GRADUATE ASSISTANT SUPERVISOR RESOURCES

APPROACHES TO SUPPORTING GA TIME MANAGEMENT AND ACADEMIC BALANCE

Time is of the essence: Time management is critical to output and performance. The necessity of time management becomes even more evident in academic environments for supervisors who oversee graduate assistants and are generally concerned with promoting academic success and professional development among their students.

Core Practices for Supervisors:

Establish structured research timelines and provide clear guidance for graduate assistants

Define clear standardized project phases and expectations
Estimate a possible timeline for each task and section
Employ use of project tools such as a Gantt chart

Encourage organization skill enhancement and productive research environments

Implement a shared online project platform for ease of access and collaboration
Establish a suitable working schedule
Conduct regular debriefing sessions

Show interest in student plans beyond affiliated project

Regularly follow-up on academic progress and cocurricular plans
Offer support for integrated student planning tools that accommodate day-to-day life
Create a friendly and approachable environment to foster connection and openness

Establish clear roles and responsibilities that align with GA interests and academics

Create & regularly update task descriptions for ease of understanding and tackling
Define desired strategies and objectives for each role
Assign student roles that match their goals, interests, and allow room for learning

Quick GA Supervisor Checklist:

Dedicated student work hours scheduled

Weekly or bi-weekly check-ins scheduled

Project trackers developed example (from The Graduate School)

Updated calendars reviewed

OCTOBER 2025

401 W. Fulton St.

318C DeVos Center
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Unsubscribe from future emails

Subscribe to our email list.