On August 12, 2021, The Graduate School hosted two orientation webinars for incoming students. Here are some of the questions posed by incoming students with answers provided by Carolina graduate students, faculty, and staff.
What are some specific things to avoid or some common mistakes, for the first year?
Answered live at 11:23
Could you all speak just a little bit about what students should look for in a good mentor or advisor?
Answered live at 16:23
Who can students turn to for help on finding resources on campus when students are in need?
Answered live at 24:23
Having more work and less guidance, how did you find success, while attending graduate school?
Answered live at 31:45
If any of you all have participated in certificate programs, could you speak to that experience and what you've gained?
Answered live at 36:55
What’s your top specific and actionable productivity/time management hack?
Answered live at 40:00
When would you be worried about not having a well-defined research question converging? As in, how much time is there to “explore” within your subfield before committing to a narrow question?
Answered live at 41:30
Is there anything you wish you knew as an incoming graduate student that you discovered on your own like non campus related resources or any hidden gems?
Answered live at 44:58
Can you speak to the process for applying for different funding opportunities that are available?
Answered live at 48:41
As an international student, could you speak a little bit more about just what it was like adapting to the US culture and share any advice for navigating Carolina once here?
Answered live at 51:00
Questions from webinar chat
Is there a way to visit the library virtually? If you are an online student?
There are a lot of events, including virtual tours, on the library website under “upcoming events” (scroll down), including virtual tours and info fairs.
Great advice about utilizing the library resources—where do we start? Who do we make an appointment with?
The library system website is a great place to start. Your department or school might also have a specific library. For instance, Park Library is part of the journalism school. You can make an appointment with a specific librarian from your school library website. Most have useful chat features, too.
What do clubs and student orgs look like for graduate students? Do graduate students have the same access to some student orgs as undergraduate students?
The Graduate School hosts a series of professional development activities that you can join. Also, the Center for Faculty Excellence hosts workshops and graduate students are welcome to attend (some) events.
Separately is there free parking anywhere near/on campus?"
Is Davis Library considered the grad student library?
It’s definitely the largest library on campus. Your school or area might have its own library, too, such as the Health Sciences Library or the Park Library in the journalism school. Both undergraduates and graduate students have access to Davis Library. However, there is also an “Undergraduate Library,” also known as the UL.
Which bus systems do you recommend if commuting from outside Chapel Hill? What recommendations do you have for commuting to campus from Durham or other neighboring towns? Is it free for UNC students to use the GoTriangle bus system?
Check out GoTriangle for more information on transit options from outside of Chapel Hill.
Any good kayaking spots?
There are multiple locations for paddling around the Triangle, including at nearby University Lake and the Eno and Haw Rivers. You may also be interested in Carolina Adventures outdoor expeditions hosted by Campus Recreation.
How can I find other first-generation graduate students?
What advice would you offer this incoming class, knowing that they're coming in at a very unique time in our history, one that hopefully will be very, very different next fall?
Answered live at 9:52
Could you share an obstacle or challenge you overcame during graduate school and how you persevered- what it took to get around that obstacle and how you how you ultimately came to stay in graduate school?
Answered live at 17:58
Do you have advice for our incoming students in terms of how they have they select a good mentor how do they find a good advisor?
Answered live at 23:54
What advice can you give to a clueless new grad student who doesn’t know what to expect from grad school or what to research?
Answered live at 29:18
What advice would you give students in terms of how they can make connections and, in particular, how do they connect with faculty- how do they develop meaningful relationships with faculty that might turn into mentoring relationships.
Answered live at 36:13
What advice would you give new graduate students on how to prioritize things and how to basically prevent themselves from becoming overwhelmed?
Answered live at 33:13
What you see as the value add of certificates and would you give students some advice in terms of how and when they might think about applying and joining a certificate program?
Answered live at 40:36
What advice would you give folks coming from very, very different backgrounds? For example, an older adult who spent 20+ years working in industry? Or a younger/less experienced student straight from undergrad?
Answered live at 43:01
Can you talk about how graduate students are financially supported in your departments?
Answered live at 47:40
What's your favorite day trip out of Chapel hill?
Answered live at 51:30
Questions from webinar chat:
I was wondering about resources on campus to help us find grants and other forms of research funding that we can plan ahead for.
I’m coming from a different university and everything at UNC-CH seems pretty different. It’s hard navigating the online aspects, like where to find my syllabi, who my professors are, etc. Who can I reach out to? Where can I find my assignments?
If the instructor uses Sakai, you will see what they choose to post— such as syllabus, assignments, readings. Some instructors will communicate prior to the first day of classes. Others will hand out a syllabus on the first day of class. You may also want to speak with your academic program student services manager, director of graduate studies, or your own advisor if you have been assigned one already about some of your specific questions.
I am interested in hearing about the certificate programs. What are the more popular programs; is it a great deal more work wise to take on with a master’s program, how many people participate, etc.?
Check out the list of certificate programs. If you are interested in them, we encourage you to reach out to each program directly for more information.
Are there any organizations/clubs/activities specifically geared toward graduate students?
Are we able to access our courses online before school starts? Or will we learn about how to access and navigate that on the first day?
If the instructor uses Sakai, yes, you will see what they choose to post— such as syllabus, assignments, readings. Some instructors will communicate prior to the first day of classes. Others will hand out a syllabus on the first day of class.
Some of my classes still don’t have a location posted and classes start next week- when can I expect the locations to be posted? (I’m an out-of-state student, so even though I’ve already walked campus a few times, I’m still getting used to it).
Keep checking in your Student Center in ConnectCarolina. You can also speak with your academic program student services manager staff member or faculty director of graduate studies about logistical questions.
Who would you recommend that I reach out to make sure I am enrolled in all the correct courses for my first semester?
Your student services manager in your specific academic program is a great resource for all these types of questions!
I received an email with the name of my advisor, but when I looked on ConnectCarolina, I didn’t see anyone. How can I figure out who my advisor is?
Your student services manager in your specific academic program is a great resource for all these types of questions!
Can I combine classes I took at my undergraduate university with classes here to finish a certificate?
Check out the list of certificate programs. If you are interested in them we encourage you to reach out to each program directly for more information.
When will we be assigned our advisors?
Your student services manager in your specific academic program is a great resource for all these types of questions!
Where can we find our program specific student services manager?
Generally, it is the staff member who has been communicating logistics information to you so far -- check your program website for staff or ask your advisor or director of graduate studies who in the department or School can assist with these types of questions.
Is Sakai the primary website where we can find our syllabi, assignments, etc? If so, when will our courses appear on this site?
If the instructor uses Sakai, yes you will see what they choose to post -- such as syllabus, assignments, readings. Some instructors will communicate prior to the first day of classes. Others will hand out a syllabus on the first day of class.
Is there a main page with grants/scholarships to apply to for graduate students?
The Graduate Funding Information Center (GFIC) supports current and prospective UNC-Chapel Hill graduate students seeking sources of funding for independent research, collaborative projects, fellowships, program development, and other scholarly activities. For more information visit the Graduate Funding Information Center (GFIC) website or contact them at gfic@unc.edu.
Parking and Transportation
Parking in near campus is very limited, please plan ahead and use mass transportation if possible.
