The document outlines resources and information presented during graduate student orientation at UBC. It introduces campus services, common challenges graduate students face, and strategies for success. Key speakers are noted and an extensive list of campus supports are provided relating to academics, careers, health and wellness, community building, and resolving issues. Strategies for graduate student success include being proactive, developing relationships, embracing the academic community, managing one's program effectively, planning careers, addressing problems, and maintaining balance.

1. UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Welcome
Graduate Student Orientation 2014
August 28, 2014
Welcomes
Jacqui Brinkman, Graduate Pathways to Success Program,
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Dr. Linc Kesler
Director of the First Nations House of Learning
Dr. Susan Porter, Dean and Vice-Provost, Graduate and
Postdoctoral Studies
Dr. David Farrar, Provost and Vice President Academic
Colúm Connolly, President, Graduate Student Society and PhD
candidate, Medical Genetics

2. UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources
CAMPUS RESOURCES
Jenny Phelps, PhD
Assistant Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

3. UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources
Manage courses, program, money
 Student Service Centre
https://ssc.adm.ubc.ca/sscportal/servlets/SRVSSCFramework
 Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies www.grad.ubc.ca
 Money management help
http://www.students.ubc.ca/finance/get-started-from-here/

4. UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources
Plan for Success
 UBC Libraries http://www.library.ubc.ca/
 Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology http://ctlt.ubc.ca/
 Research Commons http://koerner.library.ubc.ca/services/research-commons/
 Academic English Support Program
https://cstudies.ubc.ca/student-information/services/academic-english-
support
 Writing Centre http://cstudies.ubc.ca/writing/
 Access and Diversity http://www.students.ubc.ca/access/index.cfm

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

6. UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources
Live well to learn well
 BC Medical Services Plan (MSP)
http://www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/msp
 AMS/GSS Insurance Plan http://www.studentcare.net/
 Student Health Service http://www.students.ubc.ca/health/
 Wellness Centre
http://www.students.ubc.ca/livewelllearnwell/explore-wellness/
wellness-centre/
 Counselling Services
http://students.ubc.ca/livewell/services/counselling-services

7. UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources
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

8. 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

9. UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources
Safewalk
 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 www.ams.ubc.ca/services/safewalk/ for a list of Safewalk
hubs

10. UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources
Have some fun, connect with others
 UBC Rec (Intramurals and Recreational Sports)
http://www.rec.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/

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

12. UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
Success in Graduate School
Jenny Phelps, PhD
Assistant Dean, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

13. UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
7 Keys to 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

14. UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
7 Keys to 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.

15. UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
7 Keys to 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

16. UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
7 Keys to 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.

17. UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
7 Keys to 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.

18. UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
7 Keys to 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
???

19. UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
7 Keys to 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!

20. UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
Summary:
7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
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