Graduate students can get coaching and support to help them navigate the pressures of writing theses, keeping up with coursework and maintaining deadlines.
Ray Mitchell, a counselor for Student Health and Counseling, has teamed with Chris Ramirez, president of GPSA, to start a coaching workshop to help students get the help they need to complete their degrees.
"We're not really taught how to handle the complexities that have to do with graduate school and the kinds of long-term commitments like dissertations," Mitchell said. "This is a much longer-term process."
Mitchell said it costs $50 to join the group, which will meet in 10 coaching sessions throughout the semester. Once group members sign up, they will work together to decide when and how soon they will begin meeting.
Ramirez said students struggle to finish their thesis or dissertation because it's an individual endeavor. He said many might benefit from the team environment the group will provide.
"The idea to connect graduate and professional students with the coaching groups helps students to not only connect students to one another and not feel alone, but also build in group accountability to individual deadlines for research and writing," Ramirez said.
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Mitchell, who will lead and coach the group, said it will help students focus on what they want to accomplish and create a personalized plan.
Students will learn tools and strategies to help address issues such as procrastination, time management, and balancing everyday things like work and family, he said.
"These principles can be applied to any goal you'd like to reach in your life," Mitchell said.
Student Paul Edmunds balances school, work and a family and said he will likely enroll in the program.
"I think it will be beneficial for me because I'd like to learn time management, how to manage my days so that I can accomplish what I want to do, but I don't feel too stressed out or too rushed," Edmunds said. "So, I can set realistic goals for myself and for all the other aspects like family and working on my dissertation."
Mitchell said coaching in a group setting motivates students because they're all in the same boat.
"For this kind of coaching, the biggest advantage is support of the group," he said. "You have not only support, but accountability to the group and to the coach to get a small amount of things done toward that goal."
Mitchell said structure, support and feedback are essential during the graduate process because they encourage students to stay motivated and accomplish their objectives.
"A person is overwhelmed with all the research, all the dreariness of it. Sometimes it starts out as something extremely interesting, but after a year or two, it can get worn out and stale, and it's hard to keep motivated," he said.
Student Hector Contreras has been working with Mitchell and is considering joining the group. He said he has learned a lot from Mitchell and thinks the group will help him complete his dissertation.
"There will be no perfect time to work on a dissertation," Contreras said. "This is a process; I need to work with who I am and what I have."
Mitchell said it is also important for students to keep in mind that time for humor and fun are essential for healthy balance.
"Grad students may lose sight of what it's all about - to find enjoyment in the process," he said.
Informational meeting on graduate coaching
Today, 3-4:30 p.m.
SUB Sandia Room
