A bee sits on a sunflower on UC Davis' campus.

Thriving in Graduate School

Join Thriving in Graduate School to learn how to cultivate well-being in your personal, academic, and professional life. This year-long program includes a weekly newsletter and frequent in-person workshops and informal events. Graduate students can sign up at any time.

Register for Thriving in Graduate School

Follow Thriving in Graduate School on Instagram

View the Thriving in Graduate School Handout

You can also find Thriving in Graduate School on Slack! Search for the #thrivingingraduateschool channel.

By joining Thriving in Graduate School, you will:

  • Receive weekly emails with tips to help you incorporate well-being practices into your life
  • Learn tools for creating conditions for well-being, in addition to receiving resources that you can follow up with such as blogs, TEDTalks, and scholarly articles.
  • Be invited to bi-weekly community events to stay connected and share your experience with one another where we have a professional from the community speak on topics from the newsletters 
  • Attend community-building events such as hiking, exploring the Davis Farmer’s Market, and Trivia Night

Tips to help you thrive in graduate school:

  • Do at least one thing a day just to make you happy.
  • Forgive yourself for not being able to do everything and make sure to ask for help from your friends, family, and mentors if you need to.
  • Meet with friends regularly and have fun together. Sometimes the best thing you can do after a really busy day is watching a bad movie with friends.
  • Have fun moving your body (jogging, dancing, rock climbing, biking, gardening, etc.).
  • Meet with your mentor and the instructor you work to set up expectations for the upcoming quarter. Make sure to communicate your other responsibilities and personal needs.
  • Practice help-seeking behaviors. Use your resources and seek medical advice, when necessary.
  • Dedicate a specific hour at some point during the day to respond to students’ emails and claim the rest of your day.