Welcome to a new semester! Whether it is your first or tenth, whether you are in Champaign-Urbana or somewhere else in the world, we are glad you are part of the University of Illinois grad student community.
As you get started, we want to highlight some of the opportunities available to you as grad students to help you make a structured but flexible work plan for academic and professional goals, to care for your physical and mental health, to take breaks and do things that aren't work, and to build a support network around you.
We know you have ambitious goals for your work and life this year and want to support you in reaching them. The university has a lot of resources, but it can still occasionally be hard to find the thing you need. We hope this points you toward something to try this semester.
First, the Graduate College is here to help!
The Graduate College is here to help you pursue your academic goals and navigate your journey through graduate school. If you’re stuck and don’t know where to start, you can always reach out to grad@illinois.edu and we'll help you get moving in the right direction.
We would be remiss if we didn’t remind you to read GradLINKS. It’s your source for deadlines, events, and opportunities for graduate students, arriving in your inbox every Sunday.
You can meet one-on-one with staff who specialize in different aspects of graduate education including Academic Success Coaching, Career Development Advising, Diversity and Inclusion Support, Applying for External Fellowships, General Problem Solving and Thesis Writing/Deposit Coaching.
Plan for academic and professional goals
Are you working on a thesis or dissertation this semester? The Thesis Workspace is a canvas-based resource with modules designed to help you navigate the process of writing your thesis, from development to deposit. Remember to use a title page template!
The library offers the Writer’s Workshop and Speakers Workshop, study rooms for individuals, groups, and families, subject specialists with online and in-person research support appointments, doctoral research support, media studios, loanable technology, and more!
Presenting at a conference? Present your work with Illinois-branded templates for research posters or slide decks.
Read and reference the LibGuide Introduction to Generative AI for instructional, professional, and personal learning. It includes ethical considerations, strategies for effective use, and guidelines for documenting and citing AI.
Explore tools for data management “Keeping Track of Your Stuff, or Four Horror Stories in Two Parts”
CITL AI Fluency Modules are asynchronous learning tools to build practical skills and conceptual understanding of generative AI. Complete any six modules and earn your AI Fluency Certificate.
Looking for work on campus – either an assistantship appointment or something shorter term? Visit the Assistantship Clearinghouse and other campus job boards to search for employment opportunities.
Anticipating interviews? Strategies to prepare for job interviews that don't involve trying to guess what questions will be asked.
Wondering if your professional goals are the same as when you started your program? Tips for Navigating Professional Uncertainty.
Applying for faculty jobs (or thinking about the process)? Attend the Faculty Job Search Workshop Series.
Trying to set some intentional goals? Explore the Grad PLAN resources. These self-evaluation and career planning tools were specifically designed with University of Illinois graduate students in mind.
Caring for your physical and mental health
Your health service fee covers many things including office or telehealth visits within the units at the McKinley Health Center and the Counseling Center and over-the-counter supplies including cold care products, allergy medications, and wound care that you can find in vending machine self-care stations located in the Illini Union, Grainger Library, and the ACES Library.
Many prescriptions filled in the McKinley pharmacy have a $5 co-pay and flu shots are free!
Schedule appointments with McKinley online or by calling 217.333.2700. Use that same number to Dial-a-Nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are many ways to schedule appointments with the Counseling Center:
- If you need to be seen immediately, you can always go to the Counseling Center during business hours without an appointment.
- Call the Counseling Center for a same-day or future appointment at 217-333-3704 during business hours.
- Schedule online
- Email an embedded counselor in your college, or another college. Visit the directory.
You can also schedule a 15-minute “Let’s Talk” appointment with an embedded clinical counselor. Appointments are like mental health office hours: to discuss campus and community resources that best fit your needs.
Mental Health First Aid training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. It is offered throughout the semester, often for free.
Looking for a free meal? Being hungry can affect your academic abilities to be successful and impact your overall wellbeing. There are many places on campus and in the community to find a meal when you might need one.
Learn about healthy eating with an appointment with a registered dietician or nutrition coaching.
McKinley's stress management program offers one-on-one appointments and workshops as well as online relaxation exercises.
Try something fun
Visit outdoor spaces on campus. Walk in the Arboretum to see the changing seasons, explore the Idea Garden and Japan House.
Use the labs at the Siebel Center for Design for tools from 3D printers, to sewing machines, to table saws and drill presses to laser cutters and a media studio.
Try a sporty activity by joining an intramural team for pickleball, outdoor soccer, beach volleyball, floor hockey, or bowling starting in August and more activities (including dodgeball starting later in the semester). Register a whole team or as an individual to get matched with a team.
Free concerts at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts most Thursday evenings.
Take a cooking class at the Instructional Kitchen in the ARC.
Enjoy art by visiting Krannert Art Museum for a lunchtime break. Sign up for the student mailing list for updates on exhibitions, artist visits, free performances, maker events, social nights, and more.
You can take a one credit course in Health and Kinesiology to learn a variety of activities (bowling, ice skating, badminton, and more!).
Free or discounted tickets for students to cheer on the Fighting Illini! The fall season includes women’s soccer, volleyball, cross-country, football, and golf.
Get adventurous with climbing clinics or outdoor gear rentals.
Build a network of support
Create yourself a network of mentors with help from Grad College mentoring resources.
Explore the over 1000 student groups available on campus.
Share diverse and rich cultures. Cultural and resource centers invite all students to gather. Visit relaxed spaces for studying or meetings, join grad student networks and events, look for book clubs, Lunch on Us and more.
Meet fellow grad students and explore campus opportunities. Check out the calendar of events and opportunities happening across campus next week for Grad Student Days, including Find My Friends: Graduate Student Edition, LGBTQ+ Grad Student Welcome, First Gen Resource Fair and Graduate Orientation for Women (GrOW).
Andrea Bridges is the Director for Graduate Student Wellbeing and Community. Andrea earned degrees from Gordon College and Duke University. You can often find her in the garden or at a youth sporting event.
