Helpful Hints

• Time Management
• Relationships
• Contacting Instructors
• Contacting Administration
• Helpful Hints

• Allow 10 hours of study time per week for each course you are taking.
• Find a way to make this time special and sacred for you.
  • "It’s my second job and I have to report to work."
  • "Each semester, I set goals and deadlines for myself"
• Enlist the support of your family.
  • "Mommy is going to school now just like you and she has homework to do."
• Give yourself rewards for keeping on schedule.

• Enlist the support of your family (see above).
• Find ways to involve your significant other so he/she doesn’t feel left out.
  • "Would you like to see the paper I wrote on family systems?"
  • "Here’s the schedule of the Conference so you can see what I’ll be doing that week."
  • "The San Diego students are getting together for lunch … would you like to join us?"
• Take a short California vacation with your family before or after a Residential Conference.
• Returning to graduate school is a life-transforming experience. Be aware of this; manage it well.
• Build connections with other students in your geographic area, in your field of study.

• Start each course with a phone conversation clarifying goals, expectations, procedures.
• Expect messages to be returned within 48 hours. Expect papers for courses to be returned within 2 weeks from receipt.
• Send in that first paper (even if it’s not perfect). Start the dialogue going.
• If you get feedback you don’t understand, inquire about it immediately.
• Remember that faculty have vacation time in February and August. Plan accordingly.

• Start with the Website. Many of your questions are already answered there.
• Use e-mail whenever possible and address your request to the one appropriate person.
• If you don’t know who that is, contact Student Services for assistance.
• When telephoning, leave brief messages and be aware of time zone differences.
• Don’t expect immediate action. Don’t repeat your request every day.
• Always keep copies of important documents giving exceptional permissions, waivers, etc.
• Courtesy goes a long way. Staff are expected to be courteous; return the favor.

• Have you found more helpful hints as you’ve progressed through Saybrook?
• Please e-mail your ideas to the Student Services Office so we can expand this list.
• Thank you.