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October 18, 2022In this issue: Federal Student Loan Debt Relief application now available, last chance to register for Three Minute Thesis®, and more.
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Tips for Grads: Calendaring for the rest of the semester
October! The month of scary things. Scariest to me right now? That it’s officially the middle of the semester. I usually plan out my schedule and assignments to the halfway point of the syllabus and tell myself the rest is Future Olivia’s problem. Well, Future Olivia is here and she’s responsible for making sure she knows what to read for next week.
But I’m going to take it a step further and use this natural middle point to map out what the rest of the semester will look like. While it may sound like a lot for me to suggest you take time in your schedule that may or may not exist to sit down and plan out what’s coming months down the line, you’ll be grateful that you did. Here are some tips for calendaring the rest of your semester:
- Prioritize by magnitude: Rather than going chronologically, I go by the big ticket items in my schedule first, and fill in the smaller, lower-priority items later: class, assignment, job, etc. My biggest non-negotiables for this semester look like a final paper, my friend’s wedding, and a big work event. Yours may look different, you may have a ton this semester and not as many the next. But taking some time to figure out what the biggest benchmarks are will help you with my next suggestion…
- Know what’s in pen & what’s in pencil: This only applies to a physical calendar, which there are arguments for holding onto, but stay with me. Priorities like a research paper deadline or being in my friend’s wedding aren’t negotiable, but wanting to go to my professor’s office hours are, in that this is something I could reschedule if I need to. However, if you have a habit of canceling things to make room for other things, and you wish you didn’t, try using this tip to train yourself into committing to things you may otherwise bail out on by writing it on a physical calendar in pen, as opposed to pencil, which you can erase.
- Work backwards: If you have a final paper, work project, or report due during finals, another tactic to consider for effective calendaring is working backwards to add benchmarks that lead up to a final product. Anything from “draft due on December 5” all the way down to “have one paragraph written by 11:59 pm” on every Sunday for the month of November are great way to try this out and see if it helps you manage your bigger assignments.
- Schedule ‘you’ time: If you’ve been reading my Tips columns over the past year and a half you may already know what I’m about to say. Schedule breaks! It is essential that you plan downtime, treats, breaks, or moments of calm for yourself. It is not frivolous or supplemental to do so, and is in fact a key factor in maintaining productivity and balance in your life as a graduate student. Scheduling these things with the same level of reverence that you schedule your graduate work will pay off in the short and long term.
GradConnections Weekly is looking for fresh perspectives on the graduate student experience.
If you have advice, counsel, or tips for UW grad students, you’re invited to write a guest column for Tips for Grads.
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DiscoverPD is an innovative tool for UW–Madison graduate students to advance their academic and professional goals. Review the eight facets of professional development, complete a self-assessment, and get a customized report and recommendations.
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Upcoming Office of Professional Development EventsAll event times and deadlines are listed in Central Time.
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The Graduate School Office of Professional Development in collaboration with the Employee Disability Resources Office, McBurney Disability Resource Center, and the College of Letters & Science presents an online workshop on disability and accommodations in the workplace. Topics will include: what is a disability, examples of some common accommodations, things to consider when disclosing disability, and navigating your rights and resources. Whether you are looking for tips on how to navigate the workplace with a disability, or are interested in learning how to create an accessible and inclusive work environment as a future supervisor, this workshop is for everyone.
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Can you explain your research in 3 minutes? Find out by participating in UW–Madison's 2022-23 Three Minute Thesis® (3MT®) competition! 3MT® is an international research communication competition in which graduate students have three minutes to explain their research to a general audience. Students in research-based master’s and PhD programs from all disciplines are eligible to compete. All competitors will first compete in the semi-finals on November 2. All finalists selected at semi-finals will receive $100 cash prizes; finals will be held in February 2023 where winners receive cash prizes of up to $1,000. Hurry! Registration closes tomorrow (Wednesday, Oct 19)!
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What does it mean to be a leader? At this event, you will learn how to tap into your own leadership potential, the difference between leadership and management, coalition building, the importance of "followership," and how to lead from wherever you are. Cory Hamilton, Assistant Director of Leadership Development for the Center for Leadership and Involvement, will facilitate this interactive workshop for graduate students. Pizza will be served.
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This introductory workshop will present strategies to support both student learning and well-being by cultivating a welcoming and empowering learning environment. Join us to explore evidence-based health-promoting practices and to consult with others and workshop applying these strategies in courses you teach or anticipate teaching in your future career.
Discussions can engage learners in deeper thinking, foster community, and promote student motivation. In this workshop, you will develop a toolbox to design classroom discussions and facilitate learning communities, now or in your future career. We will explore approaches, build skills, and consider practical applications for synchronous discussions. Through hands-on experiences, you will leave with a set of strategies for creating effective, inclusive discussions that support a collaborative learning environment.
In this two-part workshop, participants will start making a teaching development plan. Their plans will take into account their current context as well as align with their personal and professional goals. In session one, participants will learn how to orient themselves in their teaching development pathway and make an inventory of their local teaching resources. They will also develop understanding about why future faculty need a teaching mentor network that includes people different from their research mentors. The second session will help participants make a plan for building their mentoring network around their teaching development goals. We will talk about defining success as a teacher and how to ask for mentorship. We will hear from graduate student and faculty panelists about their teaching mentorship highlights and challenges. We will end our workshop series with time to form peer mentor networks.
Get concrete ideas and plan how you’ll run your office hours — either remotely or onsite — to ensure your students get their needs met, and take advantage of collaborative opportunities while managing technical challenges. Office hours are a chance to build relationships and support student success, as well as answer specific questions. This workshop is designed for graduate students and post-docs looking to build skills for both current and future teaching roles, and all current and future instructors are welcome to join.
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Additional Upcoming Professional Development Events
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There’s so much we can’t anticipate before starting graduate school or a postdoc… like how difficult finishing a dissertation can be! Or how to build relationships with advisors during our postdoc. Or how to manage imposter syndrome and work/life balance. This year’s Academic Career Success Conference will help unveil some of the hidden expectations and challenges graduate students and postdocs experience in academia. Upcoming sessions include:
- Building Relationships During Your PhD and Postdoc
- Mental Health and Well-Being
- How to Build Skills That Will Lead To Career Success During Your PhD or Postdoc
Finding a successful path toward tenure and promotion is not a one-size-fits-all process. This webinar will address a number of the most common questions many faculty at small liberal arts colleges try to answer: How can I be strategic about service? Is there a writing routine I can balance with my teaching schedule? Which kinds of publications should I prioritize, and which ones can I actually get done? We will identify strategies for feeding three birds with one scone within the liberal arts context.
Writing at the graduate level is hard work. Between researching, formatting, and structuring a cohesive paper, it’s a challenging task to write and edit an academic paper. But there is a process you can follow to help you write effectively. In this webinar, the Beyond Grad School team will share with you tips and strategies you can apply to write a paper that is organized and conveys your key points with success.
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Teaching & Mentoring
Explore more teaching-related professional development events from the Delta Program.
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- Challenging Conversations, Wednesday, Oct 19, noon - 1:30 pm, Multicultural Greek Council Room (4th floor), Memorial Union
- Equity and Inclusion in Group Work, Friday, Nov 4, noon - 1:30 pm, Union South (Check TITU)
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Part of the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) SmartSkills Series. UW–Madison graduate students and postdocs can join the NPA for free as an affiliate member.
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- Audacity
- Python
- Photoshop 1
- Intro to Web Development
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Special Events & Symposia
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In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, University Health Services (UHS) is partnering with University Housing to host a resource and awareness event. It will introduce the signs of domestic abuse and dating violence as well as the resources that are available to survivors on campus and in the community. Representatives from UHS Survivor Services and Violence Prevention will be present to speak to rights and resources, as well as introduce the Light in the Window campaign.
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Winter 2022 commencement deadlines- Friday, Oct 21: Last day to purchase academic attire from the UW Book Store to arrive in time for the December 2022 ceremony
UHS Survivor Services expands to meet student needs
University Health Services (UHS) has expanded its Survivor Services staff and services to increase access to comprehensive and responsive care for student survivors of sexual assault and relationship violence. This includes coordinated medical, mental health, and advocacy services. The expanded services include additional mental health providers, an additional advocate, and a new director position created to lead the expansion. Read more about the UHS Survivor Services expansion.
Free energy- and water-efficient home items available to students living off campus
In partnership with Focus on Energy and Campus Leaders for Energy Action Now (CLEAN), the Office of Sustainability is providing UW–Madison students who live off campus free energy- and water-efficient items like lightbulbs, showerheads, and power strips. The promotion runs through October 31; students can visit the purchasing portal and use promo code HE-UWM.
Federal Student Loan Debt Relief application now available
The Federal Student Loan Debt Relief application is now live and available to submit. This applies to any Federal Direct Loans disbursed by June 30, 2022; it does not include institutional loans from UW–Madison or private loans. The application should take less than five minutes and is available in both English and Spanish. Apply before November 15 to receive relief before the payment pause expires on December 31. Borrowers have until December 31, 2023 to submit their application for student loan debt relief. Note that Wisconsin residents will have to pay state taxes on any canceled debt. Find more details and the application link on the Office of Student Financial Aid website.
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- Wednesday, Oct 19 | Waisman Center (Auditorium) | 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday, Oct 20 | Carson Gulley (Upper) | 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Monday, Oct 24 | Memorial Union (Festival Room) | 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Tuesday, Oct 25 | College Library (First floor) | 4 - 9 pm
Updated COVID-19 boosters are available at flu shot clinics. Students and employees can boost their immune systems and help keep campus healthy this fall with a flu vaccine and Pfizer bivalent booster, conveniently available together for no cost at vaccine clinics across campus this fall. Visit the UHS website for more information and to schedule your appointments today.
UW–Madison graduate students and postdocs can join the NPA for free as an affiliate member.
Old Time Barn Dance
Saturday, Oct 22 | 6:30 - 8:30 pm
The Old Barn on Capitol View, 4796 Capitol View Rd., Middleton
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Mental Health Resources for Grad Students
According to the 2019 Healthy Minds Survey, 93% of UW–Madison graduate students do not think any less of a peer who seeks mental health care, and 89% of UW–Madison graduate students who used mental health care found it helpful.
- Let’s Talk. Sign up for a free, informal, and confidential consultation about any topic at locations across campus. Common concerns include stress, sadness, relationships, academic performance, financial struggles, and family problems.
- Connecting Badgers Podcast: This podcast, available on Spotify, is hosted by UHS providers and offers tips for students to promote their mental health in order to strengthen student wellbeing and success.
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UHS services available remotely
University Health Services is committed to supporting you. Many medical, counseling, and wellness services are available by phone and accessible online. Find out more on the UHS Remote Health and Connection webpage.
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| Graduate Student Support and Assistance
The Dean of Students Office provides resources to students struggling with a variety of issues and can be your go-to spot for assistance as a graduate student. To contact the Graduate and Professional Student Assistance Specialist Elaine Goetz-Berman directly, email egoetz2@wisc.edu.
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| Hostile and Intimidating Behavior
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is committed to preventing hostile and intimidating behavior (HIB) and will take prompt and appropriate corrective action whenever it learns that it has occurred. If you have experienced HIB, there are resources to help and staff available to talk.
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Please note: Graduate students enrolled in service-based pricing programs, such as online and accelerated programs, are ineligible to receive tuition remission. Be sure to check with your graduate program coordinator and read your admission and appointment letters carefully to understand your benefits eligibility.
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The Critical Language Scholarship Program seeks participants from a variety of fields, backgrounds, and career paths, with the goal of building a cadre of Americans who speak critical languages at high levels in government, business, arts and culture, science and engineering, health and medicine, education, research, and other fields.
The AERA Minority Dissertation Fellowship Program in Education Research seeks proposals from advanced graduate students who are from racial and ethnic groups that are underrepresented in higher education. The Fellowship Program encourages studies that examine a wide range of education research topics such as students’ school experiences, STEM education, and learning, ethnic studies/curriculum; tracking; measurement of achievement and opportunity gaps; English language learners; or bullying and restorative justice. These studies may focus on students, teachers, schools, and/or educational contexts across multiple educational stages including early childhood education and development, k-12 education, postsecondary education, and the workforce. Studies should use rigorous scientific research methods within quantitative, qualitative, archival, or mixed method techniques. Studies that examine issues of specific racial and ethnic groups, social classes, genders, or persons with disabilities are encouraged and supported by the Fellowship Program.
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Saffron is Claire Lundberg's pandemic kitty. She continues to provide Claire, a graduate student in Chemistry, comfort and amusement with her favorite game: playing fetch with her toy mice!
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