SFU Graduate Student Handbook

Checklist for Managing Your Progress

Communication issues are the most frequent source of misunderstandings between graduate students and their supervisors. Using this checklist will help reduce misunderstandings and expedite your degree completion.

Every Term

• Establish your goals for the term: courses, research, writing, teaching, TA/TM positions
• Establish a regular meeting schedule. Discuss progress, as well as where you need help or advice
• Discuss your plans for professional development: conferences, workshops, learning new techniques, etc.
• Discuss requirements for financial support
• Initiate approvals as needed for ethics or safety requirements, and factor the time required for this into your timeline

At least once a year

• Meet and discuss your annual progress (going back one year) and plans (going forward one year) with your entire supervisory committee: This will normally entail a formal meetings of the Supervisory Committee and the student; The resultant report on the student’s progress may be either written by the Supervisor or drafted by the student and endorsed — possibly in modified form — by the Supervisor; The Supervisor is responsible for transmitting the report to the chair of the Graduate Program Committee, with a copy to the student.
• Discuss plans for major absences, either yours or those of your committee members
• Review your long-term plan for completion of your degree. Ensure that the current year’s plan is consistent with the long-term plan.
• Discuss your plan for publishing research results and/or co-authorship of papers.
• Consult with your supervisory committee about your career goals following graduation. They are a valuable part of your professional network and can help you establish realistic post-graduation goals.

Learn more about Managing Your Program and Supervision.