Grad school hurdle is a term used to describe the challenges that students face when pursuing a graduate degree. The two main components of this challenge are the THESIS and PRELIMS. A THESIS is a long essay or dissertation written by a student as part of their degree requirements. PRELIMS are examinations taken by graduate students to demonstrate their knowledge in a particular field of study. Both of these components require a great deal of time, effort, and dedication in order to be successful.