Graduate Student Orientation

“I wish I knew about this when I was just starting…” In the library, we hear this sentence a lot from graduate students when we introduce them to writing, research, and thesis-support resources and strategies. Guess what? You are just starting. In this 60 minute session, Nicole White (Head of the Research Commons) and Julia Lane (Writing Services Coordinator) will introduce key tools, supports, spaces, and services for you to put in your research and writing toolkit.

The Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU) is dedicated to improving working conditions for teaching assistants (TAs) and many other workers on SFU’s campuses. We are here to support you by helping you understand and stand up for your rights, whether that’s understanding the Collective Agreement, your TA contract, your benefits, your rights as a TA, and more!

Graduate Studies award staff will provide an overview of funding sources, related resources, tips and tricks on how to use our Graduate Awards System and Document Library. We’ll also cover and answer any questions related to Tri-agency and other major competitions, award processing and payments.

Let’s explore the role that effective communication plays in your transition journey to SFU. Whether you are forming new social or professional relationships, being self-aware of your communication style and personal background may better allow you to feel heard, understood and supported by others in our diverse cultural and linguistic context. Let's navigate things together!

In this session, we will discuss the student-supervisor relationship, a major component of your graduate school experience. You'll learn best practices for building a productive and supportive partnership, understand important policies and regulations that guide these relationships, and have the opportunity to ask questions to ensure you're set up for success. This session will provide you with the tools and insights needed to thrive in your graduate school journey.

At this session you will learn more about the GSS services (Health, Dental, UPass, & more) as well as our advocacy work for individual students and through collective campaigns. You can also find out about getting involved either from within your department or directly with the GSS and its committees. As a member driven organization, we hope to build community among graduate students through events, socials and our collective work with the society. Join us!

Come and visit.  Talk to and meet the Indigenous person who will be sending you informative emails during your time at the university. Learn some of the significant places and resources that can make your pathway at SFU more enjoyable and easier to navigate.