All graduate students are invited to the Graduate School’s Welcome Week, with the following events taking place the week before classes begin. Register in advance to attend these events by clicking on the link in the title.
Mentorship Matters: Insights for Graduate Students and their Mentors
Monday, August 25
9:30 – 11:30 am
AT&T Lounge, Pyle Center
Join us for an engaging keynote and panel discussion on the crucial role of mentorship in academic and professional growth at UW-Madison. Our distinguished panelists, including faculty, academic staff, and senior graduate students, will share their experiences and strategies for effective mentorship relationships. We’ll explore inclusive and personalized mentoring practices that address the unique needs of each student, ensuring valuable guidance on research, career development, and personal growth. This event is co-hosted by the Morgridge Institute for Research.
Navigating Mentorship (with Lunch) Workshop
Monday, August 25
Noon – 2 pm
313 Pyle Center
This interactive workshop for graduate students offers tools to develop a strong network of academic mentors. Enjoy lunch and learn about mentorship: What are mentors and why are they important? How do I know what I need from mentorship relationships? How do I approach a potential new mentor? How do I establish a solid network of mentors?
Enhancing Your Graduate Degree with a Certificate
Monday, August 25
3:30 – 4:30 pm
Online (Zoom)
What are graduate certificates, and how can they add value to your graduate degree? In this virtual session, faculty and staff representing several graduate certificate programs (and their equivalent doctoral minors) discuss the multiple benefits that these programs provide to graduate students across campus—including fulfilling breadth requirements, expanding interdisciplinary knowledge, mastering new skills, creating community and networking opportunities, and building cultural competence. Attendees will also have the opportunity to speak with each certificate representative in smaller groups.
Time Management for Graduate Students
Tuesday, August 26
10 – 11 am
1310 Sterling Hall
In this interactive workshop, you will learn tips and techniques for staying on track and managing your time. We’ll cover goal-setting, minimizing distractions and staying focused, and overcoming some of the most common challenges to staying on task. Participants will leave with strategies that they can apply immediately. The strategies we’ll cover are appropriate for students in any discipline.
Cool Tools: Apps and More to Increase Productivity
Tuesday, August 26
3 – 4:15 pm
1310 Sterling Hall
Prepare to maximize your time and energy by taking advantage of software available to UW–Madison graduate students that can help streamline your workflow. This workshop, presented by Pete Valeo from Software Training for Students (STS), will introduce you to basic and advanced software tools, including cloud storage services, note taking apps, mobile scanners, research tools, tasks managers, password managers, lifestyle apps, and more.
Flourishing in Graduate School: How to Manage Stress and Maintain Your Mental Health
Thursday, August 28
10 – 11 am
Online
Want to make graduate school a time to thrive and not just survive? This workshop will focus on promotion of psychological well-being in graduate school. Topics covered will arm graduate students with strategies to thrive through the challenges of graduate school, including managing the transition/adjustment process, coping with stress, promoting work/life balance, and establishing habits to maintain or improve mental health. This event is presented by the Graduate School in collaboration with University Health Services.
Funding Forward: Equipping and Empowering Graduate Students to Apply for External Funding
Friday, August 29
11:45 am – 1 pm
Tripp Commons, Memorial Union
Join us at this dynamic event where you’ll discover why fellowships are crucial funding opportunities. Learn from faculty from various disciplines who will share insights on the importance of applying for fellowships and how to write competitive applications, including crafting compelling research descriptions, demonstrating your impact, and involving your advisor. Leave feeling motivated and equipped to pursue funding opportunities with confidence. A buffet lunch will be served at 11:45 am; the session will begin at noon.
Bridge & Build Welcome Reception
Friday, August 29
4:30 – 6 pm
AT&T Lounge, Pyle Center
Join us for an evening of celebration and connection as we welcome graduate students to the academic community and introduce the Bridge and Build community series.
Bridge and Build offers community building and networking opportunities through workshops, seminars, and events. It promotes academic, professional, and personal growth through development of supportive peer networks that help graduate students successfully navigate graduate studies.
Students will be welcomed to network and socialize with peers, as well as connect with campus resources and leadership. This event is designed to foster a sense of belonging and support among students from an array of backgrounds. All graduate students are welcome to attend.
This event is co-sponsored by the Graduate School and Student Affairs.