The document provides information about campus resources and keys to success for graduate students at UBC. It lists resources for managing courses and finances, libraries and technology support, academic and career support services, health and counseling services, recreation activities, and offices for advice. It also outlines seven keys to success in graduate school, including being proactive, establishing relationships, embracing the academic community, managing projects, planning careers, preventing and addressing problems, and seeking balance.

1. CAMPUS RESOURCES
September 3rd, 2015
Jenny Phelps, PhD
Assistant Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
jenny.phelps@ubc.ca 604-822-2934
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources

2. Manage courses, program, money
 Student Service Centre
https://ssc.adm.ubc.ca/sscportal/
 Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
https://www.grad.ubc.ca/
 Money management help
http://students.ubc.ca/enrolment/finances
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources

3.  UBC Libraries www.library.ubc.ca
 Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology
http://ctlt.ubc.ca
 Research Commons
http://koerner.library.ubc.ca/services/research-commons
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources
Plan for Success

4.  Academic English Support Program
https://cstudies.ubc.ca/student-information/services/academic-
english-support
 Writing Centre https://cstudies.ubc.ca/study-topic/academic-writing
 Access and Diversity http://students.ubc.ca/about/access
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources
Plan for Success

5.  Graduate Pathways to Success
https://www.grad.ubc.ca/pathways
 Centre for Student Involvement and Careers
http://students.ubc.ca/about/centre-student-involvement-and-
careers
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources
Build my career

6.  BC Medical Services Plan (MSP)
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health
 AMS/GSS Insurance Plan
http://ihaveaplan.ca/rte/en/UniversityofBritishColumbiaAMSGS
S_Home
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources
Live well to learn well

7. Student Health Service
UBC Hospital, 2211 Wesbrook Mall
Room M334, Koerner Pavilion
http://students.ubc.ca/livewell/services/
student-health-service
Online appointment scheduling & results
*Emergencies: UBC Hospital Urgent Care
Centre open until 10 PM
604-822-7011
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources
Live well to learn well

8. Counselling Services
Brock Hall
1874 East Mall, Room 1040
http://students.ubc.ca/livewell/
services/counselling-services
604-822-3811
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources
Live well to learn well

9. Common life issues for grad students
• Managing relocation and transition to graduate program
• Effectively managing multiple demands
• Staying connected to family and community
• Building social support and healthy relationships
• Addressing personal & professional identity issues
• Managing mental and physical health issues
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources

10. Grad Students:
Strategies Used to Cope with Stress
and to Improve Mental Health
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Women Men
Talk with Friends &
Family
Time off to relax
More exercise
More regular sleep
Break into steps
Remind myself
of my abilities
Improve nutrition
Meditate/pray
Get professional
advice

11.  If you’re not sure where to go on campus or would prefer not
to walk alone at night, call Safewalk at 604-822-5355
 You can also use a UBC Blue Phone and ask for Safewalk
 Safewalk sends a co-ed pair of walkers to your location at any
point on campus and will walk you anywhere else on campus
 Visit http://www.ams.ubc.ca/services/safewalk/ for a list of
Safewalk hubs
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources
Safewalk

12.  UBC Rec (Intramurals and Recreational Sports)
http://www.recreation.ubc.ca/
 AMS Campus Life Resources
http://www.ams.ubc.ca/studentsociety/
 Graduate Student Society http://gss.ubc.ca/main/
 Graduate Forum https://community.grad.ubc.ca/
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources
Have some fun, connect with others

13. Get Advice, Resolve Problems
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources
 Office of the Ombudsperson for Students
http://ombudsoffice.ubc.ca/
 GSS Advocacy Office http://gss.ubc.ca/main/?page_id=34
 Equity and Inclusion Office http://equity.ubc.ca/
 International Student Development (“I House”)
http://students.ubc.ca/international
 Your department Graduate Advisor and Staff
 Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

14. Success in Graduate School
September 3rd, 2015
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
Jenny Phelps, PhD
Assistant Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
jenny.phelps@ubc.ca 604-822-2934

15. 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
1. Be proactive – take responsibility for your own grad
school experience
• Be your own “project manager” – take initiative to get what you
need from your supervisor/committee
• Look for (or create) opportunities to help you get what you want
from graduate school
• Continue the mental transition from waiting for direction to charting
your own course

16. 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
2. Establish positive relationships with your
supervisor and others
• Seek regular contact with your supervisor. Make your time
together productive.
• Follow up on items discussed in meetings – keep your
supervisor(s) informed of your progress and challenges
• Act as a “junior colleague” – ask questions, advance ideas,
show interest and support for shared goals
• Deal with problems sooner rather than later.

17. 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
3. Embrace the wider (even global) academic
community
• Don’t isolate – reach out within and beyond your program to find
collaborators and community. Most research is global!
• Get out there! Look into research mobility grants; present at
conferences ($500 available to every grad student to present at a
conference)
• Become involved with University activities beyond your own
work—seminars, committees, events

18. 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
4. Develop effective project management strategies
• Know your program requirements and set a ‘Master Plan” for
achieving milestones, revisit as needed. Give yourself deadlines.
• Structure your time and efforts—develop a regular work
schedule that works for you.
• Schedule regular meetings with your supervisor and committee
to keep things moving along
• Stay focussed on your goals. Reduce distractions wherever
possible.

19. 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
5. Plan for various career paths from the start
• There are (usually) many options…explore, then hone in on what
seems most interesting to you.
• Build both specific and diverse skills for possible careers. Watch for
offerings through the Graduate Pathways to Success program,
your Dept. and elsewhere.
• Develop a network of positive contacts.
• Engage with the wider UBC & Vancouver community.

20. 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
6. Prevent or deal effectively with problems
Problem Prevent Resolve
Supervision
Clarify expectations early;
develop shared goals
Good communication; seek help
from Graduate Advisor or Grad
Studies
Academic
progress
Clarify expectations early; set
and stick to plan
Reflect on goals, seek help
early from supervisor or
Graduate Advisor
Financial Plan ahead; make a budget
Seek help from program or ESP
advisor in Brock Hall
Personal
Good self-care; connect with
others; watch for early trouble
signs
Reach out to those who care;
Counseling Services
Academic
misconduct
Learn about plagiarism &
research ethics, get support
when feeling pressured
???

21. 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
7. Seek balance and support in your life
• Stay connected to friends and family outside
school
• Eat well, sleep consistently, exercise regularly
• Reach out to those around you—staff, faculty
members and especially other students, who
can help you through the tough times
• Keep grad school in perspective—be a
finisher!

22. 1. Be proactive – take responsibility for your own grad
school experience
2. Establish a positive relationship with your supervisor
and others
3. Embrace the wider (even global) academic
community
4. Develop effective project management strategies
5. Plan for various career paths from the start
6. Prevent (or deal effectively) with problems
7. Seek balance and support in your life
Summary:
7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School

23. UBC Card

24. Stop. Look. Sort.
• Most of UBC’s garbage can
be recycled or composted
• We need the student
population to sort waste
properly!
UBC’s Zero Waste Initiative
• Stop at a bin. Look at the signs. Sort your waste.