Graduate Orientation
At Graduate Orientation (GradO) you'll discover resources and meet the people that will help you succeed at the University of Calgary.
Registration for our 2025 Fall GradO on August 27 is now open!
GradO is your introduction to life as a UCalgary graduate student - past graduate students have found it essential for starting their programs on the right foot. Join us for a day designed to support your transition into graduate school, whether you attend in person or virtually. Take part in welcome sessions, explore helpful workshops, meet fellow graduate students and connect with the people and services here to support you.
A sensory-friendly space will be available, and in-person attendees can also enjoy a community BBQ.
Fall 2025 GradO Schedule
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Course-based students
- Registration: 8:45-9:15 a.m. MT
- Orientation Session: 9:30-10:30 a.m. MT
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Thesis-based students
- Registration: 10:15-10:45 a.m. MT
- Orientation Session: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. MT
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11 a.m. to 2 p.m. MT
- Service fair for graduate students (Breakout rooms)
- BBQ lunch in the Green Space tent (Vegetarian and non-vegetarian options available)
- Student clubs showcase in the Green Space tent. Clubs include:
- Gender & Sexuality Alliance Subcommittee (GSA^2)
- Newcomers & international Students Subcommittee (NISS)
- Mental Health & Wellness Subcommittee (MHWS)
- Computational Media Design Students' Association (CDMSA)-(VR, gaming, tech fashion)
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Navigating UCalgary Systems (MyUCalgary, Elevate, D2L)
1-1:30 p.m. MT
Get started on the right foot with this essential session introducing key UCalgary platforms and resources. Learn how to register for courses, access transcripts, submit service requests and navigate D2L—our online learning system. Explore the self-paced Start Strong D2L modules covering academic integrity, orientation, research ethics and more. Thesis-based students will also learn how to view program milestones and supervision details. Plus, get a quick tour of Elevate—your hub for career services, advising, workshops and job opportunities—designed to support your success from day one.
Presenters:
- Dr. Tara Christie Kyle, PhD, Senior Manager, Graduate Student Journey, FGS
- Dr. Charlotte Ong'ang'a, PhD, Career Development Specialist, Center for Career and Personal Development
- Christine Verwoerd, Process Specialist, FGS
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Your Mind, Your Body: A 30-Minute Guide to Graduate Student Well-Being
1:45-2:15 p.m. MT
This session provides an overview of the GSA Health and Dental Plan, along with a wide range of services and supports to help you maintain your health and well-being throughout your graduate journey. We will highlight key campus resources, including Student Wellness Services, Student Accessibility Services, the Faith and Spirituality Centre and the Women’s Resource Centre. We will also introduce programs and events hosted by the GSA and other campus partners to help you stay balanced, connected and supported.
Presenters:
- Laura Alongi: Health Promotion Coordinator, Campus Wellbeing Services
- Nanako Furuyama: Manager, Peer Support & Outreach, Student Wellness Services
- Isabel Martins: Student Services Administrator, GSA
- Irene Yoo: Wellness Coordinator, Graduate Student Association
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Life as a Graduate Student: Personal Reflections
2:30-3 p.m. MT
Graduate school is a journey filled with growth, challenge, and transformation—academically, professionally and personally. In this reflective session, current and recent graduate students will share their lived experiences navigating the ups and downs of graduate life at UCalgary. From building community and managing time, to overcoming imposter syndrome and finding purpose in their research, each speaker will offer candid insights and lessons learned. Whether you're just starting out or looking to connect with peers on a deeper level, this session aims to inspire, validate and support you in your own graduate journey.
Host: Dr. Tanille Buttler, PhD, Graduate Educational Development Specialist, FGS
Student Panel:
- Landon Buckley, Master's in Arts student, English
- Renata Pinho, PhD student, Veterinary Medical Sciences
- Mumnoon Zawer, Master’s in Engineering student, Electrical and Computer
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Your Support Squad: Where Grad Success Begins
3:15-3:45 p.m. MT
This collaborative session, hosted by key resource folks from the UCalgary Library and from the Student Success Centre, introduces new graduate students to supports for academic success, including research strategies, writing development and scholarly communication. We’ll also explore the rise of generative AI technologies and your responsibilities around ethical use as a graduate student. Participants will learn about library resources, writing resources and academic skills development supports. This interactive session will help you feel empowered to navigate your graduate program with confidence and integrity.
Presenters:
- Garrett Beatty, Specialist, Academic Integrity, Student Success Center
- Merran Carr-Wiggin, Assistant Librarian Learning, Taylor Family Digital Library
- Kathleen James, Student Success Librarian, Taylor Family Digital Library
Unwind, celebrate and connect with your new graduate community in the LDL!
Campus map
Fall 2025 GradO is located in the MacEwan Student Centre.
Graduate onboarding modules
The START STRONG series is a collection of four D2L modules designed to help acclimate new graduate students to UCalgary culture, including policies, procedures, key supports and resources available. All incoming graduate students are automatically enrolled in these modules. If you have any questions on graduate programming, please email the Graduate Experience Team.
Module topics
Fall 2025 GradO livestream
Livestream to be available closer to GradO (August 27, 2025).