Proactively creating content that allows learners to engage with materials, regardless of accessibility needs, preferences, and academic preparedness, is essential to universal design. It is also important to be aware of one’s assumptions, given that accessibility needs can be permanent, situational, or change throughout the term, and visibility of needs can vary. Creating content with...
[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...
The first day of classes can be daunting for your students and for you. With the move to online instruction, it can be even more challenging to get to know your students and develop rapport with them. Icebreakers can help your students form connections with each other and become more comfortable speaking or asking questions...
Do you have data to manage and analyze, statistical analysis to run, code to debug? Don’t feel alone or overwhelmed; Graduate Quantitative Methods Center (GradQuant) is here to help. GradQuant offers training to UCR graduate students and postdoctoral researchers on probability and statistical inference, statistical software and computing, data management, and digital humanities. We’re here...
Writing a research paper? Not a problem! Book chapter? Done! Writing a blog? I have never done that! [ Image Description: Vanessa Lee smiling at the viewer.] Pictured: The face of grad student career know-how When I was asked to write a blog post to talk about UCR’s Career Center and our services for graduate...
[ Image Description: Calvin rests his hand on a box as he says, " It's a writer's block! You put it on top of your desk and then you can't write there anymore!" Hobbs looks to the side, unamused.] Pictured: You, as both Calvin and Hobbs When I started this blog post, I had a...
In another sign that summer is on its way out, we welcomed the new members of the 2020-2021 GradSuccess team this week. We are thrilled they’ve joined us and want to let you know a little bit more about the folks who’ll be bringing you the GradSuccess programs and events you know and love in...
We had the opportunity to chat with Dr. Kate Sweeny, a Professor of Psychology at UCR about her research, insight, and advice on navigating uncertain waiting periods. 1. Where did you get your undergraduate and graduate degrees? I got my Bachelor’s degree from a small college called Furman University, and I got my Master’s and...
We had the opportunity to chat with Daniel Harmon , recent Ph.D. graduate in Developmental Psychology about his time as a student at UCR. Daniel shared his insight, experience, and advice on grad student life. [ Image Description: Daniel Harmon smiling at the viewer.] 1. What did you get your degree in, and what are...
I defended my prospectus at the end of March 2020, just before the pandemic started. The beginning of the pandemic was doubly stressful for me because of this; it felt like I should not only take care of my health and everything else by myself but that I should also write the whole dissertation. To...
We had the opportunity to chat with Lauren Cappiello, recent Ph.D. graduate in Applied Statistics about her time as a student at UCR. Lauren shared her insight, experience, and advice on grad student life. 1. What did you get your degree in, and what are you doing now? I am in Applied Statistics and have...
Having trouble staying productive? Do you have goals but have trouble sticking to them? Here are some ways to stay accountable during these socially distant times! [ Image Description: Mabel, from Gravity Falls, waves her arms up and down, the sleeves of her pink sweater hanging well past her fingers as she bobs her head...
We had the opportunity to chat with Karin Johnson, recent Ph.D. graduate in Sociology about her time as a student at UCR. Karin shared her insight, experience, and advice on grad student life. 1. What did you get your degree in, and what are you doing now? I received my Ph.D. in Sociology in June...
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...
We had the opportunity to chat with Josh Dorsi, recent Ph.D. graduate in Cognitive Psychology about his time as a student at UCR. Josh shared his insight, experience, and advice on grad student life. Read on for insight and advice. 1. What did you get your degree in, and what are you doing now? My...
We can all acknowledge that this past quarter has been challenging. If you’re like me, you found the sudden shift from in-person to on-line work an unexpected (and unwanted) learning opportunity—specifically, the opportunity to learn how to transform your kitchen table into a home office while your new furry co-workers try to eat your computer...
What do we teach students about life when they are asked to discuss rather than debate a topic? Before I dive into this perhaps philosophical, rather than practical question, it may be appropriate to explain how we are currently emphasizing discussion in the classroom and minimizing debate. I hope that by the end of my...
Summer sessions here at UCR provide a great opportunity for many graduate students to gain valuable teaching experience. During the academic year, we graduate students work as TAs, but in the summer we can try our hand as Instructors. Depending on your perspective, this may be an exciting idea or a scary one – or...
When UCR librarians shuttered the doors to the Tomás Rivera Library and Orbach Science Library to help contain the spread of Covid-19, my tears flowed freely and stained not a few pages of my overdue New Yorker. Even though this was the right thing to do for now and the foreseeable future, I miss wandering...
“You know how much I enjoy being a TA! I think I am going to miss the in-person interaction with the students. And, after all of this [the pandemic] is over, I will probably not be the same,” said one of my fellow graduate students. They said this while standing in the golden hues of...
