First Year Mentoring Group Information

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The first year mentoring groups were created to support our first year students as they transition into graduate school. Within the Biomedical Sciences Program, the groups offer students with a “home base” until choosing a research mentor. The small groups are comprised of a graduate faculty member and one to two advanced graduate students. Each mentoring group will discuss a wide range of topics, including graduate school expectations, laboratory rotation selections, preparing for core course exams, and preparing for rotation practice talks. Students are encouraged to actively participate in group discussion and to feel comfortable asking questions and providing feedback. There is a schedule of weekly topics that will be provided to the group. The outline each week is prepared by an advanced student leader. Groups will meet in various conference rooms on the 3rd floor of the Harrell Medical Education Building.

The groups will meet on Thursdays from 11:00-12:00 during the fall semester. The groups may not meet during the spring semester, depending on student need and group feedback.

Fall 2019 Schedule

Date/Time/Place Topic
Thursday 15 August/ 11-12/ HME cluster Group Welcoming – Introductions/Choosing lab rotations
Thursday 22 August/ 11-12/ HME cluster Graduate School Expectations/ Professionalism/ Life as a Graduate
Thursday 29 August/ 11-12/ HME cluster Scientific & Wellness Resources
Thursday 5  September/ 11-12/ HME cluster Effective Communication with Mentor
Thursday 12  September Preparing for exams- NO MEETING
Thursday 19  September/ 11-12/ HME cluster Rotation Expectations – Write up
Thursday 26  September/ 11-11/ HME cluster First Rotation Talk Practice (students should come prepared to practice)
Thursday 3  October Preparing for exams- NO MEETING
Thursday 10  October/ 11-12/ HME cluster Fellowship Applications & Qualifying Exams
Thursday 17  October/ 11-12/ HME cluster Life After Grad School–Post Docs & Beyond
Thursday 24  October Preparing for exams- NO MEETING
Thursday 31 October/ 11-12/ HME cluster Attending Scientific Meetings
Thursday 7 November 11-12/ HME cluster Coursework Expectations & Choosing Spring Classes/ Committee Selection
Thursday 14 November Preparing for exams- NO MEETING
Thursday 21 November/ 11-12/ HME cluster Writing Chapters/Research Papers -Plagiarism
Thursday 28 November Holiday- NO MEETING
Thursday 5 December/ 11-1/ HME cluster Second Rotation Talk practice (No GMS 6001 on 12/5 to allow for exam study/presentation prep)