Orientation

Orientation Header

The Graduate School offers two orientation sessions to support your transition: one for all new graduate students, GradStart, and another specifically for those serving as teaching assistants (TAs). For both GradStart and TA Orientation offerings, it is important to note that programs and departments may offer and require attendance at additional orientation offerings. Please register for the sessions that apply to you.

 

Orientation Type Who Should Attend Registration Required
New Graduate Student Orientation- GradStart All incoming graduate students Yes- the link will be available August 5, 2025
Teaching Assistant (TA) Orientation Graduate students with teaching assistant assignments Yes- the link provided in July 2025

Steps to enroll: 

  1. Navigate to the designated registration site. 
  2. Click “+”
  3. Click “Add to Cart”
  4. Click “Checkout”
  5. You will be directed to a University of Florida (UF) sign-in website. Please log in to “UF Log in with GatorLink”
  6. Check the policy confirmation (It is blank)
  7. Check “Continue Checkout”
  8. You are ready to take the course. The course will be on your CANVAS site, or go to UF eLearning (CANVAS)

See below for important details respective to GradStart and TA Orientation offerings. Additionally, the University of Florida International Center (UFIC) has created a series of pre-arrival videos for new international students. 

GradStart is the Graduate School's home for orientation resources for all incoming graduate students. GradStart is a Canvas-based orientation program. It provides asynchronous modules that introduce academic expectations at UF. GradStart materials and the event schedule are both accessible through eLearning, and all graduate students are invited to begin navigating the course prior to their first semester.  Most live sessions will be recorded and posted in the GradStart Canvas course. 

  • Master's and Doctoral students who have been admitted must self-enroll in the GradStart course. The registration link will be available on August 5th. 

Note: Participation in GradStart, including engagement with its content and attendance at live sessions, is strongly encouraged. GradStart is designed to help new graduate students connect with essential campus resources and support networks. Please note that it does not replace program-level orientations, which will be held separately by individual departments.

Questions? Email grad-success@ufl.edu

 

Date

Title

Intended Audience

 Register to attend 

Wednesday, July 2nd

9:00 a.m. EST

Via Zoom Webinar

Navigating the Off-Campus Housing Market and Exploring Life in Gainesville

All new graduate students

Register Here

Wednesday, July 9th

9:00 a.m. EST

Via Zoom Webinar

Understanding graduate assistant appointments (with Human Resources)

All new graduate students

Register Here

Wednesday, July 16th

9:00 a.m. EST

Via Zoom Webinar

Exploring and engaging with Campus Resources for success: In this session, we highlight services and resources available to you as a new Gator grad student!

All new Graduate Students

Register Here

Wednesday, July 23rd

9:00 a.m. EST

Via Zoom Webinar

Life in the Swamp: Join us for a panel discussion with current graduate students. In this session, you'll learn about involvement opportunities, grad life, campus traditions, and ideas to support your well-being. 

All new Graduate Students

Register Here

Thursday, August 5th

GradSTART Canvas Course opens

All new Graduate Students [Summer and Fall 2025]

Enroll here

Thursday, August 14th

10 a.m. to 12 p.m

Via Zoom Webinar

GradStart Live Session- Official Welcome and Keynote

All new Graduate Students

The Zoom link is located in the GradSTART course 

Thursday, August 14th

1:30 p.m. -3:00 p.m.

Via Zoom Webinar

International Student Orientation with the UF International Center and the UF Counseling and Wellness Center (CWC)

Mandatory for New F-1 international students

The Zoom link is located in the GradSTART course 

Friday, August 29th

11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Reitz Student Union

Organization and Resource Fair

Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with various departments and participate in campus involvement opportunities.

All Graduate Students

In-person registration is not required

Wednesday, September 3rd 

11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Via Zoom Webinar

Workshop: Wellbeing and Accommodations hosted by GatorWell Health Promotion Services and the Disability Resource Center. 

All Graduate Students

Register Here

Wednesday, September 10th 

11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Via Zoom Webinar

Workshop: Academic Resources for Research and Beyond hosted by the UF Libraries.

All Graduate Students

Register Here

 

 

In collaboration with the Center for Teaching Excellence, the UF Graduate School will host the Fall 2025 New Teaching Assistant (TA) Orientation. New TA Orientation is offered in two parts and is mandatory for graduate students who will be first time teaching assistants beginning in the Fall 2025, Spring 2026, or Summer 2026 semesters. 

  • Part one will feature a welcome and overview of the TA role, a keynote speaker, opportunities to learn from experienced TAs and Faculty while engaging with the panel of experts, and pertinent information from Graduate Assistants United (GAU).   
  • Part two will be held through a Canvas course for the duration of the Fall semester. New TAs will navigate modules in Canvas/E-Learning to learn about regulations and policies such as student records, classroom management, disability and academic accommodations, best practices, and resources for new TAs

Registration will open in July 2025.

If you have any questions about TA Orientation, please email grad-success@ufl.edu