In the Loop Newsletter
Oct 9, 2024
Dear Huskies,
Congratulations on completing the first two weeks of classes! The beginning of a quarter is the perfect time to set new goals and make an academic plan for the quarter and the school year. The best goals, personal, academic, or professional, are often S.M.A.R.T goals: they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely (learn more about SMART goals). As you continue to settle into the rhythm of the quarter, these goals can serve as a guide for your academic planning and a foundation for your growth.
Discussing S.M.A.R.T goals makes them smarter. For our undergraduate readers, we encourage you to set up a meeting with your academic advisor or departmental counselors to talk about your goals. It is also a good time to reach out to instructors and TAs during office hours to introduce yourself and communicate any learning needs. For our graduate student readers, we encourage you to stay connected with not only your advisors but also your cohort mates. For instance, plan to have a goal-setting session together. It is a good way to give each other feedback and keep each other accountable.
Once we have goals in mind, it’s time to make a plan. If you’re graduating within the next year, now is the ideal time to expand your network and begin your internship or job search. Early planning can also give you an edge in securing funding opportunities by helping you craft a stronger proposal. For undergrad readers, check out PathwayU, and for grad readers, an Individual Development Plan (IDP) (see free online tools like Imagine PhD or MyIDP) is a customizable planning tool designed to help you set short-term and long-term goals for academic, professional, and personal development (see an example from Northwestern University). With these tools, you can efficiently identify resources and support that are essential to your success. We encourage you to take advantage of many campus resources available to support your academic and career goals, such as the Odegaard Writing and Research Center, the eScience Institute, and the Graduate School Office of Fellowships & Awards.
Don’t forget to also leverage mentoring relationships or resources for your success. For example, throughout the school year, the Academic Support Program offers various services that aim to help you realize your potential regardless of your class year standing, especially the Academic Success Coaching program. In these coaching sessions, you will be paired with a well-trained undergraduate or graduate peer coach who can help you navigate campus resources, develop studying strategies, and most importantly, foster a sense of connection in your academic community. For all students alike, we also encourage you to seek out formal and informal mentors who can provide you with support, empathy, wisdom, and respect throughout your educational journey (learn more about mentoring at the UW Mentoring page).
Besides developing academic and professional plans, we hope you are also staying well and taking care of yourself. We know that fall in Seattle can feel a bit gloomy sometimes, but UW Rec is here to provide you with plenty of things to do both indoors and outdoors. UW Rec is a hub for athletic and leisure fun, including the IMA. This autumn quarter, UW Rec offers an exciting lineup of group fitness classes like Hip Hop and Electro Cycle and intramural sports like volleyball, flag football, pickleball. Don’t forget about the Student Recreation Fund which can help you cover the cost of a list of UW recreation offerings. Grab a friend, some gears, and explore to your heart’s content at the IMA!
Sincerely,
CIRCLE Team