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September 8, 2020In this issue: Tuition and fee deadlines, virtual learning spaces, flu shot clinic, and more.
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Tips for Grads: Time Management Strategies to Maximize Your Semester
Starting a fresh semester can be a great time to plan ahead, break harmful habits, and set goals for the upcoming months. However, it is also a time notorious for overpromising. In order to get the most out of your time each day and, ultimately, each semester, try utilizing these four time management strategies:
1. Set realistic goals
You are human and there are only 24 hours in the day. Therefore, you will need to assume (roughly) 8 of those hours will be devoted to sleeping and (again, roughly) 4 hours will be for eating, grooming, and exercise. Realistically, this leaves you with about 12 hours for everything else you need to do, including work, class, travel, studying, relaxation, etc… Putting all of these things into your calendar each day will help you think more pragmatically about how much time you really have.
2. Calendar high-priority items
Furthermore, it is most effective to place your high-priority items in your calendar first and to then fill in your low-priority items around them. Author Stephen Covey uses a metaphor of a jar filled with rocks and sand to illustrate this point: assuming the same volume of materials, would it be more effective to place the rocks or the sand in the jar first? Think of your high-priority items as your “rocks.” The low-priority items, or “sand,” will easily fill in the cracks.
3. Minimize distractions
Although it is often tempting, efficiently multitasking is a myth. To minimize the appeal of phones and other electronics, experiment with placing them out of reach, putting them in a “focus” mode, or even turning them off when you need to work. If you need uninterrupted time to concentrate, also try making yourself unavailable to others. Sticking to your calendar and sharing it with others can help communicate when you need time alone to focus.
4. Focus
The Pomodoro Technique is popular and well-researched method for maximizing focus and completing projects faster with less mental fatigue. Sounds great, right? Give it a try by focusing intensely for 25 minutes, then recharging with a 5-minute break. After four of these “pomodoros” have passed, you can then take a 15 or 20-minute break. Many apps have been created to help you employ this technique, although you can also use a simple timer.
This edition of Tips for Grads was adapted from Dr. Jenny Faust’s recent workshop, Time Management for Graduate Students, which was part of the Welcome Week series of events sponsored by the Graduate School Office of Professional Development.
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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The nature of the Academy is likely to exacerbate perfectionist tendencies, as opposed to minimize them. In this webinar, perfectionists will unite to get clear about the: causes and consequences of excessive perfectionism; features of academic life that intensify perfectionism; strategies to identify when your perfectionism is at work, assess whether it is useful or debilitating, and adjust your standards and behavior accordingly; and, the secret to finding real satisfaction in every step of writing. Click here to activate your NCFDD account through the UW–Madison institutional membership.
Recognizing the unique vulnerabilities Black academics (Blkademics) are facing in the current sociopolitical and campus climate, this interactive webinar will provide attendees with practical strategies to help them as they begin the fall semester. By increasing awareness, reflecting on holistic wellness needs, and getting clear on the strategies that resonate on a personal level, Blkademics will better be able to brace for and potentially embrace the semester ahead after attending this NCFDD webinar. Grounded in counseling and prevention psychology, Black feminism, and solution-focused theories, this webinar will offer Blkademics empirically-grounded and culturally-relevant strategies for surviving and being well as an academic today. Click here to activate your NCFDD account through the UW–Madison institutional membership.
By popular demand, Anne Krook is returning virtually to UW–Madison to host an interactive, online workshop about the non-academic job search. Join her to learn how employers outside of the academy perceive graduate students as potential employees, how to get ready for the non-academic job market while you are still in graduate school, and how to conduct a job search. You will leave the workshop better prepared to abstract what you currently do and to translate skills you already possess into what hiring committees are looking for in future employees. The two workshop sessions will have identical content, and the sessions are intended for both master's and doctoral students.
The first ever Academic Career Success Conference is for postdocs and graduate students seeking guidance in their early scholarly careers.
Experts will help you:
- Advance your career, despite COVID-19
- Successfully navigate the publication process, from manuscript to journal article and/or book
- Discover proven time management strategies that fit your work, life, and career
- Confidently apply for grants, awards, fellowships, and postdocs that boost your research and CV
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- Introduction to R
- Introduction to Stata
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Special Events & Symposia
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Student Assessment Services (SAS) will be offering a 12-week, virtual, small group intervention designed to address the core symptoms of ADHD, including habit change, goal setting, organizational systems, and self-accountability.
2020 Biohealth Summit
Wednesday, Sept 23, 30, & Oct 7 | Free for students - select "student" rate at checkout
Online
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Tuition and Fee Payment Deadlines
- Friday, Sept 11: Student Account payments (tuition and segregated fees) due for Fall 2020
- Friday, Sept 11: BadgerPay first installment due
- Friday, Dec 4: Graduate assistant segregated fee deferred due date for TAs, PAs, RAs, and LSAs
Enrollment Dates and Deadlines- Wednesday, Sept 9: Deadline for students to drop a Fall term course and have no record of it on the transcript (after: will show as DR)
- Wednesday, Sept 9: Deadline for students to withdraw for the term and have no record of it on the transcript (after: will show as W)
- Friday, Sept 11: Deadline for students to drop a Fall term course and receive 100% tuition adjustment
- Friday, Sept 11: Deadline for students to add, swap, or change sections in a Fall term course (after: need department permission)
- Friday, Sept. 25: Deadline for students to drop a Fall term course and receive 50% tuition adjustment
Guidance for employees with childcare needs available
Graduate assistants who are parents, guardians or caregivers may face challenges this fall as K-12 student attend school virtually and as childcare facilities close or reduce numbers. To support employees and to lessen these challenges, UW–Madison encourages units to work with employees to identify and offer workplace flexibilities. See the Guidance for Employees with Childcare Needs from the Office of Human Resources. In addition, the Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures (GAPP) for Project (PA), Teaching (TA), and Research (RA) Assistants includes a section on the Leave Benefits that graduate assistants earn through their appointment.
Virtual learning, study, and hangout spaces available
There are many available dedicated rooms and spaces located across campus for students. These include a mix of drop-in rooms, reservable rooms, and special-request rooms prioritized based on specific virtual learning needs. Students are required to follow current campus health and safety guidelines when using these rooms and spaces including maintaining physical distancing, wearing face coverings at all times, and sanitizing their workspaces before and after use. Find a virtual learning space in the Directory of On-Campus Spaces for Virtual Learning. Additionally, general spaces are available across campus for studying or hanging out between classes, with the list changing frequently. Finally, Library by Appointment offers access to library spaces, services, and collections.
New Parking Options for Graduate Students
Campus administration has authorized a temporary expansion of parking options. In a typical year, most work units do not include graduate students among their employees who are eligible to apply for parking. However, graduate students can now purchase certain parking passes and permits directly at Transportation Services locations, and some options are available to purchase online. View the fall 2020 graduate student parking options (PDF) for more information and purchase procedures.
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Monitor for symptoms of COVID-19
All members of the campus community should monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 daily with the COVID Symptom Tracker. If you have symptoms, immediately get tested and quarantine. COVID-19 symptoms include: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea. COVID-19 Testing Information >>
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| Get your free flu shot
Starting this week, University Health Services will offer free flu shots to all students. Members of the campus community can significantly reduce their chance of becoming ill by getting vaccinated. Visit uhs.wisc.edu/flushots for dates, times, and locations of flu shot clinics throughout the fall semester. Schedule your flu shot, or drop in at an upcoming flu shot clinic:
- Tuesday, Sept 8, 9 am - 7 pm, Nicholas Recreation Center
- Wednesday, Sept 9, 9 am - 7 pm, Nicholas Recreation Center
- Thursday, Sept 10, 9 am - 7 pm, Nicholas Recreation Center
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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.
- 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.
- Individual Counseling. University Health Services offers individual counseling conducted remotely over phone or video, with bilingual mental health providers available in Mandarin or Spanish. Counseling topics can be any issue that causes distress – emotional, psychological, interpersonal, or academic.
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Graduate Student Assistance and Support
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.
Graduate Student Assistance Drop-In Hours
Every Wednesday from 2 - 4 pm, Elaine will be hosting virtual drop-in hours to discuss any concerns/issues you might be facing, help you get connected to campus resources, and generally be a support person. To join, please visit Elaine's personal room in Zoom anytime between 2-4 pm on Wednesdays. Students will meet with Elaine one-on-one, and when you enter the Personal Room you will be placed in the lobby until Elaine is available to talk. If you face any technical issues, please email Elaine at 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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The NSF GRFP recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported STEM disciplines who are pursuing research-based master's and doctoral degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) or in STEM education. The five-year fellowship includes three years of financial support including an annual stipend of $34,000 and a cost of education allowance of $12,000 to the institution. Early-career graduate students may apply. If you are interested in applying, join the Graduate School for a NSF GRPF application virtual workshop series.
The Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program offers opportunities for independent research or study related to Smithsonian collections, facilities, and/or research interests of the Institution and its staff. Members of the Smithsonian professional research staff serve as advisors and hosts to fellows. The program offers fellowships for research and study in a variety of fields and encourages applications of an interdisciplinary nature. Graduate Student Fellowships are available for students who have not yet advanced to candidacy if in a doctoral program. Predoctoral Fellowships are available for PhD candidates.
The goal of the Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) program is to prepare graduate students for science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) careers critically important to the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science mission, by providing graduate thesis research opportunities at DOE laboratories. The research opportunity is expected to advance the graduate students’ overall doctoral thesis while providing access to the expertise, resources, and capabilities available at the DOE laboratories/facilities.
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