Doctorate degree Essay Example for Free

Doctorate degree Essay Completing a doctorate degree in any college or university always presents many challenges and difficulties for every student. Statistics from studies have shown that roughly half of all incoming doctoral students will drop out, two-thirds of whom will do so during their second and third years (Smallwood, 2004). Graduate school demands a lot of focus and determination because it is a focused occupation (Jerrard, 1998). Graduate Studies also require a lot of time and commitment. There are no scheduled breaks for graduate school unlike in undergraduate studies where there are winter, spring, summer, and fall breaks off. Pursuing graduate studies entails that a student must be able to keep up with the academic load that is required while at the same time be able to deal with the other demands off campus (Smallwood, 2004). That being said, it is time to examine the challenges that students face in graduate studies. There are numerous challenges for students who are pursuing graduate studies. One of the major challenges involves the transition from undergraduate school to graduate school and the academic mentality that is required. The academic mentality problem that most students and individuals who enter graduate studies without any real work experience have is that they fail to make the necessary transition from rote memorization in undergraduate education to creative research in doctoral training (Smallwood, 2004). Often times in graduate study, a student is required to provide not merely a recitation of the facts and details but an in-depth analysis of the issue and to provide solutions or strategies that can be employed in dealing with the scenario. This is what causes a lot of students to drop out because they are unable to adjust to the demands to graduate school. The main challenges therefore for any individual pursuing graduate studies are academic mentality or mind set, stress and financial burdens. These challenges however, as shown in this short discourse, do not necessarily have to act as a hindrance to completing a graduate study degree or program as there are certain strategies that can be employed to ensure one’s success. These strategies can be summed up into three key points; learning how to think, time management and saving for a rainy day. If these three strategies can be implemented properly, the success of an individual in Graduate Study is virtually secured.