1. MY ADVICE TO FUTURE
STUDENTS:
MY GUIDE FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN THE
MASTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION
DEGREE PROGRAM AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN
UNIVERSITY
Georgia Southern University, 2014DOUGLAS PETERS

2. Although this program is online, please get to know your
advisor, faculty members , and classmates in the program. The
knowledge and opportunities that you can receive from these
interactions are endless. Stop by a faculty members office if you are
in the area and send emails is you are out-of-state.
Get to know your advisor, faculty members, and
classmates inside and outside of the program.1

3. It will provide much needed clarity and could reduce initial grad
school anxiety.
Purchase your textbooks early and read the first 3
chapters before classes begin.2

4. Because it is not about what you know, it is about who you know.
Network, network, NETWORK.3

5. You will continuously use APA for every assignment you complete. Refer to
these guidebooks frequently when you have an writing assignment.
Purchase the Publication Manual of the American Psychological
Association, Sixth Edition and APA The Easy Way.4

6. Not only will this assist you if you decide to pursue doctoral studies, it will
help you form pedagogies that guide your educational practices.
Look for student affairs areas and issues that capture your interest. Read
publications of that discipline in your free time.5

7. Embrace it.
Coffee will more than likely take the place of your best
friend or spouse.6

8. These three relevant documents will assist you in looking for trends
in current literature and the organization of higher education
institutions.
Download and read CAS Standards and Learning
Reconsidered I and II.7

9. Look up jobs that you are interested in on higheredjobs.com and note the required
skills. Search for opportunities during your graduate studies to acquire those skills.8
This is crucial for preparing for life after graduate, increasing your marketability in the
competitive job market, and professional development.

10. Have fun learning the material.9
The courses in the program are a part of the curriculum for a reason.
Find some way to apply what you learn in your practices and
appreciate what you gain from each class.

11. Develop a solid student affairs philosophy and adhere to it.10
Creating your own student affairs philosophy is one of the most
empowering aspects of the student affairs profession. It serves as a
reminder of our values, ethics, and ambitions while working with
students and our constituents.

12. Make it a top priority to learn how to use some form of
presentation software other than Microsoft PowerPoint.11
I know what may be going through your mind: “This guy is using a
PowerPoint. What a hypocrite.” However, I have utilized SlideShare
to share this presentation to a larger audience. Instructional
Technology Foundations will teach you other Web 2.0 tools to
implement, but we live in the information age. Learn how to use
other user software to present your information. It will do more good
than harm.

13. Find some source of motivation and inspiration in your
studies.12
If you are considering the program, note the possibility that you will
be faced with challenges. However, take some time to enjoy your
status as a graduate student and keep pushing through it .

14. Apply for an assistantship!13
The experiences you gain from an assistantship can impact you for
the rest of your professional and personal lives. It gives you hands-
on experience in higher education and the opportunities to work with
administrators in the field, in addition to assisting with the cost of
graduate school.

15. Douglas Peters
Higher Education Portfolio 2014: M.Ed- Higher Education Administration
Georgia Southern University
End of Presentation