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Message for new graduate students

KRSS Graduate Handbook 2014-2015

Dear New Graduate Students,
 
Welcome to UT and the Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies!
 
We are so excited for you to join our team. This cohort of new graduate students comes to us with outstanding credentials and qualifications. The fact that you are now a graduate student in our department means that you made it through a vigorous selection process. Yet, all this means so far is potential
 
Whether you are a new master’s student or a new PhD student, you are now competing at a new level. Just like the outstanding high school athlete who now competes in college or the standout collegian who made it to the professional level, you will experience that everyone else is just as “fast” (or smart) as you and works just as hard as you. You will have to raise your game.
 
This means putting yourself in the best position to succeed and it starts by reading the attached departmental Graduate Student Handbook. It might take you an hour to read it cover-to-cover, but the return on investment will be immense. Those who have taken the time to study the handbook are far more likely to be successful in our department. Every year, there are a few students who fail to graduate on time, because they missed a deadline, filled out a form incorrectly, or took a wrong course. Don’t be that person! Save yourself thousands of dollars! Don’t miss out on your dream job, because you didn’t have the degree when you needed it!
 
Saying “I didn’t know I had to do that,” when it is too late, won’t get you any sympathy. You had the information at your fingertips all along. You are an adult. You are a graduate student. Act like accordingly.
 
If you have questions about the information in the handbook, ask early and often. Your advisor and I would be glad to answer your questions or find out the answers.
 
See you at the orientation tomorrow!
 
Best,
 
Lars
 
Lars Dzikus,  PhD
Associate Professor, Sport Studies
Director of Graduate Studies
____________________________
University of Tennessee
Department of Kinesiology, Recreation, and Sport Studies
1914 Andy Holt Avenue
335 HPER Building
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-2700
P. 865.974.0451
F. 865.974.8981