As a graduate student, you’re told that your biggest role and contribution will be your research activities. While research activities will give you publications and raise your status in the field. There some of other things you should be doing too during your graduate studies.

Not only things for your sanity and growth, but also for advancing your career. I feel that as an undergraduate, most of these extracurricular activities were encouraged and expected of me so I could be a competitive applicant for jobs or grad school. But for some reason, I found that these things were lost and not talked about in graduate school. It’s all research research research. Even though in the competitive job market that PhDs have to endure post graduation, employers will be looking for additional skills and experience. Just as they do for freshly graduated undergrads! So with that in mind, let’s talk about the things you should be doing besides research during grad school.

Things you should be doing for your sanity in grad school

Self care

Do it. NOW. Don’t wait until your burnt out to start thinking about self-care. Self-care is the preventive medicine for burn out. Start small with a walk at lunch or a 5 minute meditation or a bubble bath. If you’re so busy that you feel like you can’t add self-care to your day, schedule it!

Rediscover hobbies

Research isn’t life. Live the life you love! You should have a life outside of your research world. I feel that a lot of people lose the hobbies that they love because of work and school. Rediscover those things!

Find yourself and grow

Most graduate students are in their mid to late 20s. This is a major self-growth phase in life. Your not an undergraduate anymore, you’re a full blown adult (Even if you don’t feel like it!) The post undergraduate life can be hard, you feel weird in the “real world.” Take some time to find yourself and reflect. How have you changed? How do you want to change? What is your outlook on life? What are you goals? What is important to you now?

If you’re not of the typical grad student age, grad school is still a chance to grow and learn about yourself. Embrace it and reflect on yourself.

Things you should be doing to grow your skills in grad school

Tutoring or teaching

This is a big one if you’re interested in going into academia. TEACHING. Don’t leave graduate school without teaching if you’re going into academia. I’ve encountered so many academics, specifically academics at R1 schools, who can’t teach.

Networking

We Americans live in a culture where most people get hired because of a recommendation or a connection than a resume or application. All of this is because of the focus on networking. A broad connected network can offer more job prospects than any CV or publication. Don’t wait. Start early and put in a conscious effort. You want your network to be genuine and supportive.

Outreach and mentorship

Volunteering and outreach shows that you care about more things than your research. I remember volunteering being a huge thing that was encouraged for undergrads and it shouldn’t stop there!

Do workshops and webinars

Most universities and libraries offer free workshops, webinars, and seminars to graduate students. These can range from writing literature reviews to how to publish. Look around on the library webpage or the graduate student office webpage for opportunities to grow skills for outside the lab such as writing, review, citations, publishing, patents, and more.

Learn about STEM careers that aren’t academia

Academia isn’t for everyone. And neither is industry. Or the government. Consider your options for an PhD job. SciComm is huge right now. So is public policy. Scientific writing. copywriting. Small business. Start ups. The list goes on! Take time to learn about these options early so you can develop your passion and get on the right path.

Participate in diversity and inclusion efforts

Now don’t go doing this one just for a box on your CV. D and I is more important that ever in academia. Any effort, small or large, helps the scientific community and minority groups. Regardless of your career goals, you should learn to be mindful of your role in D and I.