Grad Student Support Group

[SNPCracklePop]

Hi all! I've been thinking about organizing a support group for my department in an effort to boost morale, build camaraderie and vent amongst peers. Has anyone here does this or been a part of one? Did/would this help? Thanks everyone!

[booksnlooks]

I think this is a great idea! A friend of mine recently finished his PhD and that was his big advice: meet up with your classmates at least once a week to grab a drink, hang out, and chat. He said it made all the difference because it made for a friendly atmosphere in the department and also people were able to help each other through the tough times.

[Dal PhDer]

I think this is a great idea! it's really important to have a source of support during your degree that you can rant with, bounce ideas off of, and wallow together! You might want to organize a biweekly drink/dinner out! That's what we use to do!

[sociologo]

A lot of departments have some sort of graduate student association - either for the department or the graduate college itself. You could maybe coordinate going out with your department friends with an event being hosted by a larger organization - a mixer or something. Great idea in general though.

[canteaus]

I think this is a great idea!

However, this support group will only work if everyone is willing to not be "too-cool" during heavy assignment times.

Those who are trying to remain calm might freak-out after seeing some peers who are already done their assignments...etc etc

Edited May 29, 2012 by canteaus

[Eigen]

I find less formal settings help. We don't have anything so official as a support group, but I really push "department happy hours" every other week, especially during the summer. We also have a department city-league softball and kickball team, which provides a fairly regular chance to get out and spend some time with other grad students away from the lab.

On a larger level, I'd suggest seeing about doing something through your school's graduate student association, if you have one. It can be really nice to meet people outside of your cohort that are going through similar stresses. Ours hosts at last 3 major events a year, and I try pretty regularly to do semi-regular events as well- I do a biweekly colloquium series for and by grad students, we do monthly trivia nights, etc.

[Cici Beanz]

I think this would be a great idea, and I am really hoping that my program either has something official in place or that my classmates are amenable to some informal chill out sessions...

[SNPCracklePop]

Thanks for the input everyone! I love the departmental "Happy Hour" or maybe just a coffee break idea. Thanks again!