[Image Description: A woman sitting at her kitchen table looking stressed, surrounded by dirty dishes, boxes, and papers.] Pictured: Likely a familiar scene at this point COVID-19 has had many effects on our lives and work. To prevent the spread of the virus, we must wear masks, maintain social distancing, not dine in restaurants, and...
Are you a new graduate student at UCR who is trying to build a supportive community? Are you a current graduate student at UCR who needs a break from managing classes, teaching, and research? Are you struggling to stay connected to the graduate student community while teleworking? Good news: GradSuccess is here to help you...
As a third-year graduate student, TA, and writing center consultant, making the sudden adjustment from working on campus to working at home has been more challenging than I expected. I am typically very organized, focused, and motivated, but I've discovered that there are a lot of distractions in this new work environment that, at times...
There is no denying the fact that the last few weeks have been rough for a lot of us. Between all classes moving online, social distancing physically separating us from everyone but our housemates, and the frustration of trying to find one single roll of toilet paper, our day-to-day can feel a little overwhelming. People...
It’s the start of our collective quarter in quarantine, and none of us really knows what to expect. Some of us are trying to find a respectable corner at home from which to Zoom a discussion section; others are having to rethink research projects that require supplies or travel that the COVID-19 pandemic has now...
For graduate students, the end of the year can be particularly tight financially. Not only do we have to budget for the second round of student fees (didn’t we just pay those last month?), but with the winter holidays, many of us find ourselves trying to balance gift-giving to family, friends, and partners with our...
Have you ever had students that needed extra help? Perhaps they were struggling with personal or academic situations. Or, perhaps they were disruptive in class while you were TAing or serving as a mentor. As a teaching assistant and mentor, you are in a position to serve as a critical resource for saving a student’s...
One of the most challenging aspects of being a graduate student is balancing self-care along with numerous responsibilities, such as classes, research, and teaching. Without self-care, we put ourselves at risk for prolonged stress and burnout. While self-care can look different for everyone, at its essence self-care is about incorporating routines rooted in your interests...
As a second-year international student at UCR, I can still remember how I used to feel uncomfortable living in Riverside because of both the weather and the campus environment. However, after being here for one year, I became more and more grateful for choosing to come here to study. Let me share with you what...
Whether it’s your first year in graduate school or you’re a seasoned graduate-school veteran, fall quarter can be overwhelming! Below are five tips to help you get off to a positive start this academic year: [ Image Description: A white seal pup nestles itself into the snow, turns to the viewer, and waves its paw...
There are many programs on campus to help students reduce their stress and balance their personal and academic life. However, sometimes, all we need to do is to get away from school and let nature soothe and heal us. One of the advantages of living in California is its variety of activities we can take...
