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Grand Valley State University

GRADUATE ASSISTANT RESOURCES

Tools & strategies for balancing course work, GA duties, and personal life

Time is of the essence: Finding the right balance between course work, GA duties, and conducting research requires considerable planning. As an identified professional in your domain there is a need to be organized and intentional about managing time and allocating focus or success and productivity.

Core Practices for GAs:

Proactive planning and organization

Implement a hierarchical task structure, break down tasks to track progress easily
Employ the use of visual tools like Gantt chart, google calendar, and project trackers
Prioritize time outside course work and GA engagements for personal growth and time

Optimize workflows, processes and disciplined execution

Create a schedule and automate repetitive tasks where possible
Record planned activities, desired output, planned outcomes, and goals
Prioritize tasks and execute them efficiently for productivity

Maintain regular communication with supervisor

Ensure expectations and goals are clarified
Provide feedback ASAP to ensure supervisor understands areas of improvement
Address any conflicts and problems early to foster a positive work environment

Summarize and review plans regularly

Conduct weekly/monthly review plans
Compare actual progress to the set plan of the project
Update plans regularly from the point of lessons learned and best practices

Quick GA Supervisor Checklist:

Dedicated work hours scheduled

Weekly or bi-weekly check-ins with supervisor 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

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