Orientation Resources

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 which contain an introduction to academic expectations at UF, and also includes live information sessions prior to the beginning of the semester. 

GradStart materials and the event schedule are both accessible through eLearning, and all graduate students are invited to participate prior to each Fall and Spring semester.  All live sessions will be recorded and posted in the GradStart Canvas course. 

Master's and Doctoral students who have been admitted will be added to GradStart. The course will open August 1, 2023. 

Note: GradStart event attendance is strongly encouraged. They are not meant to replace program-level activities, which will be held separately, but are very helpful for acquainting new graduate students with available resources. The F-1 session is required for international students, on the 16th.

 Pre-semester Live Sessions and Campus Resources 

 August 8, 2023 

9:00 am-9:45 am (EST):  Wellbeing and Accommodations  

10:00 am-10:45 am (EST): Identifying Accessibility Resources  

August 10, 2023  

9:00 am-10:00 am (EST): Library resources 

10:00 am -11:00 am (EST): Graduate Student Panel - Tips for succeeding in graduate school   

 August 16, 2023 

9:00 am - 11:00 am (EST): Graduate School welcome and Keynote   

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm (EST): F1- International Student Orientation  (Mandatory for F-1 International Students)

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm (EST): Cross Cultural Adjustment   

ALL ZOOM SESSION LINKS AND RECORDINGS ARE FOUND IN THE GRADSTART CANVAS COURSE. IF YOU DO NOT SEE THE COURSE IN YOUR DASHBOARD AT https://elearning.ufl.edu/, PLEASE SEND YOUR GATORLINK ID TO gradstart@aa.ufl.edu.  

In collaboration with the Center for Teaching Excellence, the UF Graduate School will host the Fall 2023 New Teaching Assistant (TA) Orientation. This two-part orientation will kick off with a live session on August 18th via Zoom.  

• The live session 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).   
• The second component will take place via a Canvas course for the duration of the fall semester. New TAs will navigate through 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.  

TA Orientation is mandatory for graduate students who will be teaching assistants for the first time, beginning with the Fall 2023, Spring 2024, and Summer 2024 semesters. 

Registration 

Click the link New TA Orientation 2023

• Click the “+” on the middle right side of the page (if using web and if on a mobile device, scroll down to find the “+” sign).
• Click “add to cart” and complete steps as directed.
• Await email (to your UFL) with prompt to join Canvas Course.
  • Check your spam or junk folder, and Canvas notifications.

Questions 

If you have any questions about TA Orientation, please email ogpd@aa.ufl.edu