Graduate Students

Advisors can help graduate students with transitioning to their program, acquiring analytical skills, becoming familiar with new genres of reading and writing, managing workload, operating over extended timelines, and navigating interactions with faculty.

Book a meeting with an academic development specialist

Taylor Family Digital Library, third floor

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

General inquiries and appointments:
403-220-5881
success@ucalgary.ca

Mock defences

Whether you’re gearing up for your field of study exams or preparing to defend your proposal, thesis or dissertation, a mock defence can hone your performance before the big day. Get comfortable with the defence process, learn how to deal with difficult questions, and practice giving succinct and relevant answers.

A writing tutor and an Academic Development Specialist will act as your exam committee, familiarizing themselves with your topic and preparing questions in advance so that your mock defence is as close to the real thing as possible. Spaces are limited, so book early.

Academic Support Appointments

Academic Development Specialists and Academic Strategists provide support with:

Transitioning to Grad School
Time Management
Planning and Goal Setting
Project Managing your Dissertation
Work/Life Balance
Reading Critically

Meet with a member of the Academic Support team

Academic Support Appointments for International Students

Academic support and cultural advising are available from the academic development specialist for international students. Areas of support include:

Academic Language Development
Reading Skill Development
Transitioning to the Canadian Academic Context

Writing Support

Graduate students can book two 30 minute, one-on-one appointments per week with writing tutors who are familiar with the challenges of graduate level writing, including proper formatting and citation, organization, and logic. Bring your work-in-progress for individualized feedback.

Meet with a writing tutor

Tired of writing alone? Want to develop a writing routine? Need some writing accountability?

Write alongside your peers and get feedback from experienced writing tutors at Writers Space, held regularly throughout the term. Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome.

Writers Space is available in-person or remotely through Zoom. Sensory-friendly options are also available.

At the beginning of May, the Student Success Centre arranges three days of workshops on a variety of topics relevant to graduate students. Brush up on study strategies and refine your writing and research skills before heading into the summer.

Graduate Students

Contact info

Mock defences