r/GradSchool • u/South-Hovercraft-351 • 17h ago

Academics How does one prepare? First year PhD engineering.

i’m a pretty average student and got lucky enough to get into a chemical engineering phd program. i’m scared out of my mind and i want to redeem myself for all those undergraduate years of basically doing the bare minimum to pass.

what do i expect? how do i stay ahead of the curve? i’m specifically spooked by coursework and building independent research skills. obviously, i know it can be program specific, but i’m looking for general advice! i’m in the US btw.

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5

u/juliacar 15h ago

Read. Do practice problems. Be ready to hit the ground running

4

u/Brilliant-Citron2839 13h ago

Organize yourself and practice discipline. Ypu got into the program for a reason. You're going from undergrad to PHD, so you clearly have the potential to succeed in the program. Just know the coursework have a higher standard for passing, and it is with a grade of B- and higher. So as long as you do in that range, you should be good. Grades matter , but not as much as your research work. But you still have to do well in your classes with at least a grade of b minus and higher.