Graduate school in a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, and math) is different from undergrad in many ways. Your focus of your degree will most likely be on research (with the exception of specialized teaching focused degrees).
Change of Focus
In graduate school your main priority will be to learn research techniques and gain the skills to do independent research. You will be a member of a research lab led by a PI or professor. You will work closely with many other graduate students, post-docs, and staff members. You might also have the ability to work on an independent project.
Independent Research
You will work closely with a mentor when you begin graduate school. This might be the professor directly or a more senior member of the lab. They will begin showing you the research techniques you need to know to perform research in the lab. As you progress you will be able to take on more tasks and gain autonomy in your research project. By your later years you will be conducting your own project that will make up your written dissertation or thesis.
Studying in Depth
As you know, in undergraduate you study many different topics for your degree. For example, in my biology degree I took introductory classes, ecology, biochemistry, cell biology, and mammology. These varied in their subjects and topics. In graduate school you will focus on one particular area and many upper-level classes will go into depth in that area.
Higher Expectations
Graduate school is typically more challenging than undergraduate study. Not only is the coursework more challenging, but you will also need to balance research duties and teaching responsibilities. When you begin graduate school being organized will be a key for your success.
Overall, attending graduate school in a STEM field offers a more focused and tailored educational experience, with a greater emphasis on research and autonomy. Graduate school can be challenging and often people refer to it as a marathon, not a sprint. With perseverance and a love of your research you can succeed.
