GradConnections bi-Weekly for online students

January 22, 2019

A newsletter just for you

New this semester, we're launching an online student version of our newsletter: GradConnections bi-Weekly for Online Students. Look for this special newsletter to arrive in your inbox every other Tuesday during the semester. The Tips for Grads column shares advice tailored to the experiences and challenges that online students face, while the rest of the newsletter provides resources that you can access from wherever you take your classes.

GradConnections bi-Weekly for Online Students is published by the Graduate School in partnership with the Division of Continuing Studies at UW–Madison. If you have questions or feedback about the newsletter, contact communications@grad.wisc.edu.

Tips for Grads: A new semester, a new work-life balance

Personal Effectiveness

Being in online courses without frequent face-to-face reminders, you’ll need to make sure you stay motivated and on top of your deadlines in your academic, professional and personal life this semester. To help you be successful in the coming months, try implementing these four quick tips:

Create calendar reminders. Look ahead in your syllabus, and create calendar events on your phone so you get a reminder every time you have an assignment due. Treat your coursework like you would treat a deadline for an important work presentation and schedule time to work on it. While you’re at it, don’t forget to block out some time for yourself too.
Manage your professional life. If you know of times when your professional and academic lives will clash this semester, sit down with your boss to discuss if there is any work flexibility to concentrate on your studies. Come prepared to the meeting with how the skills you gain will be beneficial and different ideas about how to stay on top of your work. If you are looking for work, check to see if employers offer flexible working hours for employees taking courses.
Strengthen support relationships. Talk to friends and family about your coursework to help them understand that you will have additional commitments this semester. Try coordinating with your family and friends to manage appointments or other events going on in your life.
Designate a personal workspace. Create a space in your apartment or house, or find a nearby coffee place or library where you can go to just work on your coursework. If you have a designated space you’ll be able to get your work done in a comfortable environment without distractions.

Professional and Career Development

Optimizing Your LinkedIn Profile | Career Development

Explore the benefits of how LinkedIn allows students and professionals to connect across networks and allows individuals to build personal brands. Breaking down each component of LinkedIn, students and professionals can optimize their settings to best meet their networking and career needs.

DiscoverPD: Your guide to professional development

DiscoverPD is an innovative tool for UW–Madison graduate students to advance their academic and professional goals. Review the nine facets of professional development, complete a self-assessment, and get a customized report and recommendations.

Wellness Tips

Did you know that as a student in your graduate program, you have access to some of the mental health and wellness resources available online through UW–Madison's University Health Services? The resources listed below are self-guided and available at any time to help you navigate the challenges of being a student.

YOU@WISC: An online portal with information and resources for resilience and well-being. It covers stress management, self-care and social support, anger management, suicidal thoughts, mindfulness, and more.

SilverCloud: A self-guided mental health resource that provides treatment options 24 hours a day, no referral from a mental health or medical provider needed. It includes evidence-based learning modules on anxiety, depression, body image, and stress, designed to help students manage day-to-day stresses and improve resilience.

You received this email because you are enrolled in an online program at UW–Madison. GradConnections bi-Weekly for Online Students is published by the Graduate School in partnership with the Division of Continuing Studies. Contact communications@grad.wisc.edu with questions or to submit content ideas.

Photos by UW–Madison, University Communications.

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