Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA)
Needles Hall, second floor, room 2201
Participate in workshops designed to support you through the milestones of your degree.
GRADnavigate is a series of workshops designed to answer questions about graduate school and help you thrive in your degree. We'll cover important topics like:
- Planning your degree
- Understanding comprehensive exams
- Navigating supervisory relationships
- And more!
We know that graduate students often feel that there are things they should know more about, may have missed, or need more guidance for, especially around their program's academic milestones or expectations. Not only will these workshops help answer these questions, but will also help you build community with your peers and introduce you to University staff who are here to support your graduate student experience.
Upcoming events
Spring 2024 workshops will be announced soon.
Past events
Winter 2024 events
Planning Your Degree (DYL For Doctoral Students)
Date, Time: January 23, 2024, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Your time in a doctoral program can often feel extremely busy and preparing a plan can save you time later on. In this interactive workshop, you’ll have an opportunity to review your academic milestones, consider where your PhD could take you, and think about academic and non-academic opportunities available to you to design your PhD experience so that it's uniquely tailored to you.
This workshop is based on the principles of Design Thinking from the book Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans.
The Art Of Saying ‘No’: Managing Expectations in Graduate School
Date, Time: February 21, 2024, 12:00 p.m. - 1:20 p.m.
Graduate Students lead very busy lives with several competing priorities. It is often difficult to decide what activities we should focus our time on, especially with so many different academic and social events going on around us. When it comes time to turn down an invitation to an activity or opportunity, many students struggle with the process of saying no. In this session, we will explore decision making strategies for deciding when to say yes and when to say no, as well as suggestions and tips for how to convey your decision. Graduate students must manage expectations – and invitations - from faculty, peers, students and friends and family. Developing skills to help manage these expectations can help with your time management, stress and overall success.
Pushing Boundaries: The Power of Interdisciplinary Research
Date, Time: March 20, 2024, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Have you wondered about the difference between interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary, and cross-disciplinary research? Would you like to learn more about exciting research happening on campus?
Interdisciplinary work is increasingly prevalent in Canadian universities, and we know students have many questions about their potential for interdisciplinary work. At this event, you will hear from current members of the Provost’s Program for Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholars at the University of Waterloo, who will share their journeys towards interdisciplinary excellence. Join us to explore how to use interdisciplinary approaches in your own work, enhancing collaboration and strengthening your research impact.
This session is of interest to all students, but particularly those applying for doctoral or postdoctoral positions with an interdisciplinary approach. Postdoctoral scholars are also welcome to join us.
The Art Of Saying ‘No’: Managing Expectations in Graduate School (additional session)
Date, Time: March 27, 2024, 12:00 p.m. - 1:20 p.m.
Graduate Students lead very busy lives with several competing priorities. It is often difficult to decide what activities we should focus our time on, especially with so many different academic and social events going on around us. When it comes time to turn down an invitation to an activity or opportunity, many students struggle with the process of saying no. In this session, we will explore decision-making strategies for deciding when to say yes and when to say no, as well as suggestions and tips for how to convey your decision. Graduate students must manage expectations – and invitations - from faculty, peers, students and friends and family. Developing skills to help manage these expectations can help with your time management, stress and overall success.
Note: This is a repeat of the same session offered in February.
Knock, knock! Making the Most of Opportunities in Graduate School
Date, Time: April 3, 2024, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
When opportunity knocks, graduate students often wonder how to make the most of the experiences available to them. In this session, we will explore how you can maximize your engagement in a variety of activities such as academic and professional conferences, campus activities and professional development. What is available and what should you expect? Join us to learn more!
Fall 2023 events
Uncovering the Hidden Curriculum
Date, Time: November 7, 2023, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
A great way to begin our series is by exploring the hidden curriculum and the impostor phenomenon. The hidden curriculum can most easily be described as the information students are expected to know but that is rarely included in a course syllabus. Experts say there is a hidden curriculum in every academic program and workplace- and graduate school is no different! We will also discuss how to manage feelings of being underprepared or ill-suited for a graduate program, often referred to as imposter phenomenon. Join us to learn about how to navigate these feelings, which can assist you in overcoming the associated challenges and help you thrive in your program.
Planning Your Degree (For Master’s Students)
Date, Time: November 14, 2023, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Your time in your master’s program can go by quickly, so it’s important to start thinking about what you hope to take away from your time in graduate school and how you will achieve your academic milestones within the timelines of your degree.
In this interactive workshop, you’ll have an opportunity to review your academic milestones, consider where your master’s degree could take you, and think about academia and non-academic opportunities available to you in order to design your degree so that it's uniquely tailored to you.
This workshop is based on the principles of Design Thinking from the book Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans.
Supervisory Relationships
Date, Time: December 5, 2023, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
One of the most important relationships you will have during your time in graduate school is the one you share with your supervisor. Join us to learn about supervisor-student relationships, expectations and how to navigate through the experience to create a collaborative and positive experience.
Demystifying Comprehensive and Qualifying Exams
Date, Time: December 12, 2023, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
One of the major milestones of most programs will be the comprehensive or qualifying exams. Students will often feel unsure, especially at the beginning of their program, what to expect from this evaluation of their progress. Join us to learn about what the experience involves, how to plan and what questions to ask your supervisor as you learn more about this important milestone.