Tips I Wish I’d Known My First Week of Graduate School

When I first landed in the Boston area, I thought I had most things figured out. I had secured housing, ordered a bed and desk, saved up some emergency funds, and enrolled in the classes I needed. I was proud of how prepared I was on paper—but what I hadn’t fully prepared for was how important it would be to have people to lean on. My name is Khadija Binte Nasir, and as an MAT student, especially if you're new to the city or even the country, building a support system early is not just helpful—it’s vital. 

Graduate school moves fast, and so does life outside of it. Between classes, student teaching, MTEL prep, adjusting to a new city, and simply feeding yourself properly (yes, frozen meals do count), it’s easy to let connections take a backseat. But the truth is, the people around you will shape your experience as much as the curriculum. Start with the small stuff—chat with the person sitting next to you in class, say yes to that campus coffee catch-up, go to orientation dinners even if you’re tired. These aren’t just social events; they’re soft landings in moments of overwhelm. 

The Tufts community is incredibly welcoming, but it still takes a little effort to feel grounded. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your professors, your advisor, even your mentor teacher—they're not just here to evaluate you, but to guide and support you. And seek out peers who understand what it’s like to juggle teaching, coursework, and the weight of becoming a real educator. One of the best things I did was join group chats with other MAT students. On hard days, those messages reminded me I wasn’t alone. On good days, they were the first people I wanted to share wins with. 

A few quick tips I wish someone had told me in my first week: 

• Check SIS and Canvas regularly—they’ll become your lifelines. 

• Don’t procrastinate with the MTELs. You’ll need to pass at least three: Communication & Literacy Reading, Writing, and your subject-specific test (for me, that’s English). Start early, make a study plan, and use the free resources Tufts provides. 

• Plan your weeks with breathing room. Whether it’s journaling, walking to Davis Square, or watching a comfort show—make space to decompress. Teaching can be intense. So can learning how to teach. 

• Be open, but set boundaries. You don’t have to say yes to every opportunity, meeting, or dinner. Rest is part of resilience. 

• Find your corner of joy—whether it’s a local café, a Sunday market, or a friend who makes you laugh until your cheeks hurt. 

Grad school isn’t just about academics—it’s also about growing into the teacher, colleague, and human being you’re meant to become. And no one gets there alone. So take a breath, take your time, and let people in. It’s one of the best decisions you’ll make.