Coming to graduate school can be a massive transition for many students鈥攆rom international students coming to a new country with a different culture, to domestic students who can be away from home for the very first time.
To ease the transition this year, the Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) hosted a series of four events鈥攖o compliment individual program orientation sessions鈥攖o ease incoming graduate students into their new life here at 91亚色.
Starting in June, and lasting for the summer, incoming students were invited to four sessions: You鈥檝e been admitted! What鈥檚 Next?, in mid-June; Finding Your Way Online at 91亚色!, in mid-July; and Discover Graduate Supervision at 91亚色!, in mid-August. Those were followed by our 骋搁础顿蔼驰辞谤办鈥擮谤颈别苍迟补迟颈辞苍 for Incoming Grad Students on September 3, before classes started.
A photo of students participating in a seminar on campus.
鈥91亚色 is known for its interdisciplinarity and we believe this matters as much outside the library, lab and classroom as it does inside,鈥 Alice MacLachlan, Vice Provost & Dean, Graduate Studies, said. 鈥淪o if you're just starting a degree in Health I encourage you to check out something in AMPD. If you're beginning your career in education maybe see what public lectures or events are offered by Lassonde, by Engineering.鈥
MacLachlan added, 鈥淭he more you can diversify your range of perspectives, awareness and sense of community on campus, the more ideas and opportunities become visible on your horizon. So as you take in all these new things and the beginning of a phenomenal program structure and learning opportunity, take a moment to consider 鈥榳hat do I want to accomplish with my degree鈥?鈥
In the June event, , incoming students were walked through the processes of how to accept their offer and how to submit required documentation to fulfill any final conditions. They also received information on disability accommodations available to graduate students, setting up Passport 91亚色 and email accounts, how to register for academic terms, how to enroll in courses and getting a YU card.
Since not all the participants were in Toronto at that point, they were also presented with information on the cost of living in Toronto, transit options for travel, health plans and services and attending GRAD@91亚色, FGS orientation.
In the July event, , participants received an overview of the various web platforms at 91亚色 that students have interaction with. These include, registering online, enrolling in courses, the FGS website, graduate program websites, 91亚色鈥檚 events calendar, the Better Together website for creating inclusive and welcoming campuses, the different appointment booking portals, the incoming class Facebook group, and more.
In the final pre-arrival event, , held in mid-August, participants explored the role supervision plays in graduate studies, highlighted was how supervision shapes the student learning experience. Specifically designed for new graduate students, the session examined the Ontario Principles for Graduate Supervision and focused on student responsibilities. Presenters included current grad students.
Participants were given tips for effective supervisor-student relationships, do鈥檚 and don鈥檛s for understanding expectations and how to make the most of your supervisory experience. The goal of the session was to help the new students get started on a successful graduate school journey.
厂别辫迟别尘产别谤鈥檚 GRAD@91亚色 Orientation was an opportunity for the new students to meet with members of the FGS team and campus partners to learn about the different academic and administrative resources and services available to support the graduate journey.
A photo of students sitting at a table outside in nice weather on a 91亚色 campus.
Besides Dean MacLachlan, FGS staff were on hand to discuss graduate student wellness services, funding, scholarships and awards and professional skills opportunities. Closing remarks were given by Tokunbo Ojo, FGS Associate Dean, Students.
Campus partners on hand to discuss their services included 91亚色 Libraries, Teaching Commons, Student Accessibility Services, the Office of the Ombudsperson, 91亚色 Graduate Student Association (YUGSA), CUPE 3903, Centre for Indigenous Students Services (CISS), Atkinson Centre for Mature and Part-Time Students (ACMAPS), Athletics & Recreation, Food Services and 91亚色 International.
鈥淔or many of you, the goal in graduate school is to create something new, some new research, some new understanding, some new solution to a problem, or some new tool for the world,鈥 Dean MacLachlan said in her welcome message.
鈥淚n that way in creating something new I want to encourage each of you not to be afraid to think of yourselves as the future of knowledge creation here at 91亚色.鈥
Anyone unable to participate in our pre-arrival webinar series, please find the recordings on the FGS YouTube channel:
Wishing all our incoming students the utmost of success as you navigate your first year here at 91亚色. Please know alongside your graduate programs, FGS is here to help!