Graduate school is rigorous. It stretches you intellectually, professionally, and personally. But if you ask University of Memphis graduate students what makes the journey meaningful and manageable, their answers center on community, balance, and belief in yourself.

We asked graduate students and recent alumni to share their words of wisdom for fellow and incoming Tigers. Their advice is honest, encouraging, and rooted in real experience.

Find Your People

For David Mayo, a former UofM Global student who earned his Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Education, success in graduate school starts with one simple step:

“Find a graduate school friend.”

Having a supportive companion, he explains, can make even the most overwhelming semesters feel manageable. A friend can help you stay on top of deadlines, offer encouragement during stressful moments, and hold you accountable when motivation dips.

Graduate school may be demanding, but it doesn’t have to be isolating. Knowing someone else understands the same responsibilities and walking a similar path can be incredibly grounding.

Christopher Harris, who is earning his Ph.D. in Communication and Rhetoric, echoes this sentiment. He encourages students to embrace community and cultivate strong relationships with friends, colleagues, and peers.

Having a trusted group to lean on, he says, makes navigating the winding roads of graduate school far more sustainable.

Get Involved and Stay Balanced

For Jagath Chandra Mallam, who earned his master’s degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, community extended beyond the classroom.

After arriving in Memphis, he immersed himself in campus and city organizations, including the International Student Organization, Global Friends Memphis, and V.I.S.A. Memphis. Through involvement, he found connection, purpose, and a sense of belonging.

His message to new students is clear: get involved, build connections, and manage your time wisely.

Balancing academics with personal well-being, he says, is key to maintaining both health and happiness. Graduate school is a marathon, not a sprint, and sustaining yourself matters.

Protect What Makes You, You

For doctoral students, the journey can feel especially consuming.

Diana Humble, a Ph.D. candidate in Communication, offers candid advice for those considering a doctorate. She encourages students to carefully consider their readiness before beginning a Ph.D., noting the emotional and mental demands of the process.

Her wisdom is both practical and deeply personal: don’t lose yourself in your degree.

Graduate school can sometimes create pressure to make academic work your entire identity. Diana urges students to hold onto the interests, hobbies, and relationships that bring them joy. Making time to rest, recharge, and maintain a sense of self, she explains, is not a distraction from success; it’s what makes success sustainable.

Keep Dreaming Bigger

Tony Lugemwa, who earned his Ph.D. in Social and Behavioral Sciences, offers advice that speaks to ambition and possibility, especially for international students and those pursuing advanced study far from home.

Quoting former President Barack Obama, Tony shares:

“Keep exploring. Keep dreaming. Keep asking why. Don’t settle for what you already know. Never stop believing in the power of your ideas, your imagination, and your hard work to change the world.” 

Graduate school at the University of Memphis is more than coursework, research, and deadlines. It is a journey shaped by friendships, mentorship, involvement, and resilience.

Wherever you are on your graduate journey, remember this: your ideas matter, your well-being matters, and the community you build along the way will carry you further than you ever imagined.