GradStart
GradStart is the Graduate School's home for orientation resources for all incoming graduate students. GradStart is a Canvas-based orientation program. It provides asynchronous modules which contain an introduction to academic expectations at UF, and also includes live workshops and information sessions prior to the beginning of the semester. GradStart is accessible through eLearning, and all graduate students are invited to participate prior to each Fall and Spring semester. These resources are not meant to replace program-level activities, which will be held separately.
- Newly admitted students will be automatically enrolled in the GradStart Canvas course before the below dates. If your department finds that a student has not been enrolled, please email gradstart@aa.ufl.edu to have them added.
Fall 2021 Zoom Webinar Schedule:
August 16
Graduate School Welcome to GradStart - 9:00am-10:00am
- This session will provide an introduction to the Graduate School’s campus-wide resources in Canvas, the events of the week, and the general expectations connected to graduate education at UF.
International Center Orientation for New International Students on F-1 visas (Required only for students on F-1 visas) - 10:00am-10:30am
- The International Center will share pertinent visa policies and procedures and details for remaining in compliance for international students on F-1 visas.
Cross-Cultural Adjustment to UF for International Students (Required for International Students) - 10:35am-11:45am
- The Counseling & Wellness Center will host a session on the transition to the US as a new graduate student and will share tips and strategies for managing the experience of joining a new community in Florida.
Introduction to UFIC’s Student Services Center - 11:50am-12:15pm
- Debra Anderson from the International Center will share details about the resources available for current students in the new Student Services Center at UFIC.
August 19 - Information Sessions
Career Readiness with the Career Connections Center - 9:00am-9:45am
- The Career Connections Center will identify resources which are available for graduate students throughout the year.
Tools for Learning with the Center for Teaching Excellence - 10:00am-10:45am
- The Center for Teaching Excellence will share tools and workshops available to students interested in actively engaging with faculty and peers in the classroom and through other collaborative endeavors.
Library Resources for New Graduate Students - 11:00am-11:45am
- The UF Libraries will share the wide range of tools available to students on-campus and off-campus throughout their graduate careers.
August 20 - Information Sessions
Tools for Wellness with GatorWell - 10:00am-10:45am
- Wellness as a graduate student can require a variety of tools. GatorWell will share resources available through their office, and other wellness organizations on campus.
Peer Panel for New International Students at UF (Led by the Organization for Graduate Student Advancement and Professional Development) - 11:00am-11:45am
- The Organization for Graduate Student Advancement and Professional Development (OGAP) will facilitate this panel session on perspectives from current international students with time for Q&A.
Peer Panel for New Domestic Students at UF (Led by the Graduate Student Council) - 12:00pm-12:45pm
- The Graduate Student Council (GSC) will facilitate this panel session on perspectives from current domestic students with time for Q&A.
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Teaching Assistant Orientation
- To be held on Friday, August 6, from 10am-12 through Zoom and Canvas modules.
- This orientation is mandatory for graduate students who will be first-time teaching assistants in the Fall 2021, Spring 2022, or Summer 2022 semesters.
- Please identify and contact students in your graduate programs who will be first-time teaching assistants for any of those three semesters, and instruct them to register for this orientation by Sunday, August 1 by clicking this link: New TA Orientation 2021
TA Orientation is developed by the Graduate School and the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE). The Center provides teaching and technology-specific professional development throughout the fall and spring semesters. The Graduate School's Office of Graduate Professional Development (OGPD) provides professional development across core competencies throughout the academic year.