<p>I just started my masters program this fall and so far I've taken two midterms. Unfortunately they were extremely hard and without a curve I won't be doing too well in the class. Maybe Im overreacting( since I haven't even seen my grade yet) but I would like some pointers of what you learned as a graduate student that made you a better student. Specifics please, I want to know how you grasped the material better most importantly. Im currently taking 5 classes this semester so time is tight to do much extra hw problems/readings. I also know studying with somebody will help as well. Thanks</p>
<p>Take fewer classes so you have more time to spend on each class. Quality, not quantity ;)</p>
<p>agreed. unless those 5 classes are all undergraduate (i.e., prerequisite) courses, or they're all low-unit-count, then it sounds like way too many.</p>
<p>Typically, graduate students here (in engineering) take at most 3 classes per semester. PhD students typically only take 2 or even 1 (otherwise, they would have no time for research)</p>
<p>I know its weird I thought the same. But that is the program at Columbia. A masters should take one year to complete so 15 credits per semester. 12 credits is minimum for fulltime.</p>
<p>doing homework and studying in groups help a lot. Studying on your own and trying to do the homework before meeting up with your group also helps. I've been doing that since the start of grad school and so far it has seemed to help a lot. Grad school grading is a lot easier than undergrad, i wouldn't worry about your grade, just learn the material because you're interested in it.</p>