We often hear from professionals reflecting on their time in library school: offering wisdom, encouragement and the occasional polished anecdote. That has value, of course, but I find there’s something uniquely helpful about a more unpolished perspective from someone still in the trenches with you. As a student five months from graduation who is juggling school, marriage, a full-time job, and regularly contributing to the delightful iSchool Blog you’re reading now, here’s my take.

When I started my MLIS program at San José State University, I had all the typical anxieties. Would I still have time to relax and play video games? Would reading journal articles all day ruin my love of reading for fun? How will I maintain spending quality time with my wife and friends? Would I even remember how to write a paper? What if I completely failed a class?!

Now that I’m nearing graduation and still alive (and even thriving, depending on the week), I wanted to share some of what I’ve learned. If you’re new, or even a semester or two in and still trying to find your footing, here’s what I wish someone had told me.

Time Management Doesn’t Have to Be Fancy

I have tried many methods to keep track of assignments and scheduling. I’ve used Google Calendar, Todo-ist, Notion, etc. You name it, I signed up for the free trial. To be completely honest, the biggest game-changer for me was deciding that the built-in “to-do” list in Canvas is actually enough for my workflow. I keep things simple: I check the list, look at the next due assignment, and make time to knock out related lectures and readings.

I work full-time with a hefty commute Tuesday through Saturday, so Sundays and Mondays are my “school days.” Sundays are for reviewing what’s coming up and maybe watching a lecture or two, and Monday is a full day of nose-to-the-grindstone schoolwork.

Despite compartmentalizing school to a day and a half per week, I’m usually ahead. I credit that to staying on task. When it’s time to work on school, I work on school.

Staying Engaged in Online Learning

Staying engaged can be tough, especially when I was only logging into Canvas one or two days a week. I do have the benefit of working full-time in a library, so that allows me to stay engaged by seeing how the things I’m learning can be (or already are) put to use.

Additionally, some of my coworkers are pursuing their degrees as well, and the librarians have already completed their MLIS, so I chat with them about how classes are going and discuss assignments. 

If you are feeling isolated in online school, reach out to your fellow students to connect. Check out this article about SJSU student groups: Spotlight on iSchool Student Organizations or browse the iSchool events calendar to find upcoming casual Zoom hangouts or other events where you might meet fellow students.

Assigned Reading: Don’t Let It Break You

Assigned readings can QUICKLY become overwhelming. Here’s a tip: spread it out. I read between watching lectures, working on assignments or taking a walk with my wife and dog. Additionally, if one week has fewer assigned readings, I may get a head start on the next week to even out the load.

When I’m overwhelmed with reading my 10th scanned PDF of the day, I like to print the articles. This lets me look away from the computer for a while. The change-up can actually be refreshing and give you some renewed reading energy (and you can probably print some pages for free at your local library!).

I’m a model student, so of course I read every single sentence of every assigned reading, but let’s be honest: not every section of every article is worth your full attention. I mean, if you happen to accidentally skip a methodology section or skim an article that feels redundant, that’s just information triage. Deciding what’s relevant to your goals and career is part of grad school.

Tools That Saved My Academic Life

I highly recommend using a note-taking software to keep track of your notes and assignments. Without Obsidian, I’d be a mess. It’s where I store every set of notes, every assignment, my degree progress and even my future e-Portfolio competency drafts. Each reading gets its own note, complete with APA citation and quotes I might use later. I pair that with Canvas’ to do list to track assignments and get a tiny serotonin hit every time I check something off.

If you’re not the Obsidian type, Notion or Evernote can get you where you need to go. Here’s a helpful roundup of productivity tips: New Year, New Habits.

Figuring Out Where You Fit in the Field

I came into the program with my sights set on public librarianship, and that hasn’t changed. I love working with the public, helping them access what they need to live more informed and fulfilling lives.

That said, it doesn’t work that way for everyone. You might come in thinking you want to be a children’s librarian and find yourself drawn to metadata, archives or digital services. You might discover that school librarianship, academic instruction or UX is more your speed. That’s part of the process.

Pay attention to what sparks your interest. I was surprised to find how much I enjoy reference work in INFO 210 with Johanna Tunon, which bolstered my decision on public librarianship. So keep an open mind, and when a particular topic or assignment clicks for you, follow that lead.

Organize Early, Breathe Often and Get in a Library

If I could go back to my first semester self, I’d say three things:

1. Track your notes and assignments like your future self will owe you money for them. Having great notes allows you to connect ideas that span the entire breadth of your studies. Keeping all of your assignments well-organized is invaluable once e-Portfolio rolls around.
2. Look ahead. Checking out the syllabus and upcoming assignments allows you to mentally prepare for how much time and focus you need to dedicate each week. If you can work ahead, even better.
3. GET IN A LIBRARY. This is something that I had luckily already begun, but this cannot be stressed enough. Online learning can only do so much for you. You need to spend some time volunteering or interning or just working in a library to gain that real-world experience and prepare you for the job search.

So let’s revisit my worries. Yes, I still find a little time now and then to play videogames. Unfortunately, reading for enjoyment can be a bit harder these days, but considering I’m at 30 non-school-related books read this year, I think I’m okay. My incredible wife supports me and we always find quality time despite our workloads. And, finally, it turns out that writing a paper is kind of like riding a bike, once you dust off the cobwebs, your brain remembers. 

Grad school doesn’t have to mean jam-packed days with assignments and reading hanging over your head. With a little bit of organization and focus, you can make it a smooth, fulfilling experience.