6 reasons to look forward to grad school

Grad school tends to conjure images of endless studying – but that’s trivial considering these can be some of the most defining years of your life.

Sure, each program requires lots of work, but what great things in life come easy? The reality is anything but grim, and that’s because you’ll be spending lots of time with likeminded individuals who understand the importance of big ideas the way you do.

Before you choose your favourite school make sure you’ve scoured lists to find your perfect match. Get firsthand information about different options at the upcoming QS World Grad School Tour in Calgary and Vancouver. These events are a must for anyone looking to chat with postgrad alumni, industry experts, and admission directors from the world’s top postgraduate programs all under one roof.

Attending universities include the HEC school of management in Paris, Bocconi University, University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business, the University of Kent, Hult International Business School, the University of Manchester, Newhuadu Business School, and many more.

To help inspire you for these big events, we’ve compiled a list of six things to look forward to in grad school.

You’ll love your classes

Remember those dreary undergrad days of taking science courses when you wanted to focus on an entirely different discipline? Grad school gives you the chance to take courses you love, giving you all the more reasons to roll out of bed in the morning.

It can help you stand out

We’re hearing it a lot and that’s because it’s true – with so many people getting an undergraduate degree, it’s more difficult to stand out to employers. Taking the extra time for a graduate degree can help you get noticed, especially in today’s incredibly tough job market.

You’ll make connections

You’re going to connect with people on a professional level. Networking events occur on the regular and that doesn’t only mean that you’ll be chatting with graduate students, but with faculty members too. This is great way to get your foot in the door before you’ve even finished your program.

The sky’s the limit

There’s not lots of wiggle room in the early university days for exploring your own ideas about the world. Instead of taking a course to tick off a full checklist, you’ll be working with professors who believe in taking risks and trying new things. If you’re into the freedom that is independent research and pursuing your individual interests, you’ll love grad school.

Fewer lectures

Gone are the days of trying to sit still for hours on end. You’ll spend more time collaborating with classmates, researching your own ideas, and sitting down with an instructor to talk one-on-one.

Explore your interests with more depth

If you have an interest then you’ll finally get to scratch beneath its surface. Get ready to immerse yourself in personal research and take your projects in directions you’ve never dreamed of before.

The QS World Grad School Tour in Vancouver

When: September 14, 4:30 to 9 pm

Where: Vancouver Convention Centre East

Price: Free entry for Daily Hive readers. Otherwise, $5 registration fee, same day fee $15, register online

The QS World Grad School Tour in Calgary 

When: September 12, 4:30 to 9 pm

Where: Metropolitan Conference Centre

Price: Free entry for Daily Hive readers. Otherwise, $5 registration fee $5, same day fee $15, register online