|
|
|
October 19, 2021In this issue: Take a break with a Break Box, register for the upcoming mentorship workshop, and more.
| |
|
Tips for Grads: Take a break with a Break Box
This is an unusual year, being the first semester back fully in-person but with the pandemic still ongoing, and the burnout is palpable around campus. One of my favorite coping exercises for when things get overwhelming is what I like to call my Break Boxes. I’ve used them at various times in my academic career and have always been thankful I took the time to put them together.
The idea is that you fill a box with items that make you happy, like little treats that you don’t have on a regular basis, and things you know will brighten your day. When you need a break or a pick-me-up, get the box and pick one item to give yourself a boost. This isn’t a substitute for medical or psychological care, and if you need those things, you should seek them out. But I find that tiny boosts every so often can be the pick me up I need to not just get to the finish line, but to find moments of joy on the way there.
Want to make your own box? Here’s how you do it:
- First, collect your items. Examples of things I’ve put in my boxes in the past include:
- Snacks: I always include a candy I love but try not to eat too often (I love sour candy but for the sake of my teeth I try to keep it a special treat), more expensive tea or coffee than what I have normally, or any little snack that I know will brighten my day.
- Gift Cards: Sometimes you want to do something nice for yourself but the thought of spending more money when you’re already anxious makes it all worse! Part of the beauty of a Break Box is being able to make that investment for yourself in advance with one or two $10 or $15 gift cards to some of your favorite places, like an independent bookstore, a plant nursery, or a place that sells your favorite sandwich or meal. I usually keep the amount lower, so I don’t totally break the bank, but make it enough to offset the cost of buying myself something nice or delicious when I really need a pick me up.
- Fillers: Some memorable filler items I’ve included in the past have been candles, an extra charging cable I had lying around because I knew I would have lost or destroyed mine by the end of the semester (and I was correct), and little notes from myself or friends with funny jokes or words of encouragement. Some of the best things I have put in my boxes haven’t even been purchased items, but things I took the time to realize my future self would need to be able to find in a hectic time.
- Next, pick the box. I’ve always used a small cardboard box to house my items. Shoeboxes are ideal for this purpose. Sometimes, if I’m feeling especially excited, I’ll take some time to draw on the box or wrap it in wrapping paper. It’s an excellent wellness activity and helpful so you remember that what is in the box is not, in fact, shoes.
- Finally, put it away, but don’t forget about it! You don’t want to hide your box so well that you fully forget it exists, but you also don’t want it right in front of you, otherwise the contents will be gone in a week. I’ve found that putting it away in my closet but making notes in my calendar once a month to remind myself it exists is a good compromise.
Everyone’s Break Box will look different, but whether you fill it to the brim or just pick two or three little items to be there for you when you really need a break, the point is to do something for yourself. That is an investment always worth making.
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.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
Upcoming Professional Development EventsAll event times and deadlines are listed in Central Time.
| |
|
Eileen Callahan, the Graduate School’s Director of Professional Development, will help you prioritize your needs and build confidence before approaching a potential mentor. You will leave the workshop with a mentoring map and better prepared to reach out to a potential mentor. Participants will leave the workshop able to recognize mentoring roles; identify potential mentors and initiate a relationship; evaluate their goals and communicate them to a mentor. Intended for master’s and doctoral students. The event will consist of a presentation and individual reflection portion (45 minutes) and time for networking and discussion after the presentation (optional). A light snack will be provided.
For graduate students finalizing coursework and beginning independent research, or those who anticipate doing so soon: This workshop features presentations, hands-on activities, and advice from faculty and experienced dissertators to help you make a smooth transition from coursework to independent research and writing. Learn practical strategies for focusing on your writing, managing your time, and developing a supportive environment as you progress through the final stages of completing your degree. Participants will be offered a box lunch.
Three Minute Thesis® Semi-Finals
Thursday, Oct 28 | 4 - 6 pm
Memorial Union, Check TITU
Wednesday, Nov 3 | 4 - 6 pm
Health Sciences Learning Center, room 1306
Come cheer on your friends and colleagues as they compete for prizes and a spot in the Three Minute Thesis® Finals. Free and open to the public. No registration required for audience members. Registration for competitors is closed. Snacks will be provided.
Welcome Week event recordings available
In case you couldn’t join us live, captioned recordings of some of our Graduate Student Welcome Week events are now available for on-demand viewing:
| |
| Become a 2022 Scientific Teaching Fellow
The Scientific Teaching Fellows Program is a year-long program for graduate students and postdocs to learn about and develop innovative and effective ways to teach biology. Teaching Fellows learn about research-based teaching approaches in a course on college science teaching, work with faculty mentors and other partners to develop instructional materials that engage students in active learning, and then team teach a course for first-year students. Throughout the program teaching fellows gain in-depth preparation and first-hand teaching experience for their first faculty position, all with the support of a community of other science educators. For more information and to apply, please visit the Scientific Teaching Fellows webpage. Questions? Email Dr. Cara Theisen (connect@wiscience.wisc.edu), Teaching Fellows Program Director. Apply by Friday, November 12.
| |
|
Morgridge Center seeks underrepresented graduate student feedback
Staff at the Morgridge Center for Public Service are leading a research study that aims to enhance civic engagement programming at UW–Madison. The study, headed by Faculty Director Earlise Ward and Graduate Project Assistant CC Vang, hopes to gain a better understanding of how underrepresented racial and ethnic minority students are participating in civic activities and identify ways to support student’s civic engagement. Graduate students can help the research team by taking a 15-minute online civic engagement survey or by emailing CC Vang (cvang33@wisc.edu) to schedule a 15-minute interview in-person or on Zoom. The study will conclude on Nov. 1. Read more about the civic engagement research study.
| |
|
- Excel 2: Functions
- Python Intermediate
- Excel 2: Data Visualization
- Intro to SolidWorks
- Photoshop 1
- Introduction to Web Scraping in R
- Data Wrangling in R
- Multiple Imputation Using Stata
R Reports
Friday, Oct 22 | 10 am - noon
Online
Registration full; waitlist available
| |
|
Special Events & Symposia
| |
|
2021 UW–Madison Diversity Forum
Tuesday, Nov 2 - Wednesday, Nov 3 | 8:45 am – 4:30 pm
Hybrid virtual conference with limited in-person seating available | Registration is open now
| |
|
Nominations for Campus-Wide TA Awards due Nov 8
UW–Madison employs master’s and doctoral teaching assistants across a wide range of disciplines, and their contributions in the classroom, lab, studio, and field are essential to the University's educational mission. In order to recognize excellence on the part of campus TAs, the Graduate School, with administrative and financial assistance from the College of Letters & Science, sponsors six categories of awards for teaching assistants across the UW–Madison campus. These awards are open to all UW–Madison TAs enrolled in master’s and doctoral programs. Department may nominate up to three TAs per year. Contact your DGS or graduate program coordinator if you are interested in being nominated. Read more about the TA awards.
Professional Development Grant for Student Organizations
Is your student org looking for funding? The Graduate School encourages graduate student organizations to apply for grants of up to $1,000 to be used toward professional development programming that directly benefits groups of graduate students. The deadline to apply for funding is November 1, 2019. Read more and apply for the student organization professional development grant.
| |
|
Upcoming flu shot clinics
University Health Services offers free flu shots to all students and employees. Upcoming flu shot clinics will take place from 8:30 am - noon, and 1 - 4:30 pm on the following dates:
- Wednesday, Oct 20 | Memorial Union
- Monday, Oct 25 | Nielsen Tennis Stadium
- Tuesday, Oct 26 | Nielsen Tennis Stadium
- Wednesday, Oct 27 | Nielsen Tennis Stadium
| |
|
Protect yourself and others from COVID-19
All students, employees, and visitors to campus are required to wear masks when inside campus buildings, unless working alone inside an office or lab with the door closed or while actively eating and drinking. Employees and students who have not shared proof of COVID-19 vaccination with UHS are required to test weekly on campus. University Health Services continues to offer free COVID-19 vaccines to all students and employees. For more information, see the COVID-19 Response FAQs.
| |
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Healthy Minds Program app. Train your mind to be more focused, calm, and resilient through meditation with the Healthy Minds Program. This program is informed by research from the Center for Healthy Minds at UW–Madison and is free to use.
| |
| 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.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
|
|
|
