Grad school is all about learning. Better is he or she who is open to learning, unlearning and relearning because, without that, it may become quite difficult to navigate grad school successfully. There will always be situations where what you thought you knew is just a tip of the iceberg and gaining knowledge will require you to let go of some presumptions. Interesting how you find out about new information that would make life easier in your field of study and you can only wonder how come you are just finding out?! (This may or may not apply to me🙃) Well, no man is an island of knowledge and sometimes you just don’t know until it is pointed out to you. How nice to figure things out by yourself but when it comes to other people doing that for you, it becomes a harder pill to swallow. Hence, the topic of criticism! How to deal with criticism in grad school needs to be talked about because it is that one thing you really cannot do without in the pursuit of your degree.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)
Criticism is an effective tool to open your mind to better ways of solving problems or update of knowledge. There are two types of criticism, the positive and negative. The positive criticism is the constructive one which is aimed at making the recipient better at the related situation and that is what I’m referring to in this blog. On the other hand, the negative criticism is all about cutting down the recipient and making them feel bad rather than get a positive outcome (story for another day). I suggest we learn to differentiate between the two for an efficient response and management. By the grace of God, I just concluded my first year as a PhD student, and I quickly realized criticism is what I have to embrace too fast than I’d love to admit.
Some tips for dealing with criticism in grad school
1. Criticism is helpful, not harmful
Have you ever worked in cycles before? When a problem is presented in the lab or in class, the objective is how to solve it efficiently and quickly (actually). Sometimes, our attempts in problem-solving is better aided when you are surrounded with positive critiques. An example is writing. I took a writing class last semester, and the take-home lesson for me was how to ask for criticism and love it! You are not a good writer when you are not open to getting feedback on your work. As a matter of fact, before a good paper is published, it needs to pass through a bunch of experts in your field who makes up the editing team. Know that criticism is an opportunity to improve the quality of your work.
2. Embrace criticism, don’t avoid it
Have you noticed that when you are not ready to get an opinion about something you simply don’t share? Many students make the mistakes of not consulting with fellow students or senior grad student who could provide some good inputs. Surviving grad school involves asking questions (lots of questions). We miss suggestions of new analytical tools, helpful software, better applicable packages, new R scripts and other ‘sweet’ scripts which would make life much easier when we refuse to bounce ideas with others. Communicating your needs on specific problems will help the other person give good feedback (still learning that with my PI). Remember it’s grad school there will always be something to learn till the very day you submit your thesis even after that.
3. Accept criticism professionally, not personal
A usual situation in grad school every now and then, is the need to make presentation on your projects and interpretation of the results. That screams criticism! Your audience will ask questions, agree with you and even not agree with you, sometimes you get your methods or results questioned. Since there is no way around all that, how you decide to handle that is your choice. Take all the feedback with grace and apply it for next time. The more we accept criticism and take notes, the better we become. Also, know what to take with a grain of salt but also know what to take seriously if they pertain to your career development. On a lighter note (but seriously), laugh at yourself and don’t be too entitled to knowing it all. Truth is no one knows it all.
4. God over criticism
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
James 1:5 (NIV)
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth
Matthew 5:5 (NIV)
We should all be student of life and willing to learn, grad school or not. God loves the meek! So, to know more than you do, be willing to submit to correction and from anyone (ouch!). It is a life hack! God loves us regardless of our knowledge and performance!
Okay, let’s throw it out there, to the one dishing out the criticism, be considerate. Don’t water down the truth but speak the truth in love (and fairness). Remember you must be willing to receive the measure you give to others if the table turns😉.
We are mid-year!! Hope you are staying on the gratitude side?
Don’t forget all the answered prayers you are currently walking in.
Tori Masters
Special note: Would you give your life to Jesus Christ? He is the way, the truth and the life. If yes, please pray the prayers below:
Lord Jesus, thank you for your death and resurrection for the salvation of my soul. Please forgive all my sins. I choose you today to follow and to obey. May your love and the holy spirit lead and guide my purpose for your glory. Thank you, my Lord and savior. Amen!
Grace and blessings,
Olushola.
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