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 and career preparation. 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. Spring 2025 groups will begin on February 10 and run for eight weeks. This spring, we will be offering four Check-in Groups: Pre-quals Post-quals Masters & Professional NCID (Neurodivergent, Chronically Ill, and Disabled) Testimonials from past check-in group participants:“When our time is already so highly scheduled it can feel hard to take the hour to meet. However, I found that taking this one group hour helped me to remember that I had other times throughout my semester that I could spend outside of class that could enrich my life.’ “My experience participating in a check-in group has been overwhelmingly positive because of the supportive community that was cultivated by the check-in group and the abundance of resources shared that were helpful in navigating graduate school as a student with disabilities. I especially benefited from the goal setting assistance provided by the check-in group as goal setting has been a challenge for me over the course of my graduate studies due to my neurodivergent disabilities. I highly recommend a check-in group to students looking for a supportive community that will help them pursue their academic goals.” “The check-in group was a low-stress way to meet up with other students and keep track of my goals, both personal and academic. I highly recommend this program.” 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 Spring Check-In Groups will begin on January 27. ~~ Yana Zlochistaya is a sixth-year PhD candidate in the Department of Comparative Literature and a Professional Development Liaison with the Graduate Division. She is also a former co-director of Beyond Academia.
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 and career preparation. 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. Spring 2025 groups will begin on February 10 and run for eight weeks. This spring, we will be offering four Check-in Groups: Pre-quals Post-quals Masters & Professional NCID (Neurodivergent, Chronically Ill, and Disabled) Testimonials from past check-in group participants:“When our time is already so highly scheduled it can feel hard to take the hour to meet. However, I found that taking this one group hour helped me to remember that I had other times throughout my semester that I could spend outside of class that could enrich my life.’ “My experience participating in a check-in group has been overwhelmingly positive because of the supportive community that was cultivated by the check-in group and the abundance of resources shared that were helpful in navigating graduate school as a student with disabilities. I especially benefited from the goal setting assistance provided by the check-in group as goal setting has been a challenge for me over the course of my graduate studies due to my neurodivergent disabilities. I highly recommend a check-in group to students looking for a supportive community that will help them pursue their academic goals.” “The check-in group was a low-stress way to meet up with other students and keep track of my goals, both personal and academic. I highly recommend this program.” 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 Spring Check-In Groups will begin on January 27. ~~ Yana Zlochistaya is a sixth-year PhD candidate in the Department of Comparative Literature and a Professional Development Liaison with the Graduate Division. She is also a former co-director of Beyond Academia.