What would you do if you were in a graduate program and weren't doing well? Drop out and settle for low pay?

Answer 1

It depends on how far along you are and why you're having trouble. I would talk to your advisor or at least one of your profs (if you're not close to your advisor) about what you can do to improve your performance.

Don't assume that only profs you did well with will be supportive. I got one B in my graduate program (M. A.) and that prof was always very supportive. Also, if you're in a program where people are actually friendly with each other (I know some are really cut-throat) talk to your classmates. If you are willing to hear an honest answer, they'll tell you what they're doing that you're not. If you can, I'd talk to multiple profs and multiple classmates. Some people will tell you things that aren't right, so I'd trust what rings a bell or you hear more than once.

I would consider whether you're studying the right thing or whether there's something else getting in the way. For instance, one of my grad school classmates was diagnosed with dyslexia part-way through our program. Only one prof, who'd taught younger kids, recognized the problem and convinced her to be evaluated. She learned to have others proof read her papers and some profs were a little lenient, but she learned to deal with it.

Basically, ask for help. Tell your profs if you don't understand assignments or why you didn't do well on something. Talk to your classmates. Some people may not want to help, but I can't imagine that nobody will. You are a college graduate, you were admitted to this program. You can do this, you just need to figure out what's causing this. My profs say that the thing that distinguished them from their grad school classmates was that they wanted it more than the people who didn't finish. If you're in the wrong program, its better to drop out before you committ more time to this. If this is really what you want, you can make it work.

Answer 2

That's a last resort. A master's degree or PhD are such an asset. The first thing I would assess is "Why". Why aren't you doing well? Then make adjustments. Whether that is to devote more time to study, find a tutor, work less, party less, find moral support, sleep more, eat better, exercise, etc. Then I would check your level of motivation. I think that is usually the number 1 problem. It's not easy, it's a lot of work, it's time consuming, and it costs a pretty penny. Don't forget the benefits. And keep in mind that the time goes by so quickly. Take one day at a time and know that in a relatively short amount of time when you are throwing your cap in the air and getting fat stacks of money that it was worth every struggle. Keep your chin up and be proud that you've come as far as you have. If you drop out now chances are you will have wasted time and money and worse, feel guilt for giving up. Also, vent!! Vent to everyone that loves you. Go see a counselor. Get meds if you need to. Pray. Surround yourself with people that make you feel energized. Try to have fun with it. Don't forget the reasons why you applied for the program. And know that you aren't the only one who is struggling with the demands of the program and pat yourself on your back for having come this far. And hang up motivational posters and magnets all over your house. Try Desiderata. And most importantly, don't look for excuses to drop out. Don't seek out opinions that make the choice to drop the program any easier. You can do this!! Believe in yourself and you will be there before you know it!

Answer 3

I'd stop struggling and do some introspection. I'd step away from the question of "low pay vs. a graduate degree" and look instead to questions of fulfillment and quality of life. Are there career options that I'd be challenged and fulfilled by or is "making a living" secondary to living? I'd ask if I was in the right graduate program in terms of school, specialty, program, adviser. Would something as simple as changing adviser be helpful? Is there something related that I would be better off pursuing? I'd try to figure out what "not doing well" means. Maybe I don't have enough intellectual horsepower for this specialty and it will be a lifetime struggle. Do I want that? I'd consider my state of mind. Is this discouragement temporary? Could I be suffering from depression? It is situational or organic? I'd lighten up just a little. Graduate school is just a small part of a big life -- one hopes.

Answer 4

If you are thinking of dropping out why should you settle for low pay? Why not take a risk and start your own business where what you earn it is up to you? You shouldn't settle for anything in life. You are a child of God and for you was created everything. You can live a life of abundance if you choose to. Be grateful for what you have now and desire more. Know that from abundance, abundance is coming to you as fast as you are able to receive it. However, you must KNOW God is bringing you all of these great things and you must be grateful for them as if they were already here.

If you have always had a passion to make a difference on the planet, then do it! Start your own company. Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, Andrew Carnegie and many others that have radically altered the way we live did so through their companies, utilizing them companies as vehicles for their creativity.

3 years ago I was in a Ph.D. program for Applied Math where I had a full ride and a $15,000 per year stipend for living expenses. I decided to take a huge risk and start an Internet Marketing company with my wife where we help other web businesses win loyal customers. We have built 2 businesses over the past 2 years. Sold one of them in the interest of focusing wholly on the other. We have created a life that we truly love. We invest in many diverse assets and we get to work on creating our fortune every day. We just sold our first house and will be buying another with two offices (one for me and one for her) in a beautiful mountain community.

There is a website that has a section on starting a web business. Take a look!

Answer 5

Reassess your interests and abilities realistically.

Possibly ask your program director or other faculty member for some input on this. Take into account other situational factors that might be different in the future (e.g., relationship, health, or financial stresses). Another direction to get input is from faculty at your undergraduate institution if they know you well.

THEN consider either increasing your effort or pausing to regroup for a different direction. Either way make sure that you leave the current program on good terms with faculty.

Answer 6

Why drop out? Dropping out is only the easy way out. If you weren't doing well find a way to study more and get some academic counseling.

They'll help you find a way to stay in the program and make your tenure a lot easier.

Answer 7

I would study harder, and perhaps cut back on whatever your doing for fun right now. (just cut back) However, I am not sure what you are in school for, but a BA is nothing to laugh at. There is some new stigma that you HAVE to go to graduate school to make something of yourself, and that simply isn't true, although you may have to work a little harder.

Answer 8

or change programs. Many people don't finish the graduate programs they start. I'm in a new one, I know lots of people who switched or went to work.

If you aren't doing well, you either don't like the material, or you were not prepared properly for it in your undergrad.

Life is to short to stick with something that you might be frustrated with, and may not complete anyways. There is no shame in changing programs, or going to get a job and then completing your masters (or PhD) later.

Answer 9

Don't do it!!! I dropped out because I was struggling, my friends stayed on even though they found it hard too. They just got stuck in, had a hard year and now they've completed it and I'm gutted and jealous that I didn't. You will regret it, there is more help out there for you, you just need to talk to your tutors. It will be a crappy year for you but it will be so worth it in the end. Good luck!!

Answer 10

No, I would try harder, get a tutor or hook up with fellow grad students in my same field. If you drop out and settle for lower pay, you'll end up hating yourself and your job. Plus, you'll always wonder if things could have been different.