As we head into the final month of this academic year, many of us are most likely overwhelmed with coursework, research, and preparation for summer and next year’s funding. To some of us, Spring quarter can be the most exhausting quarter of all. Therefore, it is important to remind ourselves to enjoy moments of joy...

Welcome to the season of spring. The smell of flowers blooming in the air, sunny skies, and a sea of emotions. Let us not forget that that for many graduate students spring can be a stressful yet exciting time. Many of us are wrapping up coursework, finishing up a thesis, defending a dissertation, trying to...

Since being established in 2010, the Graduate Student Mentorship Program (GSMP) has depended on our mentors’ contributions and efforts to facilitate and transform the experiences of graduate students at UCR. In honor of International Mentor Appreciation Month, we would like to thank all of our faculty and peer mentors and talk about the great things...

Winter can be a challenging season to navigate, especially during days where your body is experiencing a lack of sunlight, the cold, and just feeling a little down. As graduate students, we juggle multiple responsibilities that can take up so much mentally and physically. That is why this winter, I encourage you to check in...

Many of us are returning from a much-needed Thanksgiving break with a full belly and many deadlines to catch up on as we approach the final week of the quarter! Learning to cope with stress is crucial to surviving finals week at UCR, especially in the hybrid era. As current graduate students, not only do...

Friends, Thanksgiving is nigh! For many, the end of November prompts a strengthening of appetites as families gather to indulge in the traditional fare of turkey, corn, and potato. These products, all native to the Americas, are a reminder of the unique role of Thanksgiving in our culture. The storybook version of the “First Thanksgiving''...

Looking forward to socializing with fellow students back on campus? GradSuccess community-building events are scheduled to help you to connect with peers. This fall quarter, we will host in-person Coffee Socials, two community Game Nights, and an Art Night. Take a look and share these events with other UCR graduate students. Coffee Socials The in-person...

Let’s face it, writer’s block is that office creep always lurking and never welcome. So, how do we evade writer’s block without a personal HR department? Well, we don’t. So, let’s talk about how to deal with our dreaded companion…writer’s block. [ Image Description: Michael Scott, a character from The Office, looking at the camera...

Wondering what Fall events will look like as begin transitioning back to campus? Here's the scoop on where, when, and how to access GradSuccess programs and services in the coming months.

Balancing parenting with your graduate studies is certainly challenging. One of the best pieces of advice I was given as a pregnant graduate student was that because parenting and graduate school are both jobs without clear boundaries balancing the two requires lots of patience and chocolate. While I cannot share chocolate via blog (sorry!), here...

Looking to improve your summer? Here are fifteen ideas that are low commitment and low cost. Consider giving one a try this summer: 1. Get up early and watch the sunrise. As a bonus, it’s often the coolest time of day during our Riverside summers! [ Image Description: A large orange sun moves slowly up...

Lots of universities have announced plans to reopen their campuses next fall after more than a year of virtual instruction amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes the University of California system; with COVID-19 vaccines available to students, faculty, and staff, our campus also announced that it plans to bring most students to campus for in-person...

Unclench your jaw. [ Image Description: Pumba, from The Lion King, drops his jaw.] Pictured: Pretty much every time I ask myself, “Is my jaw clenched?” – the answer is yes, yes it is, relax that jaw right now… While you’re at it, you might use your fingers or knuckles to give yourself a face...

COVID has spread and cause lots of tragedy in the US and around the world for almost a year. While the situation is difficult for everyone, things are particularly serious for international students who are studying abroad and far away from their families. The pressure not only coming from the living landscape but also from...

"Have babies in graduate school," a female professor suggested to me at a department seminar reception during my time in graduate school. She advised that graduate school is the best time for students pursuing an academic career to have their babies. A survey conducted by Harvard University shows more than one-in-twenty graduate students are also...

Why are boundaries important for graduate students? How is boundary-making a form of self-care? And, along these lines, what does it mean to be strategic? Before diving into these questions, I offer an anecdote about how I came to value the importance of boundaries. First-Year Lessons Coming into the Critical Dance Studies Ph.D. program, fresh...

Trauma is any harmful life experience leaving long-lasting effects on our physical, emotional, and social needs. Research indicates an alarming number of college students have experienced trauma in their lives. The learning process in traumatized students is significantly impaired since they spend most of their time and energy processing their trauma. Therefore, they do not...

We have all had the experience of trying to finish one task while having so many more tasks that need to be completed. We are so distracted by everything around us that it causes us to feel overwhelmed and even more stressed. Recently I watched a Ted Talk by Andy Puddicombe on the idea of...

When I was younger my mum and I loved to watch old movies together. One of our favorites was The Sound of Music. If you’re not familiar, The Sound of Music is a Rodgers and Hammerstein movie musical in which a free-spirited novitiate named Maria is asked to serve as a governess for a wealthy...

Fall of 2020 proved to be a big challenge for the entire graduate student body. Hours upon hours of screen time through Zoom or other platforms gave rise to a feeling of exhaustion and isolation. But fear not, for the Graduate Student Resource Center (GSRC) is continuing our regular wellness programming in an online world...