Academic Life Coach Programming
Please check here for the latest news on how preventative measures for COVID-19 are affecting campus resources and programming: https://www.vanderbilt.edu/coronavirus/
**Due to recent guidance from the university, Academic Life Coach appointments can now be conducted in-person on campus (for fully vaccinated individuals) or via Zoom - you will have the option when making an appointment through the link below. Programming will take place via Zoom - but in-person option may be available if a suitable space is found that enables both options simultaneously. Information will be updated prior to sessions.**
- Peak Performance (Grad Students and Postdocs) - dates, information and registration links below!
- Critical Conversations for Graduate Students series - see below for descriptions and registration links for Fall 2021!
- Individual Coaching Appointments – Choose date and time to meet 1:1 via Calendly (https://calendly.com/individual-coaching-in-person-or-zoom)
Special Programs
*The Academic Life Coaches invite graduate school students to join us for:
Destress & Decompress, Thursday November 4 from 4:30 – 6:00 PM in Alumni Hall, including:
-Meditation/Mindfulness
-Untangle Stress through Art
-Yoga
-Therapy Animals
-Coffee Bar & Treats
-Academic Life Coaching
-Free T-shirts
Understanding Credit (Financial Wellbeing), Thursday, November 11 from 12:30 – 1:30 PM in the Center for Student Wellbeing
BCC Hot Topics and KCPC Cafe for Graduate Students
Stop by for casual conversation and coffee with a coach -
|
@ The BCC
|
|
@ The KCPC
Wednesdays (September 15, October 20, November 17) 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM |
"Managing Up" for Postdocs
|
Tuesday, October 12
We will work to: Identify ways to effectively engage with supervisors on critical matters with clarity and goal alignment while maintaining a positive work relationship. |
Critical Conversations Series for Graduate Students
These programs are most suitable for students in PhD programs but are open to all Graduate School students (PhD, MA, MS, MLAS, MFA).
You are not required to attend all workshops in the series, just choose those that are most important to you.
Active discussion is encouraged.
Registration required for Zoom link - register through links below
[Due to new guidance from the university, we are investigating options for holding these sessions in-person as well as via Zoom and will update this page and the registration links when more information is available]
Fall 2021
Offered twice this semester - Wednesdays @ noon AND Fridays @ noon (alternating with Peak Performance) - choose the sessions that are best for you!
UPDATE 8/16: Given recent university guidance on COVID restrictions, we are evaluating social distancing options and may be moving to a ZOOM only format for these sessions. We will update registered students/postdocs at least 48 hours before each session on the format.
-
Beyond "Time Management" in Graduate School
Series 1: Wednesday, September 15 12:00 - 1:00 PM - Sarratt or Zoom
Series 2: Friday, September 24 12:00 - 1:00 PM - Eskind Biomedical Library, Training Room (basement level) or ZOOM
Feeling Stuck? Not seeing progress? Losing focus? The ways you approached studying and assignments in past academic environments aren't working? Graduate programs are a very different experience so you will need to approach your projects in a very different way. In this session, we will discuss how to use time and set goals effectively, manage and harness anxiety, perfectionism and imposter syndrome, utilize resources and communicate with your faculty to set expectations and make progress, finish and ultimately finish your program. -
Effective Communication and Working through Conflict in Academia
Series 1: Wednesday, September 22 12:00 - 1:00 PM - Sarratt or ZOOM
Series 2: Friday, October 8 12:00 - 1:00 PM - Eskind Biomedical Library, Training Room (basement level) or ZOOM
Maintaining a positive relationship with your faculty and research mentor is very important and can be achieved through frequent, open and candid communication.. This session will focus on how to establish an open line of communication with your mentor in order to address any differences, in addition to focusing on strategies for improving communication (in person, at a distance, across multiple mentors, and within proper personal boundaries). -
Aligning Expectations and Establishing Productive Academic Relationships
Series 1: Wednesday, September 29 12:00 - 1:00 PM - Sarratt 325/327 or ZOOM
Series 2: Friday, October 22 12:00 - 1:00 PM - Eskind Biomedical Library, Training Room (basement level) or ZOOM
Effective communication is key to a productive and supportive academic relationship - whether that is with you faculty, research advisor/PI/mentor, collaborators or colleagues. Establishing clear expectations and boundaries are integral to that communication and providing a good foundation for future communication and ability to work through conflict - but so many people skip over the collaborative aligning expectations conversation. In this session, we will discuss how to approach the "expectations talk", important topics and ongoing check-ins as the situation evolves through your program and/or project. -
Self-Efficacy: Building Confidence and Independence as a Researcher
Series 1: Wednesday, October 6 12:00 - 1:00 PM - Sarratt 325/327 or ZOOM
Series 2: Friday, November 5 12:00 - 1:00 PM - Eskind Biomedical Library, Training Room (basement level) or ZOOM
Self-efficacy is a belief one has in his/her ability to successfully complete a given goal or task. In other words it is situation specific self-confidence. We will discuss the sources of self-efficacy and strategies for building your research confidence and independence. -
Receiving and Responding to Feedback – The Power of Social Persuasion
Series 1: Wednesday, October 13 12:00 - 1:00 PM - Sarratt 325/327 or ZOOM
Series 2: November 19 12:00 - 1:00 PM - Eskind Biomedical Library, Training Room (basement level) or ZOOM
We will work to (1) Identify the intent behind statements and questions, (2) understand the role of constructive feedback and improve communication between trainees and their mentors, (3) Assess the influence that mentors have on their confidence in their abilities and (4) Devise strategies to cope with and respond to feedback that negatively influences their confidence.
Peak Performance Workshop Series
Workshops facilitated by staff from the University Counseling Center and the Academic Life Coaches.
This workshop series is designed to promote expert performance by exploring common issues impacting graduate and professional students and postdocs. During each session, we will briefly cover theory and research on the topic and provide a space for attendees to discuss their related experiences and to gain support and consultation.
- You are not required to attend all workshops in the series, just choose those that are most important to you.
- RSVP is required to receive the Zoom link
- Active discussion encouraged.
- Workshops are offered every semester.
Fall 2021
All workshops offered on Fridays from 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Offered via Zoom only, for the Fall 2021 term
- September 17 Perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome
- October 1 Managing Conflict and Relationships in Academia
- October 15 Motivation, Mindset & Effective Goal Setting
- October 29 Performing Under Pressure, Fighting Procrastination & Increasing Efficiency
- November 12 Finding Work/Life Balance
Other Support Programming Resources on Campus
-
- Russell G. Hamilton Graduate Leadership Institute
- Career Services (for non-BRET/biomedical graduate students)
- BRET Career Development ASPIRE (biomedical graduate students)
- Center for Student Wellbeing
- Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center
- English Language Center
- Writing Studio
- University Counseling Center
- Project SAFE
- LGBTQI Life
- Bishop Johnson Black Cultural Center