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Eberly College of Arts & Sciences Department of Geology and Geography
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Section E. 10 Things You Should Know for Success

Geology Graduate Handbook
  1. Realize that graduate school is very different from undergraduate experiences. To successfully complete a graduate degree you will need to work long hours and balance your coursework, your TA or RA duties, and your research. Maintaining a high GPA is only part of success in grad school.
  2. Be a good departmental citizen. Participate in G&G activities such as colloquium. Volunteer to help. Be part of the G&G community.
  3. Do not assume that a faculty member will be on your committee (they have the right to say “no”). Ask prospective committee members in person. Do not send an email to schedule a meeting without having first asked a faculty member to be on your committee.
  4. Be helpful and collegial to your fellow students. You will learn from them, and they will be your professional colleagues later in your career.
  5. Take advantage of professional opportunities while a graduate student. Apply for grants and fellowships. Present at scientific meetings. Help host colloquium speakers and other visiting scientists. Attend workshops in your discipline. Also, appreciate and take advantage of opportunities and expertise offered by different faculty members. Don't expect to learn everything from your advisor alone.
  6. Be on time for meetings and deadlines. Do not keep people waiting.
  7. Remember that you are a role model to the undergraduates and a representative of WVU Geology when you attend field trips, conferences, and other professional events. WVU geologists have a reputation for being polite and friendly!
  8. If you have a question related to the graduate program, try to find an answer yourself first (in appointment letter, geology graduate handbook, and department website). If you don't find the answer in these documents, then ask, after trying to identify the appropriate person (Lisa Lively for payroll questions, Hope Stewart for graduate requirement questions, etc.). It’s typically better to look for the formal answer than to rely on your colleagues (yes, fake news happens).
  9. Please understand that faculty tend to have even busier work schedules than you do. Reading and editing student work takes focused time. Some geology faculty manage to have quick turn-around times (only 2-3 days) to edit student proposals, theses, etc. However, expect that it will typically take a longer time in the summer and faculty may not be available during those months.
  10. Learn to accept constructive criticism of your writing and work. Expect that your advisor will have many suggested revisions on your written thesis proposal, thesis, abstracts, and other documents. Revisions suggested by your advisor are not meant to torture you but are meant as a way to help you learn to be a better writer and to present your best work. Writing as a scientist is a skill that can always be improved, and comes only with practice. Even the most accomplished and experienced professors have others review their manuscripts.