|
|
|
March 9, 2021In this issue: Picture a Scientist, Graduate Career Diversity Panels, and more.
| |
|
Tips for Grads: Counteract the Mid-Semester Sinking FeelingBy Lydia Gandy-Fastovich, PhD student
As we begin to approach the middle of the semester, some of us might be experiencing the “mid-term sinking feeling” or a general sense of overwhelm at all things you should be doing. While this feeling is common when our work follows the academic calendar, it can feel especially strong during a turbulent year with so much uncertainty still around us. In an effort to share resources and best practices, here are some tips on re-adjusting and tinkering with our schedule and obligations to help shake that sinking feeling:
- Check-in and reflect: How is the semester going? What is working well? What is holding you back? Have your accountability tactics held strong through the semester? Or might you need to check in and re-evaluate?
- Implement an adapted version of the “Brunsma Research Queue” or the BRQ. This is a visual flow chart, of sorts, for keeping your projects organized and prioritized and on the forefront of your mind. See an example BRQ shared by Kerry Anne Rockquemore, from the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD).
- Create a clear and realistic strategic plan for the remainder of the semester. It’s never too late to create a strategic plan for the semester. Read our previous tip column on creating a plan for the semester.
- Begin the Sunday Meeting (it doesn’t have to only be Sundays). Put time on your schedule to map out the week, ensuring time to work on all your projects. It’s important to be realistic with your deadlines and plan accordingly. If you know you work better in the morning, try scheduling your more intellectually intense work for the morning.
- Touch base with your accountability groups and support structures. Can you start up your writing or working group again? Can you start a new working group with peers to hold each other accountable to your semester goals?
It’s nice to take stock and reflect on what is and is not working for us, especially as we approach the middle of the semester. By taking proactive steps to re-evaluate and adjust our workflow, we can finish the semester strong.
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.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
Upcoming Professional Development EventsAll event times and deadlines are listed in Central Standard Time (CST).
| |
|
What can grad students in STEM disciplines do with their PhD? Join L. Maren Wood, PhD (Founder of Beyond the Professoriate) as she talks to three PhDs about their career paths. After attending this webinar, you will be able to: articulate the routines and challenges of a STEM PhD working in industry, Identify common careers for STEM PhDs outside of academia, and apply networking strategies to assist in your industry job search.
Register to receive an access link to view Picture a Scientist (97 minutes, in English, on Vimeo) independently starting on Friday, March 12 through Sunday, March 14. You will receive an access link within 24 hours after registration, starting Thursday, March 11. To promote campus-wide engagement, we particularly encourage members of the UW–Madison community who are not women in STEMM disciplines to also participate in these events.
UW–Madison faculty, staff, and postdocs can register by Saturday, March 13, at 11:59 pm CT to hear Dr. Jo Handelsman (moderator) and a group of panelists share their perspectives and discuss Picture a Scientist.
UW–Madison students can register by Saturday, March 13, at 11:59 pm CT to hear Dr. Anne Pringle (moderator) and student panelists share their perspectives and discuss Picture a Scientist.
| |
|
Would you like to be more comfortable and effective when speaking in front of a crowd? Tyler Poteet, Vice President of the Power of Public Speaking (POPS), will describe the different forms of public speaking and why preparation, practice, and review are vital to improving your skills. Tyler will describe his journey conquering his fear of public speaking and ultimately finding success as a speaker. Furthermore, Tyler will relate this back to the POPS software platform he created, sharing how the AI-powered software might be helpful for you. After the event, attendees will have the chance to practice presentation skills using the AI speech tutor. You will enter a code to have free access to the software for use on three of your speeches. There is no time limit to use the software, and no payment information will be collected.
Our lived experiences, natural behavioral styles, and strengths make each of us unique and contribute to our perspectives, our ways of working, and how we show up in the context of a team. By the end of this session, you will expand your understanding of a team, learn how our identities and social styles impact team dynamics, and learn how you can avoid common pitfalls that hinder effective teamwork.
| |
|
- Excel 2
- Python Intermediate
- HTML
- Data Wrangling in Stata (Independent Study)
- Data Wrangling in R (Independent Study)
- Python Office Hours
| |
|
Special Events & Symposia
| |
|
- Managing Workloads, Thursday, March 11, 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Focus on the essentials of getting the work done (e.g., organization, motivation, prioritizing, and procrastination). - Grad-ification, Thursday, March 18, 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Focus on the importance of personally thriving with topics around impostor phenomena, work/life balance, and positivity. - Life in the Grad Lane, Thursday, March 25, 1:00 - 2:30 pm
Focus on resilience & the art of managing the uncertainty of the grad school process (COVID, job market, advisor relationships, etc.)
Catalysts for Science Policy (CaSP) will be hosting a discussion highlighting lessons from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) 2021 Annual Meeting. We will have breakout rooms focused on different themes from the conference including science policy; science communication, outreach, and advocacy; science diplomacy; and awesome research!
| |
| Enrollment Dates and Deadlines
- March 22, 2021 – Enrollment appointment times for summer term assigned to students (throughout week)
- March 26, 2021 – Deadline for graduate students to request pass/fail or credit/audit options for a spring term course
- March 26, 2021 – Deadline for graduate students to change variable credits (after: need instructor permission & dean approval)
- March 26, 2021 – Deadline for students to drop a spring term course (after: need academic dean approval)
- March 26, 2021 – Deadline for students to add a spring term course with department permission (after: need academic dean approval)
Eligibility for grocery assistance program expands to certain college students
Students who meet certain criteria are now eligible to participate in Wisconsin FoodShare and receive assistance to purchase groceries during the COVID-19 pandemic. The provision loosening federal restrictions on these students was included in the COVID-19 relief bill passed by Congress and signed into law in December 2020.
UW–Madison students who are enrolled at least half time, have a completed 2020-2021 FAFSA, and meet one of the following criteria are eligible:
- Eligible to participate in state or federal work study
- Have an expected family contribution (EFC) of $0 as reflected on a submitted 2020-21 Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA).
If students do not have a 2020-2021 FAFSA completed, one can be submitted at fafsa.gov. Eligible students interested in signing up for FoodShare should submit an application at Wisconsin’s ACCESS website, where they can also see if they are eligible for other support. To be successful, students will have to submit documents that prove their eligibility.
The UW–Madison Office of Student Financial Aid provides FAFSA, financial aid, and Basic Needs support and resources. Students that need help completing the Wisconsin’s ACCESS application can connect with a Basic Needs specialist at basic.needs@finaid.wisc.edu. Additionally, students can find further information on basic needs resources. For FAFSA assistance, students can meet with a financial aid advisor.
| |
|
Help prevent the spread of COVID-19
With your help, we can limit the spread of COVID-19 by following health protocols, such as maintaining at least six feet of distance from people you don’t live with and wearing face coverings. In addition, take advantage of no-cost campus testing to get tested for the virus if you have symptoms, have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, or plan to come to campus. If you have questions about COVID-19 testing and safety measures in the spring semester, check out these top FAQs.
| |
|
Thursday, March 11:
- Developing your Mental Health Training Plan with Dr. Joy Harden Bradford – 6 pm
Friday, March 12:
- Drop-in Meditation – 9 - 9:15 am, 9:30 - 9:45 am
- Yoga for Stress Relief – 9 - 9:45 am
- Mindfulness for Boosting Resilience and Lowering Stress – 10 - 10:45 am
- Flourishing in Contentious Times – 11 - 11:45 am
- Go the %$#& to Sleep! – noon - 1:30 pm
- Powerflow Yoga – 12:05 - 12:50 pm
- Am I Just Bad at This?!: How Procrastination Actually Works – 1:45 - 2:45 pm
- Leading & Living Well: Become a Peer Wellness Coach – 3 - 3:45 pm
- Your Inner Critic is Sus: Overcoming Imposter Phenomenon – 4 - 5:30 pm
On-Demand:
- Suicide Prevention Training for UW–Madison Students: Recognize, Respond, Refer
- Breath of Spring: Guided Meditation in the Garden
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.
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.
- UHS 24-hour Crisis Services. On-call crisis counselors can help address your most pressing concerns, address your safety, and help you connect with follow-up service needs. It’s available every day, including weekends, holidays, and semester breaks. Call the UHS crisis line at 608-265-5600. For situations that are immediately life-threatening, call 911.
- 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.
- Let's Talk. Let’s Talk provides no-cost, informal, confidential consultations around campus. Going to Let’s Talk can help you gain insight, support, and information about other resources.
| |
|
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.
| |
|
Teaching Assistant, Life Sciences Communication
| |
|
The upcoming Marie Christine Kohler Fellow @ WID 2021 cohort will pair science fellows with art fellows to nucleate around interdisciplinary thought and the creation of science-art fusion projects and/or events. This is a continuation of the inaugural science-art fusion cohort for the program in 2020. We will be accepting up to two scientists and up to two artists for the 2021 cohort. Science and art graduate students from across UW–Madison campus are encouraged to apply.
Support from Nancy and David Borghesi and the A. W. Mellon Foundation allows the Center for the Humanities to support three to five new interdisciplinary workshops in the humanities each year. This program allows teams of UW-Madison faculty and students to explore new and developing fields of inquiry. The workshops are working groups centered on an interdisciplinary topic, broadly conceived, drawn from any period, field, or method of research in the humanities. One of the Center's most exciting programs, the workshops have led to conferences, books, and teaching innovations.
| |
|
|
|
|
