Gradlife

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Written by: Kat Clark, Gradlife Intern

It’s about that time again, when we calculate just how many official days there are left in summer (or is that just me?), and how many more times we can sit on a patio or study in the sunshine before the campus calls us back to hide in our labs, lecture halls, offices, and libraries.

For some reason, even though most grad students still have research and course work to do over the summer, those May-August months still seem like a little bit of a break, and we’re always just a little bit surprised when we look up and realise that it’s nearing the end of August.

To make that welcome or welcome back to campus a little easier, we’ve compiled a list of the some of the orientations available to grad students, where you’ll learn about opportunities for you to get involved on campus (and find that very important support system and community), and how to be proactive in building a successful graduate career.

Without further ado, take a big breath (you’ve got this), and here we go!

Date	Time	Event	Meeting Place
Aug. 28th Aug. 30th Sep. 1st	Drop-in at 12pm, 3pm, & 530pm	Grad Campus Tours! Our grad-focused tours are back for their second year in a row, and we’ll be visiting locations/services that are grad-friendly/focused. Don’t worry, we’ll tell you where the good food is, too.	School of Graduate Studies Student Lounge, 63 St. George St. (PS – there will be cookies & coffee in the lounge for tour folks, tell your friends)
Aug. 31st	8:30am – 6:30pm	Grad Step Up! Are you a new, international grad student? Join the Centre for International Experience (CIE) and the SGS for a full-day orientation that will connect you to Toronto & U of T (plus, there’s a social).	Hart House Building 7 Hart House Circle Toronto, ON M5S 3H3
Sep. 5th	10:00am – 12:00pm 2:00pm – 4:00pm 5:00pm – 7:00pm	School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Orientation This day will be filled with a resource fair & panelist discussions that target both research & professional students.	JJR MacLeod Auditorium, 1 King’s College Circle, Rm 2158
Sep. 6th	4:00pm – 8:00pm 5:00pm – 7:00pm	Gradfest! Come get a little more social and meet some of your fab grad peers at the Grad Student Union’s (GSU) annual resource fair and FREE BBQ. So, grab a new friend and come say hi! PS. The GSU is still hiring some positions for the Fall term, so this is a great time to connect.	Graduate Student Union 16 Bancroft Ave.
Sep.11th	9:00am – 3:00pm	Transitioning to Life as a Grad Student Join our Gradlife team, the Conflict Resolution Centre, peer panelists, the Academic Success Centre, & Mentorship Programs for tips & tricks on succeeding in grad school.	Main Activity Hall Multi-Faith Centre 569 Spadina Ave Toronto, ON M5S 2J7
Sep.16th	10:00am – 1:30pm	Family Care Orientaion Are you a grad student with family responsibilities? Come by OISE to start building support for your time at U of T and learn what resources are available to help you get proactive about balancing your family and school life.	OISE 252 Bloor Street West, Rm 5150

And there you have it, folks! Whether you’re a new grad student discovering U of T for the first time, or you’ve called U of T your home for some time, the orientations and support workshops available to grad students will help you start the 2017/2018 year off right. Above all, we’re hoping that you come out to learn not just about how to succeed academically, but where you can build your support networks, make friends, and find some community during your time at U of T.

We’re excited for the year to start, and are hoping you are just as jazzed as we are about starting this year together.