grad school, and it is well written. I am in my third year, so it was less useful. Many of the points made are things that I had definitely figured out for myself already, or were, to be frank, pretty obvious. The issue for me really was that each graduate program seems to be so unique that writing a full book about "common" pitfalls means I skipped about a third of them because they just didn't apply to me. In the conclusion they break all the ways to screw up into 5 main categories, and I think they would have been better of just presenting it that way from the beginning, and using specific cases as examples. In conclusion, if you are about to enter graduate school this would be a good thing to pick up, but don't be afraid to do some skimming or skip some sections.

[Tara Brabazon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not an academic book about doctoral education. It does not present the tropes and paradigms of higher education studies. But for a student - particularly a North American student - considering entering a graduate programme, this is strong book.

While there is some doubtful advice - particularly with regard to interdisciplinarity - the overwhelming majority of information is accurate, timely and important. It is clearly written and features evocative case studies. Recommended.

[Qiwei · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book tells the hard truth about graduate studies in a candid, a little humorous, but accurate way. It's not too stressful to read for a student who has just made the decision of embarking on his/her graduate life, and also sincere enough for him to seriously consider whether he has made the right choices and how he should pursue his future life. It didn't change my decision of going to grad school, but I certainly hope that I'd read this a few years earlier.

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of good humor and good info.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's OK. Nothing enlightening, though. I've heard most of these tips before.

[Rahul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet. Effectively advises readers on how to negotiate potential obstacles in graduate school.

[Darius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for anyone considering or who has been recently accepted into graduate school. Great tips on the application process as well!