Gradlife

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By: Samara Moore, Gradlife Ambassador

Are you an incoming graduate student who is eager for advice about how to succeed in your academic program after being out of school for a few years? Maybe you are an international student who will be living in Canada for the first time and would like support with your transition academically, professionally, and personally? Perhaps you are entering a research based Masters or PhD program and have concerns about navigating your relationship with your supervisor? Maybe you are a student and parent who will be completing a degree for the first time with family responsibilities, and would like to know more about the resources available to you?

Wherever you find yourself on this new and exciting journey that you are on as a graduate student, there are a number of resources available to support you during your time at U of T. A great way to help prepare for the transition to graduate school and to learn more about some of the relevant services available on campus, is to attend an orientation event. In addition to the information that you learn, attending orientation sessions can also help you to connect with other graduate students and get more involved in campus communities.

There are several orientation events happening on campus during the months of August and September. I have taken the liberty of compiling a list of them! If you come across orientation events that you believe may be relevant or helpful to you, I highly encourage you to mark them on your calendar and attend! Without further ado, check out the list!

GRADUATE STUDENT SPECIFIC

Graduate Student Focused St.George Campus Tours (Drop-In)

• When: August 19, 21, 23. Three Tours daily (12pm, 3pm, & 5:30pm)
• Where:  School of Graduate Studies (SGS Lounge), 63 St George St
• Tour of graduate student specific services and resources on campus. This tour is hosted by Gradlife! This is a drop-in tour, there is no registration required.

Gradlife Orientation Sessions (Students can attend one of the two sessions, depending on their stream)

Transitioning to Grad School:  Strategies for Personal Development, Academic Success and Making Connections in a Research Program 

• When: August 26, 1-5pm
• Where: Main Activity Hall, 569 Spadina Ave, Toronto ON, M6S3V7
• “Join this session to help you make the transition to grad life. Learn effective strategies for academic success and personal wellness, talking to people and and navigating your supervisor relationship and hear tips from current students in research programs. Lunch included.”
• Register

OR

Transitioning to Grad School: Strategies for Personal Development, Academic Success and Making Connections In a Professional Program

• When: August 27, 4-8pm
• Where: Main Activity Hall, 569 Spadina Ave, Toronto ON, M6S3V7
•  “Join this session to help you make the transition to grad life. Learn effective strategies for academic success and personal wellness, learn how to make conversations with other students and hear how to manage your workload and juggle life as a grad student from current students in professional programs. Light dinner included.”
• Register

Moving Forward Workshops (Accessibility Services Orientation for Graduate Students)

• When: August 15, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m
• Where: Myhal Centre, 350
• “Students with a disability are encouraged to check out the 3-day Moving Forward Orientation. This is an opportunity to develop the skills to meet new academic expectations, learn about academic and co-curricular programs and start building your network on campus.”
• Register

Teaching Assistants Training Program (TATP) Tri Campus TA Day

• When: August 28, 29, 30
• Where: TBA
•  “TATP seeks to prepare graduate students and teaching assistants for the realities and demands of teaching by providing a peer-based support network. Pedagogical training is an essential step in the professional development of graduate students in a variety of careers paths whether that be academe or other professional options.”
• Registration: TBA.

Grad  Step Up for Incoming International Students

• When: August 30, 8:30am to mid-afternoon
• Where: Hart House Building 7 Hart House Circle
•  “Are you an international student joining the University of Toronto’s graduate student community in the fall of 2018? Are you a graduate student who is new to U of T and hoping to make lasting connections with fellow grad peers? Do you have questions about navigating the expectations associated with U of T’s academic cultures and want to hear directly from students?” This event is hosted by the Centre for International Experience.
• Register & additional information. Students must register through the CLNx.

School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Orientation Day

• When: September 3. Four sessions: Research Stream 9am-10:30am, 11:30am-1pm. Professional Stream 2pm-3:30pm, 4:30pm-6pm.
• Where: Giovanni Room, 89 Chestnut
• “This is your opportunity to learn the essentials on how to succeed as a graduate student at U of T. Find out more about the School of Graduate Studies, interact with other graduate students, and hear valuable tips from current students and knowledgeable staff about how to make your time at U of T both productive and rewarding. Bring your questions — we will be happy to answer them!”
• Register

University of Toronto Graduate Student Union (UTGSU) Event

• When: September 3, Time TBA
• Where: TBA
•  Join the UTGSU for a day of prizes, games, swag bags, and much more! There will be information provided about the services that the UTGSU offers grad students, as well as information tables about graduate-specific groups on campus.
• No registration required. More information will be posted on the UTGSU website once the event details are finalized.

CAMPUS WIDE

Explore Hart House: Welcome BBQ

• When: Sept. 12, 12–2 pm
• Where: All four levels of Hart House
• “To kick off the new year, Hart House invites you to explore four floors of wellness, arts and dialogue experiences. Meet new people and begin planning your social calendar for the rest of the school year! Get three activity stamps (one of which must be from a red category event) on your passport and then finish your afternoon with a free barbecue, and a chance to win tickets to upcoming Hart House celebrations! Explore Hart House, where 85,000 students across all three campuses break from studying to meet, eat, and celebrate 365 days of the year!”
• No registration required. Click here for more information.

First Nations House Orientation & Open House (for Indigenous students)

• When: September 13. Orientation: 11am to 12:30 pm. Open House: 12:30 to 2pm.
• Where: First Nations House, 563 Spadina Cres
• “Join us at Orientation Day for new Indigenous students on Sept. 13 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. There will be swag bags, food, fun and games, socializing and more, followed by our annual Open House.”
• To register email julie.shepard@utoronto.ca.

Family Care Office Orientation for Students with Family Responsibilities

• When:September 14, 10-2pm
• Where: TBA
•  “The Family Care Office invites incoming and current student parents to Orientation 2019! Start building your support networks and learn how to be proactive and prepared so you can successfully navigate your degree while caring for others”
• To register yourself and/or your child, please email family.care@utoronto.ca or call 416.978.0951. For more information about this orientation click here.

Queer Orientation 2019

• When: September 23 – 28
• Where: TBA
•  “Queer Orientation (QO) is an annual week of LGBTQ-focused programming across all three campuses of U of T during the last week of September. QO is an opportunity for new and returning students, staff and faculty to make connections, engage in activities and have discussions related to LGBTQ+ communities. #UofTQO”
• For more information click here.