Beginner's Guide to Graduate School

Resources and advice for navigating your first year

Pieces of Advice I Collected Throughout My First Year

Over the course of my first year, I received a large amount of advice, and discovered some important things. Here is a nonexhaustive list of things I think someone going into their first year should know. [THIS IS STILL IN PROGRESS!]

Download First Year Advice PDF

Useful LaTeX Templates

These are the LaTeX templates I currently use for everything. They can be adapted to fit your needs. The Beamer template is adapted from one created by the late Dr. Oporowski.

Homework Template

Has environements for problems, proofs, and solutions built in. If you wish to change the \qed sympbol check out the renew command in the header.

Download Homework Template

Report Template

Includes hyperlinked table of contents, bibliography, and section numbering.

Download Report Template

Beamer Slides Template

Presentation template with LSU color scheme options, customizable blocks, and clean transitions.

Download Beamer Template

Helpful Older Graduate Students

These are graduate students who have been particularly helpful and have agreed to be listed as resources. [ALSO STILL IN PROGRESS]

Laura Kurtz

2nd year

Specialties: Probability, Being a general "Fix-It" Personality

Email: lkurtz2@lsu.edu

Abhishek Dangodara

4th Year

Specialties: Algebra, General Helpfulness, Always Having a Smile

Email: adango3@lsu.edu

Aneek Maiti

5th Year

Specialties: Algebra, Getting You Out of a Bad Mood

Email: amaiti2@lsu.edu

Matthew Lemoine

4th Year

Specialties: Topology, Where to Find Good Coffee, Being Generally Kind

Email: mlemo36@lsu.edu

Chris Bunting

5th Year

Specialties: Probability, Willing to Help with Just About Anything

Email: cbunti5@lsu.edu

Qualifying Exam Preparation

Resources to help you prepare for your qualifying exams during the first year.

Qualifying Exam Folder

This folder contains solutions to a lot of stuff:

Access Qualifying Exam Folder

Campus Mental Health Services

Graduate school can be stressful. Here are resources available to support your mental health:

Student Health Center

Location: 5 Infirmary Lane

Phone: (225) 578-9335

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Services: Individual counseling, group therapy, crisis intervention

Visit Student Health Center Website

THE PHONE 24 Hour Crisis Phone Line

Phone: 225-924-5781 (available 24/7)

For urgent mental health concerns outside normal business hours

Other Resources

Final Reminders

Important things to keep in mind throughout your graduate school journey:

Administrative Deadlines

  • Check your department's academic calendar regularly
  • CHECK YOUR EMAIL!!!!
  • Know the deadlines for qualifying exams, etc.

Professional Development

  • Attend department seminars regularly
  • Talk to people

Personal Well-being

  • Schedule regular breaks and vacations
  • Maintain hobbies outside of academia
  • Keep in touch with family and friends
  • Remember that your worth isn't defined by academic success