The start of a new academic year often brings feelings of both promise and overwhelm. At a university as vast as Berkeley, the opportunities can feel endless, and with that can also come a head-spinning number of possibilities and responsibilities that clamor for your attention. It’s no wonder that many graduate students end up feeling unmoored! That’s where GradPro’s check-in groups come in. Here’s how they work: every week, a small group of graduate students meets up, virtually or in person, to provide accountability and discuss the challenges of graduate school. At each meeting, participants set weekly goals and reflect on how the previous week has gone. Then, they engage in themed discussions around subjects particularly relevant to the graduate experience, such as time management or mentoring relationships. Participants also learn about and share resources designed to support them through their academic and professional development process. The groups are a safe place to learn to set realistic goals, build community, and treat yourself kindly. Check-in groups are all about peer mentorship. They are facilitated by Professional Development Liaisons (PDLs), advanced graduate students from a wide variety of disciplines, who are trained to create an inclusive, supportive environment for all participants. In the fall, we will be offering four check-in groups: Pre-quals Post-quals Masters & Professional NCID (Neurodivergent, Chronically Ill, and Disabled) Fall 2024 groups will begin on September 16 and run for eight weeks. Check out the GradPro Check-In Group page to learn more about our groups. Testimonials from past check-in group participants:“My check-in group was a great source of community when academic work can be very isolating. I learned of summer opportunities, study tips, and felt more grounded through this group.” “As a first-year graduate student, I really appreciated having a support group outside of my cohort. I’m glad that I took the opportunity to connect with others and be heard, have a space and time to reflect on how everything is going, as the first semester could be challenging during the adjustment.” “I enjoyed the goal-setting aspect of check-in groups. In my old lab group, we had goal-setting and planning, but the process felt stressful and toxic when discussing with my advisor. The peer check-in groups helped me establish reasonable and flexible weekly goals without the pressure of being told I’m not doing enough.” Join a check-in groupWant to learn more? Register for an information session! Ready to sign up? Visit the GradPro Check-In Group page. Registration for the fall groups will begin on September 3, 2024 at 12 pm PST.
The start of a new academic year often brings feelings of both promise and overwhelm. At a university as vast as Berkeley, the opportunities can feel endless, and with that can also come a head-spinning number of possibilities and responsibilities that clamor for your attention. It’s no wonder that many graduate students end up feeling unmoored! That’s where GradPro’s check-in groups come in. Here’s how they work: every week, a small group of graduate students meets up, virtually or in person, to provide accountability and discuss the challenges of graduate school. At each meeting, participants set weekly goals and reflect on how the previous week has gone. Then, they engage in themed discussions around subjects particularly relevant to the graduate experience, such as time management or mentoring relationships. Participants also learn about and share resources designed to support them through their academic and professional development process. The groups are a safe place to learn to set realistic goals, build community, and treat yourself kindly. Check-in groups are all about peer mentorship. They are facilitated by Professional Development Liaisons (PDLs), advanced graduate students from a wide variety of disciplines, who are trained to create an inclusive, supportive environment for all participants. In the fall, we will be offering four check-in groups: Pre-quals Post-quals Masters & Professional NCID (Neurodivergent, Chronically Ill, and Disabled) Fall 2024 groups will begin on September 16 and run for eight weeks. Check out the GradPro Check-In Group page to learn more about our groups. Testimonials from past check-in group participants:“My check-in group was a great source of community when academic work can be very isolating. I learned of summer opportunities, study tips, and felt more grounded through this group.” “As a first-year graduate student, I really appreciated having a support group outside of my cohort. I’m glad that I took the opportunity to connect with others and be heard, have a space and time to reflect on how everything is going, as the first semester could be challenging during the adjustment.” “I enjoyed the goal-setting aspect of check-in groups. In my old lab group, we had goal-setting and planning, but the process felt stressful and toxic when discussing with my advisor. The peer check-in groups helped me establish reasonable and flexible weekly goals without the pressure of being told I’m not doing enough.” Join a check-in groupWant to learn more? Register for an information session! Ready to sign up? Visit the GradPro Check-In Group page. Registration for the fall groups will begin on September 3, 2024 at 12 pm PST.