50 Things You Should Do as a Graduate Student at BYU

Graduate school is overwhelming, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy it and take full advantage of the variety of opportunities offered.  Below are some suggestions from your fellow graduate students of 50 things you should do during your MA:
Academic/Professional
  1. Attend your program orientation
  2. Go to the New Graduate Student Banquet (you could win big bucks!)
  3. Become friends with your classmates
  4. Write down your goals for graduate school
  5. Go to the GSS Faith and Scholarship Symposium
  6. Submit an article for publication
  7. Visit with an advisor in Humanities Advisement & Careers
  8. Visit with a research librarian in the HBLL
  9. Learn how to use Zotero or another digital research tool
  10. Go to a presentation completely outside of your field of expertise
  11. See a film at the International Cinema
  12. Get to know what your professors care about
  13. Travel to a new place
  14. Get a job or internship that enhances your studies
  15. Job shadow someone who has an interesting career
  16. Have someone look over your resume
  17. Tell your graduate secretary how much he/she is appreciated
  18. Write a thank-you note to a professor
  19. Get to know other graduate students outside of your program
  20. Interview someone about their journey in their present career 
  21. Collaborate with your classmates as you study for your exams 
  22. Explain your thesis topic to someone in 30 seconds 
  23. Attend or participate in the 3 Minute Thesis Competition
  24. Visit the Grad Expo Fair 
  25. Prepare and visit with potential employers at a career fair 
  26. Visit another university 
  27. Moderate at an academic conference
  28. Attend a thesis defense before your own 
  29. Have lunch with some of your professors 
  30. Subscribe the BYU Humanities Advisement newsletter 
  31. Attend the informational Graduate Fair at the beginning of your 1st semester
  32. Present at a conference
Other
  1. Read by the fire in the periodicals section of the Library 
  2. Write your personal life philosophy 
  3. Take a nap without feeling guilty
  4. Attend BYU Devotionals 
  5. Thank your family for all of their support 
  6. Become involved in a special interest group 
  7. Cheer yourself up by reading a comic at phdcomics.com 
  8. Walk at your graduation ceremony 
  9. Hang out with your classmates outside of school 
  10. Read your scriptures everyday
  11. Go to a Graduate Student Society (GSS) social activity
  12. Participate in a service project 
  13. Sing the BYU Cougar Fight Song at an athletic event
  14. Attend a performing arts concert or recital
  15. Visit the BYU Museum of Art
  16. Make time for exercise and sleep
  17. Get a doughnut during the GSS Doughnut and Bagel Days
  18. Read a newspaper and stay informed