Graduate Student Orientation

Graduate student orientation is available both through an online canvas course and an in-person with event on the lead up to and during Welcome Week.

Save the Date: Friday, September 1, 2023

SFU Grad School Essentials: Connecting to Your Campus Community

Join us and our SFU partners in person to learn how to take advantage of the resources available to you as a grad student at SFU. Listen to panelists sharing their own grad school journeys, talk about the supervisory experience, share insights into research and more!

Keep an eye out for the email encouraging you to RSVP your spot. We can't wait for you to join us!

Check out the schedule for SFU Grad School Essentials day!

We invite incoming students to use the Canvas platform to meet new students across all our academic disciplines, to build a base of support as they enter grad school, and to connect with our service units that will support them throughout their graduate career ahead of the in-person events during Welcome Week.

Some main features found within the Canvas platform are:

  • Welcome messages from key community members
  • Various information on a range of topics, hosted by different groups across SFU, including:  funding, career services, health and counselling, research, writing, teaching and learning, as well as Indigenous and International student support and services 
  • Review materials in your own time and return to them throughout your time in grad school
  • A wide range of service providers to support academics, professional development, well-being, and transition into the SFU community
  • Pages for different graduate programs with links and resources, contact information, and other tools to help you get started

Go to the Orientation Canvas

Register in the Online Orientation course today!

If you are starting your studies in Fall 2023 you'll access it using your SFU computing ID.

Questions about orientation? 

Contact Charity Slobod at gpsprod@sfu.ca

Coordinator, Professional Development & Student Experience

SFU Grad School Essentials: Connecting to your campus community
schedule of Events

8:00 – 9:15 am Registration and Refreshments - Blusson Hall 10901
9:30 – 10:00 am Opening Address   
 
  • Elder blessing to start the day
  • Provost and Vice-President (Academic), Dilson Rassier's welcome
  • Welcome from vice-provost and dean, Mary O'Brien
  • Greeting from Pro-D & Students Experience Coordinator, Charity Slobod
10:15 – 11:15 am Session Topics (choose one)
What is Research Anyway? Entrepreneurial Mindset and Support @SFU GSS & Creating Community in Grad School Introducing "Your Career Compass" - Chart Your Own Course to Your Future Awards & Funding  TA-ing Information Student-Supervisor Relationships Professional Boundaries and Respectful Learning / Workplace Environments RBC's 
Saving For Your Future
Starting off on the "Write" Path
11:30 am – 12:30 pm Session Topics (choose one)
What is Research Anyway? Entrepreneurial Mindset GSS & Creating Community in Grad School Introducing "Your Career Compass" - Chart Your Own Course to Your Future Awards & Funding  TA-ing Information Student-Supervisor Relationships Professional Boundaries and Respectful Learning / Workplace Environments RBC's Saving for the Future Starting off on the "Write" Path
12:30 – 1:45 pm Lunch
  Includes: Questions Corner to speak in person with some presenters
1:45 – 2:45 pm Session Topics (choose one)
Panel: Indigenous Graduate Students Panel: International Graduate Students Alumni - “SFU Future” Mindfulness/
Wellness
Campus Tours (hosted by GSS)
3:00 – 5:00 pm GSS Social

We thank the following sponsors for their suppor of our graduate student community