GPAS Programming

Destress and Decompress

Thursday, April 4th from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Graduate & Postdoc Academic Success & The Student Care Network

We hope you will take some time to unwind with the Graduate School. We have several activities and services for you to enjoy including chair massages (registration required upon check-in), one specialty coffee drink, therapy animals, untangle activities, and more. 

Check-in outside of Alumni Hall 100

Spring 2024 Programming: Peak Performance Series

Graduate & Postdoc Academic Success & The Student Care Network

This workshop series is designed to promote expert performance by exploring common issues impacting graduate 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.

Both Graduate Students and Postdocs are welcome to register.

Each session is offered from 4:00 - 5:00 PM on the Thursdays noted. Sessions held in person only. Space is limited, RSVP required.

Spring 2024 Programming

  • Managing Perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome: Jan 25

    Thursday, January 25 from 4-5 p.m.

    This workshop is designed to explore the concepts of Perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome, to share experiences about how they affect our work, and to outline strategies to acknowledge and resist the thoughts that get in our way.

  • Motivation, Mindset, & Effective Goal Setting: Feb 8

    Thursday, February 8 from 4-5 p.m.


    This workshop is designed to explore the concepts of motivation and mindset, to share experiences about how they affect our work, and to outline strategies on how to set goals that keep us motivated and productive.

     

  • Managing Conflict and Relationships: Feb 22

    Thursday, February 22 from 4-5 p.m.

    This workshop is designed to explore conflict within academia, to share experiences about how conflict has affected your work, and to outline strategies on how to navigate academic relationships that foster clear boundaries and expectations.

  • Performing under Pressure & Fighting Procrastination: March 7

    Thursday, March 7 from 4-5 p.m.

    This workshop is designed to acknowledge the pressures of academia, to share experiences about how they affect our work, and to outline strategies on how to fight procrastination and increase efficiency in an ever-demanding environment.

  • Finding Work/Life Balance: March 21

    Thursday, March 21 from 4-5 p.m.

    This workshop is designed to explore your professional and personal values and responsibilities, to share experiences about how they affect your work, and to outline strategies to ensure that you are giving adequate time to your holistic needs.

Dialogue and conversation around the subject by participants is a critical piece of each session as it is always helpful to know you are not the only one struggling with these topics and hear how others are managing. You are not required to speak but it may be helpful in making sure your concerns are addressed.

Co-Working Space for Graduate Students and Postdocs

GPAS co working space, Spring 2024. Tuesdays from 2-4 p.m. in Alumni Hall 100. Free Coffee!GPAS will be hosting co-working space through the Spring 2024 term – graduate students and postdocs are welcome.

If you are looking for a quiet space to work on projects in the company of your colleagues, stop in for awhile on Tuesdays from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Alumni Hall 100.

Free coffee (and sometimes, snacks!)

Stacey or Nick will be there to discuss any goal setting or accountability questions you may have.

We start on January 16.  See you there.

No registration required.

Beyond Time Management - Asynchronous

We have recorded our Beyond Time Management presentation so now you can watch this whenever you have the time and space to do so.  You can access the recording as a course through the Oracle Learning Platform.  Here's what you need to know:

Write On!

An interdisciplinary writing support program for Vanderbilt Graduate School Students and Postdocs

The cyclical nature of academia often provides us the opportunity to reflect on our past experiences and refocus on our needs and priorities. We know that writing is always a priority, but often one that gets pushed aside for the other demands of the day. That is why we, along with our campus partners in the Writing Studio, University Libraries, and the Center for Student Wellbeing (CSW); have created the Write On! Program. We hope you will consider joining in an effort to make progress and productivity on your writing goals for the new semester and the new year.

Developed in response to feedback and requests for strategies, accountability, and connection with peers during the challenging writing process, Write On! takes advantage of new and existing resources to support and guide writing progress and productivity during your academic training at Vanderbilt.

Do you want to make more progress toward your writing goals every semester? Write On! includes programming to help you set achievable goals, establish routines, and meet deadlines within a framework of support and accountability within the Vanderbilt community. The goal is to help graduate students and postdocs develop a daily writing habit that will benefit them in their academic career at Vanderbilt and beyond.

Each semester, we will invite graduate students and postdocs to apply for participation in the program.

  • What is Write On!?
    • Writing accountability group of fellow Vanderbilt/VUMC graduate students/postdocs - Applicants will be asked to answer questions regarding their participation that will help us match them with a group of colleagues to serve as a writing accountability group - academic discipline, year in program/position, when most available to meet, preference for meeting in person or via Zoom, etc - as well as the applicants goals for participation in the program. Our Pilot program indicated that participants who met on a weekly basis were most successful in reaching their desired outcomes and goals.
    • Guided programming from the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD) webinars through Vanderbilt’s institutional membership, in addition to opportunities to participate in campus offerings from The Writing Studio, University Libraries and Peak Performance (from GPAS and Student Care Network) provides additional support throughout the semester.
    • Utilizing these resources, you will set weekly and monthly goals for progress.  Lean into your group for feedback and accountability toward these goals.  Some examples of goals achieved by the pilot program participants over the course of the semester:
      • "Progress on the methods section of my current paper."
      • "Finished fellowship applications."
      • “Made progress on data analysis for a paper manuscript.”
      • “I’ve identified relevant literature, read, and created a literature matrix.
      • “Finished a draft of a poster for a conference.”
  • Expectations of Participants
    • Once accepted, before kick off meeting - Claim your free NCFDD account through Vanderbilt's institutional membership - watch two assigned webinars.
    • Attend Kick off Event on January 11, 2024 (please hold 3-5 pm until confirmed)
    • Every day - we hope that you will develop a daily writing routine over the course of the semester
    • Every week - Engage with your writing group or participate in one workshop (NCFDD or Vanderbilt)
    • Every month - submit your goals for the month and tell us how you did on your goals for the prior month
    • Celebrate your progress!
  • Application

    For Spring 2024 - Complete Application Form due January 4

    Contact GPAS@vanderbilt.edu for more information/questions. 

"Write-On was critical for me in writing my research proposal for my qualifying exam! Having a set time, place, and group of fellow graduate students helped immensely with my writing consistency and focus. I also appreciated having regular support and check-ins from the GPAS staff, and I enjoyed getting to know my fellow graduate students in other departments and disciplines."

Request a Program: Departments/Programs/Organizations

We are happy to accept requests submitted by student/postdoc organizations, staff, and faculty for presentations on services offered by GPAS and topics relevant to academic success for our graduate students and postdoc community.  We are happy to present one of our existing presentations or work with you to tailor a presentation to your group's needs.  Past topics have included:

  • Beyond Time Management - managing progress and productivity in Academia  (includes goal setting principles, etc.)
  • Perfectionism and Imposter Syndrome
  • Aligning Expectations in Academia (establishing expectations with your faculty supervisor)
  • Effective Communication and Working through Conflict in Academia
  • Managing Up!
  • Social Persuasion:  Receiving and Responding to Feedback
  • Building Self-Efficacy - Confidence and Independence as a researcher
  • CliftonStrengths Assessment and Debriefing - for groups and individuals
  • Know your Resources!  - supportive resources for graduate students or postdocs at Vanderbilt (great for departmental orientations!)

To request services, please complete the form on Anchorlink.  Please note: GPAS staff require a minimum of two weeks' notice to consider requests.  All requests will be screened by a staff member within 2-3 business days of the initial request.  Approval of requests are contingent upon scheduling, availability of staff and type of request submitted.

You can also email gpas@vanderbilt.edu with any questions.

Other Support Programming Resources on Campus