1. Manage courses, program, money
 Student Service
Centrehttps://ssc.adm.ubc.ca/sscportal/servletsSRVSSCFramework
 Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies www.grad.ubc.ca
 Money management help http://www.students.ubc.ca/finance/get-started-
from-here/
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources
 Graduate Pathways to Success https://www.grad.ubc.ca/current-
students/gps-graduate-pathways-success
 Centre for Student Involvement and Careers
http://students.ubc.ca/career/careers-services-graduate-students
Build my career

2. UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources
 UBC Libraries http://www.library.ubc.ca/
 Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology http://www.tag.ubc.ca
 Learning Commons http://learningcommons.ubc.ca/
 Academic English Support Program http://www.cstudies.ubc.ca/aes/index.html
 Access and Diversity http://www.students.ubc.ca/access/index.cfm
 Writing Centre http://cstudies.ubc.ca/writing/
Plan for Success

3. UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources
 BC Medical Services Plan (MSP) http://www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/msp
 AMS/GSS Insurance Plan http://www.studentcare.net/
 Student Health Service http://www.students.ubc.ca/health/
 Wellness Centre wellness.centre@ubc.ca
http://www.students.ubc.ca/livewelllearnwell/explore-wellness/wellness-centre/
 Counselling Serviceshttp://www.students.ubc.ca/counselling
Live well to learn well

4. Have some fun, connect with others
 UBC Rec (Intramurals and Recreational Sports) http://www.rec.ubc.ca/
 AMS Campus Life Resources http://www.ams.ubc.ca/studentsociety/
 Graduate Student Society http://gss.ubc.ca/main/
 Grad Student Online Forum http://forum.grad.ubc.ca/
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources

5. UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Campus Resources
Get Advice, Resolve Problems
• Office of the Ombudsperson for Students
http://www.ombudsoffice.ubc.ca
 Equity and Inclusion Office http://equity.ubc.ca/
 International Student Development (―I House‖)
http://www.students.ubc.ca/international/index.cfm
 Your department Graduate Advisor and Staff
 Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

6. 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
1. Be proactive – take responsibility for your own grad
school experience
• Be your own ―project manager‖ – take initiative to get what you need
from your supervisor/committee
• Look for (or create) opportunities to help you get what you want
from graduate school
• Continue the mental transition from waiting for direction to charting
your own course

7. 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
2. Establish positive relationships with your supervisor
and others
• Seek regular contact with your supervisor. Make your time
together productive.
• Follow up on items discussed in meetings – keep your
supervisor(s) informed of your progress and challenges
• Act as a ―junior colleague‖ – ask questions, advance ideas, show
interest and support for shared goals
• Deal with problems sooner rather than later.

8. 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
3. Embrace the wider (even global) academic
community
• Don‘t isolate – reach out within and beyond your program to find
collaborators and community
• Get out there! Look into research mobility grants; present at
conferences ($500 available to every grad student to present at a
conference)
• Become involved with University activities beyond your own
work—seminars, committees, events

9. 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
4. Develop effective project management strategies
• Know your program requirements and set a ‗Master Plan‖ for
achieving milestones, revisit as needed. Give yourself deadlines.
• Structure your time and efforts—develop a regular work
schedule that works for you.
• Schedule regular meetings with your supervisor and committee
to keep things moving along
• Stay focussed on your goals. Reduce distractions wherever
possible.

10. 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
5. Plan for various career paths from the start
• There are (usually) many options…explore, then hone in on what
seems most interesting to YOU.
• Build both specific and diverse skills for possible careers. Watch for
offerings through the Graduate Pathways to Success program,
your Dept. and elsewhere.
• Develop a network of positive contacts.
• Engage with the wider UBC & Vancouver community.

11. 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
6. Prevent or deal effectively with problems
Problem Prevent Resolve
Supervision
Clarify expectations early;
develop shared goals
Good communication; seek help
from Graduate Advisor or Grad
Studies
Academic
progress
Clarify expectations early; set
and stick to plan
Reflect on goals, seek help
early from supervisor or
Graduate Advisor
Financial Plan ahead; make a budget
Seek help from program or ESP
advisor in Brock Hall
Personal
Good self-care; connect with
others; watch for early trouble
signs
Reach out to those who care;
Counseling Services
Academic
misconduct
Learn about plagiarism &
research ethics, get support
when feeling pressured
???

12. 7 Keys to Success in Graduate School
UBC Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies | Orientation | Success in Graduate School
7. Seek balance and support in your life
• Stay connected to friends and family outside school
• Eat well, sleep consistently, exercise regularly
• Reach out to those around you—staff, faculty members and
especially other students, who can help you through the tough times
• Keep grad school in perspective—be a finisher!