Check-in Groups

Registration for the Fall 2024 Check-In Groups Is Now Closed

Every semester, GradPro facilitates weekly check-in groups designed to provide peer accountability and support to graduate students. In a check-in group, you will set weekly goals for yourself and find accountability for following through with your goals. GradPro trained facilitators guide the check-ins, fostering an informal yet supportive community. The groups start at the beginning of each semester, so check back here at the beginning of a semester to register for a group, or sign up for our Professional Development Digest for the latest updates.

Concerned about accomplishing your goals, but not sure if a Check-in Group would be right for you? Check out this Grad News post about check-ins or attend an information session at the beginning of next semester.

Check-in Groups are divided based on progress towards degree, degree type, or identity. In the 2024-2025 academic year, we will be offering four groups:

1. Pre-Quals PhD Student Group: For PhD graduate students who have not yet taken their qualifying exams
2. Post-Quals PhD Student Group: For PhD graduate students who have already taken their qualifying exams
3. Masters & Professional Students Group: For graduate students in M.A. programs or professional programs (e.g., Berkeley Law).
4. NCID Group: For graduate students at any stage of their program who identify as Neurodivergent, Chronically Ill, or Disabled.

Check-in Groups meet weekly for 50 minutes over Zoom. During a typical meeting, each member reflects on the progress they have made on their goals as well as any challenges they’ve encountered. Everyone then has the opportunity to share their reflections, and the group members and facilitator offer support and advice. Most weeks, the group also delves into a discussion on a topic relevant to graduate school and professional goals, such as time management or imposter syndrome. The trained facilitator will suggest resources that complement this themed discussion. Finally, group members take some time to set goals for their upcoming week and share those goals with the group, which facilitates group accountability and community-building. While it is okay to miss an occasional meeting, it is important for peer accountability that group members attend regularly.

Online registration for Check-In Groups is open for one week at the beginning of each semester. When open, the registration form is linked at the top of this page. During registration, select the group designation that’s right for you and indicate your availability. Once registration closes, GradPro will determine the group times that work for the greatest number of people, and the Check-In Group Team Lead will email you with the finalized schedule and next steps.

Community Standards

In Check-in Groups, GradPro asks all participants to uphold these standards:

Keep it…

1. Personal rather than universal—Use “I” statements and avoid “you should” statements.
2. Respectful— If you take space and time, make sure to give space and time. Use active listening.
3. Confidential—Everything group members share in the check-in group is confidential and should not be shared with anyone outside the group unless you have explicit consent. 
4. Generative—Move dialogue toward positive, concrete action.

Active Listening on Zoom

Conducting discussions remotely via Zoom necessitates active listening and engagement. Here are some suggestions:

1. If possible, keep your video on and try to look into the camera. 
2. Use reaction emojis on Zoom and messages in the chat to show your engagement. 
3. Make an effort to use others’ names even more so than usual. 
4. Use gestures when speaking and nod to show others you are listening and relate to what they are saying.

Key Resources

Part of GradPro’s mission is to research and collect resources and opportunities for graduate students on career preparation and exploration topics. Collections of these key resources can be found on the Professional Development Resource List page.