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A Brief Guide on How to Survive Your First Year
(borrowed from Ernest Wit and Lola!)
The Ten Commandments
So, you have made your decision for a graduate program and now you have arrived for your first quarter. What should I expect this year from the department of statistics here in Chicago and what do they expect from me? Before spelling out some "rules of thumb" it's good to set the stage a little. You'll soon notice that your classmates are from all over the world and frequently with all kinds of different educational backgrounds. Frequently this means that a lot of the foreigners have better mathematical skills, whereas the Americans have the advantage of better applied skills, also language and culture is known to them, and finally they are frequently an intelligent bunch that is able to catch up during their first year. The following ten commandments are designed to help you to pass your prelim exam. They are not written by faculty that somehow has other motivations in mind. Instead they are a student's private analysis of how to work the system.
- First commandment: Thou shall get along with your classmates.
Yes, this is the first rule! Surprised? Well, this seemingly unorganized bunch of people is going to be your main asset for the rest of your time here in the department. They are going to help you out when you're ill, they give you an opportunity to complain when you're stressed out about your homework (believe me, you need that!) and, last but not least, they are the best resource of testing your skills, asking questions, knowing-how-to-do-this-in-Splus, copying classnotes of a class you missed. Remember, this department accepts those students that they believe will pass the prelim exam (and go on to write wonderful theses), so your classmates are NOT your competitors. There is place for everyone. Think of them as your friends and as a wonderful source of knowledge.
- Second commandment: Thou shall not copy homework.
- Third commandment: Thou shall go to class.
- Fourth commandment: Thou shall interact with senior students.
- Fifth commandment: Thou shall do fun things besides your homework.
- Sixth commandment: Thou shall go and ask your professor questions.
- Seventh commandment: Thou shall go and ask your TA questions.
- Eighth commandment: Thou shall discuss your problems with a fellow student, the student representative, your advisor or any faculty member.
- Ninth commandment: Thou shall study during the Summer of your first year for your prelim, but enjoy the Summer as well.
- Tenth commandment: Thou shall enjoy your time at the University of Chicago.
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