Considering & Selecting Graduate Schools & Programs

Info.GradSchools.com »» Selecting Graduate Programs »» For those considering Graduate School: Lessons from Spiderman

For those considering Graduate School: Lessons from Spiderman

With all the hype surrounding the recent hit, Spiderman II, I thought that it might be worthwhile considering some useful lessons that we might draw from the film. Given that Spiderman had an arduous and difficult journey to face in order to accomplish his goals (protecting the city from peril), and that graduate school can similarly be a challenging trial, I felt that many themes from the movie deserved consideration.

Costs
There are a number of costs associated with obtaining a graduate school education, the most notable being time and money.

As we saw in the film, Peter Parker was living in tiny, dingy room in an apartment with an obnoxious landlord. Graduate school can be quite expensive and also often prevents people from working full time so they are unable to make as much money to offset the costs of school as they would like. Therefore, many students find themselves living in less pleasant surroundings than they might prefer during the time that they need to be in school. Frequently students also find themselves with little to spare when they first graduate, as they have substantial loans to begin paying back.

There is also a significant investment of time and energy in order to complete graduate school. A master's degree typically can be completed in two years or less, but a Ph.D. can stretch on for a much longer period of time. Spiderman discovered that when he was spending all his time fighting crime, he had little or no time or energy left to devote to relationships with those he loved or for other pursuits such as school or work. Likewise, graduate students who are fighting the battles of intellectual pursuit may find themselves with little time or energy to devote elsewhere.

Relationships Speaking of relationships, it is important if you are considering entering graduate school, that you discuss such a decision with anyone else in your life that will be greatly affected. If you have a family: a spouse, significant other, or children, you will not only be disrupting your life in a major way, you will also be disrupting the lives of those around you. As Parker discovered, those who love you and are going to be affected by your decisions dislike being surprised and confused by unexplained choices and unexpected situations. You are going to need the support of those you love in order to pursue your dreams of graduate school, and it is vital that you include them in the process and allow them to be part of your efforts.

Balance
Another valuable lesson that can be drawn from Spiderman's adventures is the need for balance.

When Peter was stretching himself too thin and trying to do three or four things full time, he failed and began to lose his powers. Similarly, those considering graduate school without forgetting the rest of their lives will need to learn time management skills beyond any that they have needed before. Graduate school does require a significant investment of time so that leaves little to be wasted in a day. Simultaneously, however, it is important to not let graduate school rule your life to such an extent that everything else begins to fall apart. Balance and a proper perspective are essential to your pursuit of a graduate education from the application all the way through receiving your degree.

Commitment and Perseverance
Graduate school requires an amazing level of commitment, particularly for those students who wish to earn a Ph. D. and will need to spend years pursuing their educational goals.

There was a point in the movie where Spiderman obviously felt that he had made a mistake in his priorities and would rather be Peter Parker and pursue a "normal" life than to take the difficult road of the heroic and lonely protector. Correspondingly, there may be a point in your educational career when you begin to wonder if the costs are really worth the fight that it takes to get your degree.

Spiderman concludes that what he has the ability to do is too important to be discarded because he would rather pursue other interests or personal gratification. He felt compelled to make a difference. If you, in the same way, love your studies and feel that the contributions you could make to your field are worth the self-sacrifice required, then graduate school is the place for you.

IM This Article

Return to Article Library