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May 18, 2021In this issue: Creating space for reflection and rest, payroll changes, and more.
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Tips for Grads: Creating space for reflection and rest
Congratulations! It is the summer and you just completed a very hard academic year and semester. Take a moment to congratulate yourself for making it through the last academic year. As may be natural for some of you, I find I am most reflective and the most in need of a break at the end of the school year. To capture some of these natural tendencies during times of transition, here are some prompts to help you build reflection and rest into your schedule.
Reflection
- Start by recognizing core challenges. Reflect on your own work rhythm in the last year.
- Did you lose some of the natural passion and motivation you typically bring into a project or assignment? If so, when in the semester?
- What times of day did you feel most productive?
- What goals had you set at the start of the semester or academic year? Give attention to things that are important to your relationships (personal and professional).
- Now, identify one problem area that you want to resolve. This can be anything from writing to saying no to requests.
- First focus on a larger topic and begin to narrow. For example, you may initially identify writing as a problem, but as you reflect you find that it’s finding time to write that is the real concern. Or perhaps, you’re finding that you don’t know where to start with your work, but you start to realize that it’s a sense of overwhelm from the amount of projects you hold.
- As you’re processing this problem area, talk it out with trusted friends or do some journaling.
- This week, make one small change towards addressing the problem you outline. For example, schedule writing during the time of day you are most productive. Build accountability by texting a friend whenever you start. Or maybe you try writing affirming quotes to hang up at your desk.
Rest
It’s important to acknowledge that rest will look different for each person, but here are some ideas for building in time for rest throughout the summer.
- Be proactive about taking a break to avoid burnout by scheduling breaks and free time.
- Schedule time to do something you enjoy. Maybe that means watching a TV show, getting outside, or eating lunch with a friend.
- Practice gratitude weekly and put it in your calendar and to-do list.
- Studies show writing in a gratitude journal a couple times a week has an impact on your happiness. Make sure you’re being intentional and taking time to really ruminate on the things you're grateful for. Try gratitude journaling prompts like this one from Greater Good in Action.
- Write thank you notes to colleagues, friends, family, loved ones, or community members.
Be patient and gentle with yourself
Change takes time. If you’re hoping to incorporate some of these changes into how you strategically plan, I encourage you to be patient with yourself and avoid comparing yourself to others. Take small steps that will eventually lead to big changes that ultimately lead to a happier and more balanced life.
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."
If you’re interested, check out our infographic for details and email gspd@grad.wisc.edu to let us know.
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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.
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Upcoming Professional Development EventsAll event times and deadlines are listed in Central Daylight Time (CDT).
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- Have you been putting off your writing all year by promising yourself that summer is when you'll buckle down and get it done?
- Are you finding yourself continuing to procrastinate and avoid your writing even though summer has arrived?
- Have you ever wondered why it is that you really want to write, but just don't do it until there's a looming external deadline?
In this webinar, Naomi Levy, PhD will help attendees learn:
- What resistance is and why academic writers experience it in pursuit of work we want and need to complete.
- How to identify what's holding you back from writing and completing your ___________ (article, dissertation, book manuscript, grant proposal, etc...).
- The three most common types of writing funk and how to move around them.
- How to create the types community, support and accountability for your writing that will help you to ride through whatever type of writing funk you are currently experiencing.
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Delta Summer and Fall Courses – Now Registering!
Does your future career include teaching and mentoring? Are you committed to making classrooms more inclusive? Would you like to connect with others on campus who are also excited about teaching? Register for a Delta Course!
SUMMER — Courses held online
FALL — Courses held on campus
- Beyond Rhetoric: Developing an Ethical & Equitable Practice | Tuesdays, 3:30 - 5:30 pm, starting Sept 14
- Improv to Improve Science Communication & Teaching | Wednesdays, 2 - 4 pm, starting Sept 8
- Leveraging Tech to Teach | Thursdays, 1 - 4 pm, starting Sept 9
- Navigating Challenges with Inclusive Teaching | Thursdays, 1:20 - 3 pm, starting Sept 16
- Effective Teaching in an Internationally Diverse Classroom | Fridays, 10 am - noon, starting Sept 10
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Writing Center Drop-In Graduate Writing Groups
Tuesdays | 9 am - noon
Wednesdays | 1 - 4 pm
Online
Peer Feedback: Personal Statements for Graduate Health Professions Programs (Multiple Sessions)
Group 2 | Wednesday, June 2 | 5 - 6:15 pm
Group 3 | Thursday, June 3 | noon - 1:15 pm
Online
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- Python
- HTML
- Photoshop 1
- Illustrator 1
- R
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Special Events & Symposia
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Reduced-cost parking options extended to 2021-22
UW Transportation Services has extended its temporary reduced- and low-cost parking options for graduate students to the 2021-22 academic year. Availability will vary and may be limited to a greater degree due to the anticipated increase of on-campus employees. Permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Reduced cost permits do not require a parking application. Semester and annual parking permits will be available to purchase starting Aug. 1; monthly parking permits will be available to purchase in October. Read more about 2021-22 parking options on campus. Transportation Services also provides updated information on other commuting options.
Payroll changes coming in July
All UW–Madison employees who are paid monthly will transition to a biweekly pay schedule beginning in July 2021. This change to a biweekly payroll applies to graduate student teaching assistants (TAs), research assistants (RAs), lecturer student assistants (LSAs), fellows, and trainees.
Now is the time to prepare for these changes. Here are some resources to help:
If you have questions about these changes and your individual circumstances, please contact the Office of Human Resources (2021payrollchanges@ohr.wisc.edu), your graduate program coordinator, or your program’s payroll contact.
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Summer group counseling available
The University Health Services summer 2021 group counseling schedule is available and includes groups specific to graduate students, international students, graduate women, graduate students of color, and dissertators. To join a group, schedule an Access Appointment in MyUHS or contact Mental Health Services at 608-265-5600 (option 2). During your consultation, let the counselor know that you’re interested in joining a group. Students who are interested in participating in a therapy group and not wanting additional mental health services can also call the front desk at 608-265-5600 (option 2) to schedule a Group Screening appointment.
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Help prevent the spread of COVID-19
With your help, we can limit the spread of COVID-19 by following health protocols, such as maintaining at least six feet of distance from people you don’t live with and wearing face coverings. UW–Madison continues to provide COVID-19 testing while also encouraging COVID-19 vaccinations. If you have questions about COVID-19 testing, vaccination, and safety measures, check out these top FAQs.
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| UW–Madison Graduate School endorses commitment to support graduate student mental health and well-being
This spring, the Council of Graduate Schools and The Jed Foundation released a report, “Supporting Graduate Student Mental Health and Well-being: Evidence-Informed Recommendations for the Graduate Community,” which provides an evidence base for future action to support graduate student well-being, along with recommendations for key stakeholders. The report’s findings and recommendations are intended to provide a starting point for discussion and action for all campus groups with a vested interest in the quality of graduate education. The UW–Madison Graduate School is proud to be one of over 150 universities to have endorsed the report’s statement of principles and demonstrate our commitment to supporting graduate student mental health and well-being.
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UHS services available remotelyUniversity 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.
Mental Health Resources for Grad StudentsAccording 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.
- SilverCloud. This online, self-guided resource provides treatment options 24 hours a day through evidence-based modules on anxiety, depression, body image, and stress. SilverCloud is designed to help students manage day-to-day stresses and improve resilience.
- YOU@WISC. This portal has tools and information to help you be well, with modules on stress management, self-care, social support, suicidal thoughts, mindfulness, academic wellness, and more.
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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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Please note: Some graduate students may be ineligible to hold graduate assistantship appointments. Be sure to check with your graduate program coordinator about your eligibility before applying.
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This postdoctoral research position will report to the Vice President of Research and Knowledge Development and will work as a social science researcher on the Understanding PhD Career Pathways project at the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS). This position involves conducting qualitative and mixed-method studies that explore career progression, professional development, and perceived workplace climate of PhD holders. This will entail: operationalizing research questions, performing review and synthesis of relevant literature, proposing and executing appropriate analytic approaches, and summarizing findings into conference proposals, manuscripts, and briefs. This is a full-time, one-year contract position, with an annual salary of $70,000 plus health insurance and paid sick and annual leaves and a start date on or around July 1, 2021. CGS is currently operating fully remote however the candidate would be expected to report to the Washington DC office around September 2021.
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