FREE 5 MINUTE VIDEO TRAINING
Achieving Graduate Student Success through Timely Resources
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Identify resources that currently exist for grads across your campus
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Create a navigable “map” of resources for students
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Position “just in time” supports on a visual timeline
“It’s hard to know when I’m making progress or if I’m doing well…Or what is even going on.”
“I don't have a sense of belonging...demographically, there are not a lot of people who look like me here.”
“‘My advisor said, ‘The only advice I can give you is write’...[I was] supposed to figure out everything on my own...”
"One of the greatest challenges for me has been time management, there's so much to do…readings, assignments, work, my research assistantship.”
Does this sound familiar? These are statements from grad students we have talked with around the country.
Graduate school is hard. As fellow former grad students ourselves and professionals who support graduate students, we (Kate and Laura) get it.
We can help. Through working with hundreds of graduate students, first at the Princeton University Center for Teaching and Learning and now across institutions, we have developed a suite of effective programs specifically designed to help grads succeed in their programs–wherever they are, and whatever their struggles. We support international and domestic students, first-gen and BIPOC students, neurodivergent and students with disabilities, parents and caregiving students, grad students just out of college and grad students returning to school after many years.
We offer cross-institutional community and high touch, tailored support–with real people in real-time. Based on our expertise in working with graduate students and in the field of teaching and learning, we can help grads to:
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Acquire new skills to meet grad education's distinctive academic demands–such as learning to prioritize and use time intentionally; write, read, and make notes effectively; and manage large and complex research projects
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Cultivate productive relationships with an advisor so that students have the support they need to complete their dissertation or MA capstone or thesis
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Develop effective strategies to cope with stress and multiple demands on time
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Gain accountability with cross-institutional support from a small group of grad students and increase feelings of connection and belonging
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Stay in school, complete their degree, and fully flourish as graduate students
Let's face it: graduate school represents an incredible investment of time, energy, and money. We are here to say it doesn’t have to be this hard. Why wouldn't you
We (Laura and Kate) founded GradTLC to support graduate students--and the administrators who support them.
We look forward to partnering with you.
Hundreds of grad students have trusted us to help them achieve their goals, including from:
Are these your challenges?
"Am I really prepared for this?"
"How can I find out what's expected of me,
and whether I'm meeting the mark?"
"There's no way I can do all the assigened reading."
"Am I smart enough to be here?"
“I have so many commitments
and not enough time.”
"I'm not sure how to ask for help, or even who to ask."
“How do I ‘participate’ in seminar courses?”
“I’m still figuring out how to be a grad student, and now I have to teach?!”
“Phew! I finished required courses....
But now what?!”
"How can I write consistently?"
“My advisor isn't giving me useful or timely feedback.”
"Am I the only one who feels this way?"
"Will I ever be done?"
You are not alone.
We have heard these issues raised by hundreds of graduate students.
Grad school is hard. In the most recent national study* only 57% of PhD students completed their degrees within 10 years.
Below is a graph of the completion rate for Humanities PhDs over ten years.
*Council of Graduate Schools PhD Completion and Attrition Study, 2008. Data taken over 10 year period from 30 programs.
Graduate school is challenging and noble work.
You deserve the tools to do it effectively and enjoy the process.
Excel Academically
Learn key skills to succeed as a student and excel as a professional
Cultivate well-being
Thrive as a whole person, embracing what you value and aligning future goals with current actions.
Finish successfully
Complete graduate school and move forward with purpose
Imagine what it would mean to
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Excel in grad school because you know what to expect
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Join a supportive community of like-minded peers
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Gain effective learning, reading and note-making strategies
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Navigate courses, classroom, and campus dynamics with ease
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Work with your advisor effectively
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Use your time intentionally
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Meet your goals consistently
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Plan and execute your capstone, thesis or dissertation successfully
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Get enough sleep
We work with:
All grad students in Professional, PhD, and Masters programs, including:
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Grads at all stages: from just out of college to established professionals
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Grads who are parents or caretakers
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International students
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Grads who are neurodivergent and/or have disabilities
Grad school is likely different from everything that you've experienced before, and it can be challenging in unexpected and confusing ways.
You can do this!
As experts in graduate education, adult learning, and well-being,
at GradTLC we foster community, flourishing, and scholarly success for Masters, Professional, and Doctoral students.
Together, let's change these statistics.
Our programs offer skills and strategies to help you complete your degree successfully, as part of a supportive community, and while centering your well-being.
Hear what participants have to say
Learn more about our offerings
Course Info
Structure:
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Typically 6 weeks long, with 6 asynchronous modules and 6 live, facilitated virtual meetings
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Tailored, high-touch, connected support
Time Commitment:
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Approximately 2-3 hours/week on your own
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50 minutes /week for live meetings
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total: ~ 20-24 hours/course
Why Participate?
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Explore and practice evidence-based tools and strategies to learn and thrive as a grad student
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Reflect on key issues that will help you learn and thrive as a grad student beyond your program's curriculum
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Cultivate well-being and feelings of belonging as a grad student, and counteract impostor stress and isolation
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Dismantle the "hidden curriculum" of grad school
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Create a community of fellow grad students beyond your institution
Groups Info
Structure:
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Live, virtual meetings with a small group, led by expert facilitator
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Tailored, high-touch, connected support
Time Commitment:
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75 minutes/week for 12 weeks
Why Participate?
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Access the support, community, and feeling of belonging from your peers that will boost your success in grad school
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Make actionable goals and be held accountable to them
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Share and learn strategies for thriving as a graduate student
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Discuss the ins and outs of academic writing
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Write together (if desired)
Register for Upcoming Events
- “What happens when I never have to take another class?”Wed, Apr 30Virtual Event
- Discerning dissertating #1 - PlanningThu, May 016 virtual live meetings / 6 online modules
- Impostors Anonymous GroupTue, May 06Virtual, live conversations
- “I love (or hate) my thesis, but I can’t make progress in writing.”Wed, May 28Virtual event
- Writing Accountability Groups: SummerFri, Jun 06Weekly virtual meetings over 12 weeks
- “I’m ready to leave midway thru PhD program- what can I do?”Wed, Jun 25Virtual Event
- Gateway to Grad SchoolThu, Jul 10seven-week live meetings/online modules
- “My advisor is leaving” - and other tough issues with facultyWed, Jul 23Virtual Event
- “Wait - I just learned how to be a grad student, and now I have to teach?!”Wed, Aug 27Virtual Event
- “Why is it so hard to get anything done?” Cultivating New Habits (1)Wed, Sep 24Interactive webinar
- How do I prepare for and "participate" in a seminar course? Navigating CourseworkWed, Oct 22virtual mini-workshop
- “Help! My advisor isn’t giving me timely or useful input.”Wed, Nov 19Virtual Event
1/29
“Why is it so hard to get anything done?” Cultivating New Habits for the New Year
2/26
How do I prepare for and ‘participate’ in a seminar course?” Navigating coursework
3/26
“My advisor won’t give me timely or useful feedback” Mentoring Up
4/30
“What happens when I never have to take another class?” Completing Coursework and Candidacy exams
5/28
“I love (or hate!) my dissertation–but I can’t make progress in writing” Planning for a Productive Summer
6/26
“I am ready to quit midway into my PhD program–what can I do?” Considering goals, and charting a way forward
7/23
“My advisor is leaving”–and other tough issues with faculty mentors” Mentoring Up
8/20
“Wait - I just learned how to be a grad student, and now I have to teach?” Balancing teaching & scholarship