I recently graduated from the University of Rhode Island (URI) with a Master’s in Library and Information Studies (MLIS). This was an accelerated online program that lasted two years. Of course, I learned a lot throughout this program, but I have narrowed down five key things that I wish to share here:
Reach out to your professor or advisor if you are struggling (seriously)
Do whatever helps you study, no matter how weird it is
Time management is key
Done is better than perfect
Take risks (no matter how scared you are)
Reach out to your professor or advisor if you are struggling (seriously)
This piece of advice was given to me during orientation as a grad student at URI during a Zoom conference with my cohort and the graduate school of library and information studies staff. During this conference, the staff stressed to us several times to “reach out if we are struggling,” so I wrote this on a sticky note and placed it on a bulletin board above my desk. This sticky note stayed in place for the entire two years of grad school.
This sticky note saved me a few times. I’d get stuck in my own head, worried that I would fail or because a group project had gone awry. Then I would spot my hurried writing on a wrinkled sticky note, “Reach out if you are struggling.” This would prompt me to write an email to my advisor or professor to ask for any assistance. They were helpful.
The moral of the story is to reach out for help if you need it (seriously)!
Do whatever helps you study, no matter how weird it is
To be quite honest, it took me until my second year of grad school to figure out how to study in a way that allowed me to focus. I have tried a ton of different ways of studying but nothing really stuck.
It was not until I learned about the pomodoro technique that I was able to study. This is a time management technique that utilizes timers to help you focus. Typically, you set the first timer for 25 minutes. Once that timer goes off, you set the next one for 5 minutes to take a break. This 25-5 cycle repeats until you are done working for the day.
Time management is key
Time management is of the essence.
With each seven-week class, I had to learn how to manage my time a bit differently. Each professor had different ways to teach us the material (recorded lectures, textbook readings, articles, and more) with a different workload. The only consistent due date was that the last assignment must be finished by Sunday at 11:59 EST.
With this said, early in the program, I would procrastinate throughout the week. This would cause me to spend the entire Sunday doing homework, catching up on what I missed from the week.
My advice is to manage your time wisely. Use tools that make sense to you: planners, online time management tools (Todoist), sticky notes, checklists, etc. I used all of these at one point or another.
Done is better than perfect
I am a perfectionist. This usually causes me to spend an inordinate amount of time on my work fixating on any little thing that could be wrong and making it “better.” Because I was working part-time, attending grad school part-time, as well as attending a myriad of other social responsibilities, spending an excessive amount of time on my assignments was not feasible. I decided to adopt the motto, “Done is better than perfect.” This made my life so much easier.
Take risks (no matter how scared you are)
This last one is a lesson I learned within the last two semesters of my program (spring 2025 and summer 2025).
During the spring 2025 semester, I was required to do a 150-hour professional field experience. This was quite daunting for me. I ended up receiving an internship at Quincy University’s Brenner Library. I was to research and set up an exhibit on historic Quincy, Illinois companies for the Bicentennial Celebration. This was not something I had experience in, but it was rather exciting.
When I was graduating from URI at the end of the summer 2025 semester, I realized that I was no closer to realizing what exactly I wanted to do. I just knew that I wanted to work in a library and help others in that capacity. I am rather terrified of stepping into this new chapter of my life. When I saw that a job position opened for the second time, I took the leap and applied.
Take a chance and go for it! You don’t want to look back and see any missed opportunities then regret it.