UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources
Manage courses, program, money

Student Service
Centrehttps://ssc.adm.ubc.ca/sscportal/servletsSRVSSCFramework

Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies www.grad.ubc.ca

Money management help http://www.students.ubc.ca/finance/get-startedfrom-here/
Build my career
 Graduate Pathways to Success https://www.grad.ubc.ca/currentstudents/gps-graduate-pathways-success
 Centre for Student Involvement and Careers
http://students.ubc.ca/career/careers-services-graduate-students
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources
Plan for Success

UBC Libraries

Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology http://www.tag.ubc.ca

Learning Commons http://learningcommons.ubc.ca/

Academic English Support Program http://www.cstudies.ubc.ca/aes/index.html

Access and Diversity http://www.students.ubc.ca/access/index.cfm

Writing Centre http://cstudies.ubc.ca/writing/
http://www.library.ubc.ca/
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 wellness.centre@ubc.ca
http://www.students.ubc.ca/livewelllearnwell/explore-wellness/wellness-centre/

Counselling Serviceshttp://www.students.ubc.ca/counselling
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/

Grad Student Online Forum http://forum.grad.ubc.ca/
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources
Get Advice, Resolve Problems
•
Office of the Ombudsperson for Students
http://www.ombudsoffice.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
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
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.
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
•
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
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.
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.
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
Learn about plagiarism &
research ethics, get support
when feeling pressured
???
Academic
misconduct
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!