excel
graduate students
As a graduate student, you come to UGA ready to EXCEL in your area of study by dedicating your time and energy toward earning a graduate degree. We encourage you to tap into the resources available at UGA to support you as you continue your educational journey as a member of the Bulldog Nation!
Pathway to Success
Welcome to UGA! There are so many exciting opportunities waiting for you both inside and outside of the classroom. This pathway is designed to help you navigate your first year at UGA as a graduate student. Integrate these suggestions as they best fit into your personal and academic goals.
Get Started
- Complete the action items on The Graduate School's Incoming Student "To-Do" List.
- Attend the Graduate School Orientation & Information Fair and your department’s orientation.
- Attend Welcome Week events hosted by Graduate and Professional Scholars (GAPS). Follow them on Facebook and Instagram for more information on their events
- Attend the Fall Professional Development Kick-Off for Graduate Students on Monday, August 23 from 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm. Learn more and register here!
- Write down personal goals for your first year of graduate school. Check out this worksheet from the UGA Mentor Program to help you craft your SMART goals.
Know Your Campus
Stay on Track
- Work closely with your advisor and the faculty in your department to make sure you are on the right track toward fulfilling the requirements for your specific graduate degree.
- Create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) to help support, plan and track short and long-term goals for career development and learning opportunities. Check out these resources from The Graduate School to help you develop your IDP.
Get Engaged
- Participate in the Graduate Student Association (GSA), Graduate and Professionals Scholars (GAPS), and/or Graduate Research Assistants Diversifying STEM (GRADS).
- Explore hundreds of student organizations on the Involvement Network. You may wish to start with Graduate and Professional Student Community organizations.
- Discover and join professional organizations related to your field of study so you can begin to build connections.
- Join LISTSERVS for your program college to receive timely information about upcoming events (Check departmental websites).
- Participate in Dawg Day of Service, held during the fall semester.
- Attend a Graduate Student Success Series workshop hosted by The Graduate School to gain knowledge and skills needed to succeed in graduate school.
- Attend a student success workshop presented by the Division of Academic Enhancement (DAE).
- Learn about (and sign-up for) opportunities to serve in the Athens Community on GivePulse.
- Find opportunities to get involved in Athens.
- Attend free (or discounted) campus events:
Get Support
- Check out The Graduate School's professional development resources.
- Participate in the "Transitioning from a Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) to a Predominantly White Institution (PWI)" workshops, a series of transition workshops hosted by The Graduate School.
- Get 24/7 mental health support by calling Counseling & Psychiatric Services (CAPS) at 706-542-2273.
- Check out the Division of Academic Enhancement's Graduate Student Resources.
- Join the UGA Mentor Program to connect with the Bulldog family.
- If you need help with a writing assignment, make an appointment with a GRADSWrite Graduate Writing Consultant in the UGA Writing Center.
- Get in touch with Student Care & Outreach to create a network of support.
- Attend a free BeWellUGA well-being workshop at the University Health Center.
- Be aware of resources such as Wellness Coaching, the ASPIRE Clinic, or Financial Hardship Resources, and the Graduate School Emergency Fund Program.
- Be aware of UGA’s mental health and well-being resources.
- Visit student.uga.edu and well-being.uga.edu to learn more about campus resources that are here to support you.
Learn About Tradition
Adapted from Mercer University’s Orangeprint