This document outlines the experiences of graduate students, including: - Graduate coursework is more specialized than undergraduate and focuses on a specific field of study. Students work closely with faculty advisors and research teams. - Master's programs typically take 1-2 years and focus on coursework and a thesis. PhD programs take 3-6 years and emphasize original research culminating in a dissertation. - Challenges for graduate students include managing time, balancing coursework and research, intellectual demands, emotional stresses, and developing research skills and interpersonal relationships. - Graduate students' progress is guided by an advisor and committee who provide direction and evaluate performance. Maintaining a good relationship with the advisor is important.