8 tips for getting the most out of graduate school
From Oregon State graduate business students and alumni
Entering a graduate business program is its own special concoction — one part ambition, one part uncertainty and two parts caffeine. At Oregon State University, graduate programs in the College of Business attract students from engineering, business, the sciences and many other backgrounds. The experience is demanding, immersive and deeply transformative. To help incoming students understand what to expect, we asked Oregon State graduate business students and alumni to reflect on what they wish they had known before starting their programs.
1. Graduate school is about curiosity, not having all the answers
One of the biggest mindset shifts in a graduate program is realizing that success isn’t about being the smartest person in the room — it’s about asking better questions. Graduate study is about learning how to think critically, engage with diverse perspectives and identify opportunities in complex situations. If you’re open to learning how to think, not just what to think, you’ll be well positioned to thrive.
If you’re open to learning how to think, not just what to think, you’ll be well positioned to thrive.
— Joel Walker, MBA ’21
2. Treat networking as part of the curriculum
Your relationships will shape your graduate experience as much as your coursework. The Oregon State College of Business community is built on collaboration, and students who invest in those connections early often carry them well beyond graduation.
“If you put yourself out there, you’ll make good friends who will support you not only with school, but in life.”
— Natalie Johnson, MBA ’26
3. Build a time‑management system, before Day One
Graduate programs move quickly. Deadlines overlap, group projects stack up, and life doesn’t pause just because you’re back in school. Students who succeed don’t magically have more time — they build systems that help them stay organized and adaptable.
Learning how to prioritize, set boundaries and adjust your schedule is one of the most transferable skills you’ll carry into your career.
“I personally sit with my personal Outlook calendar and schedule everything, including time to study each day and due dates.”
— Eno Omon, MBA student
4. Engage with faculty early and often
Graduate school isn’t undergrad 2.0. Faculty engagement is deeper, more personal and designed to support your growth both inside and outside the classroom.
For many students, relationships with faculty become one of the most meaningful aspects of the graduate experience. Ian Baker describes those connections as lasting mentorship, noting, “you can tell they genuinely want to help you learn and develop,” he said.
That engagement often continues well beyond graduation, with faculty serving as trusted advisors as alumni navigate new roles, industries and opportunities.
“Through my career, I continue to benefit from the network and continued learning through active engagement with the university.”
— Ian Baker, MBA ‘15
Engage with faculty early and often
For Alvian Ade Erwansyah, MBA ’24, leaning in made all the difference. By staying engaged and attending events, he built strong faculty relationships that led to the opportunity to work directly with professors to help pilot and shape elements of the new cybersecurity MBA program.
“This school offers so many resources and opportunities to help you overcome challenges and succeed."
— Alvian Ade Erwansyah, ’24
5. Apply what you’re learning in real time
Graduate school isn’t just about absorbing new ideas — it’s about putting them into practice. Coursework in Oregon State’s graduate business programs is intentionally designed for real-world application, whether through case studies, team projects or challenges drawn from real organizations.
For many students, the ability to apply concepts immediately makes the learning more meaningful — and more memorable.
“During each term I’ve learned things that I can apply almost immediately or use when talking with higher-level management and relating to the current climate of our business.” — Eno Omon, MBA student
Testing new frameworks, tools or leadership approaches in your current role or internship helps concepts stick and builds confidence. The more you connect coursework to what’s happening at work or in the world around you, the more value you’ll gain from the graduate experience.
6. Your goals will evolve — and that’s a good thing
Many students enter graduate school with a clear plan. Just as many leave with a better one. Exposure to new industries, case studies, faculty insights and peer experiences often reshapes how students think about their careers.
Ian Baker shared that graduate school didn’t just validate his experience — it helped him see new possibilities and pivot toward roles he hadn’t originally considered. “This without a doubt changed the trajectory of my career in ways I didn’t imagine," he said.
“It is okay to go in and not be exactly sure what your goal is after you complete the degree. You may just find new interests during the program. For example, in the business law class, we did a unit on mediation. I loved it, and now volunteer as a mediator in small-claims court. It has been a wonderfully fulfilling experience that I would not have had otherwise.”
— Natalie Johnson, MBA ’26
Changing direction isn’t failure; it’s growth.
7. Protect your energy like a resource
The demands of graduate school are real. Building routines that support your physical and mental well-being isn’t optional — it’s essential for staying focused, productive and sustainable over the long term. Sleep, movement, breaks and boundaries matter just as much as time management.
“I work full time in a corporate office while completing my degree. It's a tough balance because some days I get home from a full day at the office and then do schoolwork until bed. One thing that helps is I make a plan where not every weeknight is for schoolwork. And one weekend day, I take a break. For example, Wednesday evenings and Saturdays I try not to do any schoolwork.”
— Aubrey Myers, MBA ‘27
Protecting your energy doesn’t mean doing less — it means being intentional. Small choices, like scheduling rest the same way you schedule class and study time, can make graduate school feel more manageable and help you show up stronger in every role you’re balancing.
8. Remember that growth happens outside your comfort zone
Graduate business programs are designed to challenge assumptions, stretch skills and push students into unfamiliar territory. That discomfort isn’t a sign you’re doing something wrong — it’s often a sign that growth is happening.
“I had spent nearly five years trying to decide what to study, where to attend, and how I would manage it all. I never felt completely ready, but the discomfort of adding a new responsibility was better than the discomfort of feeling stuck in my work position.”
— Natalie Johnson, MBA ’26
Choosing graduate school often means choosing uncertainty before clarity. For many students, that step becomes the catalyst for renewed confidence, momentum and long-term career growth.
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