Spring Break
In their first year, doctoral students adjust to the demands of grad life
Issue date: 11/15/07
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They made it through their undergraduate years. The weeks of all-nighters, rushing off late to class, completing their thesis papers; they survived it all. But now, now they're in the real world. Now, they are in the other seat. Now, they are the graduate students.
The biggest difference between undergraduate and graduate life, according to Dan Horn, assistant dean for academic programs in the Whiting School of Engineering, is the emphasis placed on research.
"While many undergrads perform research while they're here, they still spend a great deal of time on their coursework," Horn said.
"Doctoral students, after the first year or two, focus much more heavily on their research projects and on working very closely with their advisors. ?In many ways, grad students are the lifeblood of the Hopkins research community."
Though some grad students may have worked as teaching assistants during their undergraduate career, there is often a larger teaching component to the graduate experience, which helps prepare them for entry into positions as faculty members, according to Horn.
"Being a TA is a valuable experience I did both in undergrad and graduate school," said Holly Brown, a first-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences.
"It definitely gives you insight into your own learning experience and the different ways other people learn new material."
Sociology graduate student Felipe Amin Filomeno, who was a TA as an undergrad as well, is looking forward to teaching for a different reason. Filomeno, who was a lecturer for two years in his native experience, looks forward to the challenge posed by teaching students in a different country.
"I am curious about the profile of Hopkins's undergrads, in terms of their knowledge and commitment to study," he said.
Another distinction between undergraduate and graduate life is the closeness of students with students and faculty within their departments.
The biggest difference between undergraduate and graduate life, according to Dan Horn, assistant dean for academic programs in the Whiting School of Engineering, is the emphasis placed on research.
"While many undergrads perform research while they're here, they still spend a great deal of time on their coursework," Horn said.
"Doctoral students, after the first year or two, focus much more heavily on their research projects and on working very closely with their advisors. ?In many ways, grad students are the lifeblood of the Hopkins research community."
Though some grad students may have worked as teaching assistants during their undergraduate career, there is often a larger teaching component to the graduate experience, which helps prepare them for entry into positions as faculty members, according to Horn.
"Being a TA is a valuable experience I did both in undergrad and graduate school," said Holly Brown, a first-year Ph.D. student in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences.
"It definitely gives you insight into your own learning experience and the different ways other people learn new material."
Sociology graduate student Felipe Amin Filomeno, who was a TA as an undergrad as well, is looking forward to teaching for a different reason. Filomeno, who was a lecturer for two years in his native experience, looks forward to the challenge posed by teaching students in a different country.
"I am curious about the profile of Hopkins's undergrads, in terms of their knowledge and commitment to study," he said.
Another distinction between undergraduate and graduate life is the closeness of students with students and faculty within their departments.
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