New Students

Varsity Hall I & II

Meet representatives from campus and community services that support graduate students to succeed at UW–Madison. Learn about their resources and pick up some swag on your way through the fair.

The Marquee

Note: Both 35-minute sessions have the same content, so plan to attend either session.

Hear directly from staff about the ways their offices can help you find and apply for funding, use databases and other tools to gather information related to your research, write better and smarter, and develop your professional and career-related plans and skills.

Presenters include:

• • Office of Professional Development, Graduate School
  • Writing Center
  • Libraries and Grants Information Collection
  • Software Training for Students (STS)
  • Office of Student Assistance and Support
  • McBurney Disability Resource Center
  • University Health Services Mental Health Services

View slides from the 2025 Flash Talks.

A panel of seasoned graduate students will answer the large and small questions you have about everything from what can make your graduate student life easier and less stressful to establishing and maintaining relationships with faculty and staff in your program.

Choose one of the following panels to attend:

• Master’s Student Panel, Varsity Hall III: For students whose final degree goal is a master’s degree
• Doctoral Student Panel, The Marquee: For students whose final degree goal is a doctoral/PhD degree (even if currently enrolled in a master’s plan)

Varsity Hall III

Campus leadership will welcome graduate students to the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

• Dean of the Graduate School William J. Karpus
• Interim Provost John Zumbrunnen
• Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Lori Reesor

The Welcome Remarks will be followed by a “Meet and Greet” Reception at 3 pm in Varsity Halls I & II. Refreshments will be served.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Explore strategies to prepare to learn remotely, engage in your courses, and maximize your time. This module, from the Graduate School, is for grad students taking their first online course or those looking for some new resources on online learning. Enroll in the Successful Online Learning Canvas course at any time.