By Olivia Gacka, PhD Student
It has become my tradition over the past year and a half to use the last Tips for Grads column of the semester to ask you to do a quick writing exercise with me, and to take the opportunity to reflect on what you’ve done in the past few months and everything you can – and will – accomplish in the months ahead.
This semester, I’m thinking about the difference having a solid support system can make in your graduate school journey. With that said, take out a piece of paper, or pull up a blank page on your device, and write out the following:
- Name someone who really helped you this semester: Take a moment to think about someone whose presence in a class, on a project, or in your life really made a difference for you. Was it something specific they did, or just their energy that gave you a boost? Bonus points if you shoot that person an email and let them know how much they meant to you this semester!
- Name someone you’re glad you got to know better this semester: Think about someone you know through work, a class, or a project who you maybe knew in passing but really got to know in the last few months. What impact did they have on you this semester? What did you learn about them that surprised you?
- Name someone you want to know better next semester: Whether it’s someone in your department that you don’t see as often as you’d like, or someone you met that you think would be a great mentor or collaborator, identify someone you hope to see more of in the new year, and jot down a plan to reach out to them in 2023!
Tips for Grads is a professional and academic advice column written by graduate students for graduate students at UW–Madison. It is published in the student newsletter, GradConnections Weekly.