Projects...Papers...Finals..
When will it all end? Just wanted to wish everyone the best with their last assignments as we close out the semester. For those who are graduating, congrats! To everyone else, enjoy the break and much needed rest.

Happy Thanksgiving!

It is much needed break after continuous class, assignments, & projects. I know how much everyone is looking forward to it. Have a great time on this Thanksgiving & don't think about work while you are relishing your turkey. Such type of break indeed helps to avoid any burnt-out in grad school , & it is great idea to take mind off from study, research for a while. Have a great time!

On the horizon...

During the Spring semester the Graduate Life Fellows along with the Graduate School plan to host several opportunities to connect with fellow graduate students across disciplines. Let us know if you have any suggestions for programs you'd like to see happen. Be on the look out for events occurring during Graduate Education Week, March 21-27! For more information, contact any one of your GLFs as well as the Graduate School.

Step-by-step approach key to big research!

As a graduate student, I notice how important it is to have a balanced research goal. It used to be the case when I approach a research problem, I try to solve it in its entirety, & then get bogged down with its enormity & waste a lot of time. Now I have learnt that it is important to dissect one big problem into smaller ones, and do step by step. The target should always be decent and acheivable. Gradually, these small successes will contribute it to make a big one & complete the mosaic. Also, it is more convenient to publish results in conference step-wise whenever you have a result. It also helps to get the feedback and improve on anything. Finally, the gradual step entitles you more understanding of the big problem, and according you will target it.

Look for more ways to volunteer this spring semester!

As you plan your classes for Spring semester keep some time open to volunteer with the Graduate School and Graduate Life Fellows. While we are planning many social and professional events, we always make time to give back to the community. 

We are planning another visit to Second Harvest Food Bank. Last time we got our fill of sweet potatoes! It is amazing how many people we can help in one Saturday!

 

Not only is it a great way to boost your resume and good karma, you can also meet other graduate students and make connections. 

So plan to join us next semester! We look forward to seeing everyone out there giving back!

The holiday season is approaching....which means: limited time to finish projects, papers, and prepare for final exams. Sometimes I fall victim to the procrastination bug. Or, right around this time I begin to feel like I am running out of steam. Either way, I'm looking forward to the breaks coming up for some much neede rest and relaxation. How are you managing your time and commitments?

Teaching an undergraduate recitation class!

I have been teaching this recitation class for juniors in ECE Dept. this semester which has been quite an expereince so far. Going to teach in front of a class of about 75 students was intimidating at first, but soon I found that I can teach if I am well prepared for it. In fact, I came to discover that you are as good as you are prepared. An advance preparation of subject matter, an interest in what students want & listening to them and giving them recognition make it easier to handle a class. But I have made my part of mistakes too. Sometimes, things didn't go exactly the way I wanted, & then I told something wrong. The reason, I realized, was still a bit of slack in my part of prepation. I assumed certain things certain way from my old-faded memory without checking it. Good news is that I realize I can teach a class, but the bad news is that it takes so much of my time to get ready for it that I hardly have time for my research. I can only hope that it gets better in balancing both the teaching and research in future. Two things I would like to note here, from my expereince so far, are 1.) You don't understand the material unless you teach 2.) It gives immense satisfaction to answer students' questions.

Any expereince or observation you have to share?

Habitat Fun!

Thank you to everyone that came out to support Habitat for Humanity on the 31st! We had a blast. There were over 12 people there from the Graduate School along with many others from other organizations. Thank you to all of our GPSG participants!

We helped work on two different houses. As you can see some people were painting or putting together a shed in the back yard while some were just goofing around! Really, everyone worked hard and felt good afterward. Now I know how to hang siding!! Never know when that skill may come in handy.
Please check back frequently for future volunteer opportunities. 

H1N1 Flu shot on campus!

The H1N1 flu shot is being offered free for all campus community in SAC today & tomorrow on first come first service untill they ran out of it. It is great idea for graduate students to have it especially for those who are working as TAs & graders and come into contact with a lot of people, or objects. I had my shot today, & I went for the nasal one. The wait time was so short that I was surprised. When you go, you need to bring your student id with you. I highly recommend for everyone! Remember the old adage " The prevention is better than the cure."

Habitat For Humanity

Want a great way to meet other graduate students

and help out your community?

Come with us this Saturday. I am sure you have great plans for the evening of Halloween, but what about using the morning to give back? We will be helping Campus Ministries work on two Habitat houses. They are both on the same  block close by here in Charlotte.

Wear your UNCC or Graduate School gear and show your Niner pride. Both houses are close to completeion so work will take place rain or shine! What a great way to have a great time and leaving feeling great about yourself! If you would like to join the growing list of participants for this event please email me @ lahildre@uncc.edu You can also leave a message here on the blog and I will get back to you.

Can't wait to see eveyone on Saturday!

-Allison

Thanks to everyone who came out to play some dodge ball!

Registration open for next semester!

Can't believe the semester has gone so fast that it is already time to register for courses next semester. In my view, it is good idea to start looking at the courses one would be interested, and discuss early with your advisor. So much it looks simple thing to do, I still remember one semester when I forgot to register for one class, and was on verge of losing my assistanship. Some dept. even has an advising form to be completed. And I have seen people not getting the course they want because it is already full! So it is indeed good idea to get started!

It was a blast!

Many thanks to those who came out for the dodge ball event this past Saturday. Everyone had a great time. Also, thanks for the ideas for future events the GLFs could host. Hopefully we can continue to host this one, and similar events, in the future. Join us at Habitat for Humanity this coming Saturday, October 31.

registering for classes

It's that time of year again....class registration for next semester. Aaahhh. I'm trying to figure out if I should have all night classes or squeeze a daytime class in if I have the chance? With all of my other obligations...I don't want to make things harder than they need to be. At the same time, it may be more helpful to have some kind of pattern allowing me to get a rhythm going in the Spring. What works for you? When do you usually take classes?

October 31st - Graduate Life Fellows will host a volunteer opportunity with Habitat for Humanity

The addresses are 3816 and 3820 Davis Ave. Use directions below. Do not enter this address into MapQuest or even Google maps – it will give you the wrong directions. No experience is necessary. The workday starts at 7:30am, meeting at the UCF Student Center/Advent Lutheran Church in the parking lot (across from campus) and will end by 4pm. You can drive yourself to help determine your own schedule.

Directions to the house: (you can choose to meet us at the worksite)

I-85 South to I-77 South to West on Wilkinson. Turn Right on Midland. Turn Left on Davis Ave. Do not search for this address on Google maps or MapQuest as they both will provide Davis Lane for some reason in a different part of town.

Wear your UNC Charlotte/Graduate School gear and be ready to have some fun! Meet other graduate students and give back to your community. You are not required to stay the entire workday.

If interested Email lahildre@uncc.edu

Get your name on the list!

A month into the school year and already you may be feeling sluggish.

Who knows....you may even be fed up with your school work, classes, or someone. Either way, it's time to release some of that stress...in a friendly way! Join us in our DODG-E-BALL Tournament on October 24, from 3:00-6:00pm in Belk Gymnasium. Come have a ball with your fellow graduate students!

Facebook account!

We have also started an account on facebook to keep in touch with all the graduate students at UNC Charlotte. The link to the account is following:

http://www.facebook.com/UNCCGradauteStudentForum

Add us there and forward it to all others.

Thanks.

Third Thursday Caffeine Fix was a fun event!

We had a fun time at the Third Thursday Caffeine Fix last thurdsay. Grad students from all disciplines joined us for some java and jokes. It was interesting to meet students from different disciplines. Talk centered around academics, social interest, and individual backgrounds. Thanks to Ritazza for providing discounted coffee to grad students. We hope to see more people in the next GLF event!

Service Opportunity! October 10th

Calling all Graduate Students!!

Graduate Life Fellows will be taking a group of students to volunteer at the Second Harvest Food Bank Warehouse on October 10th.

We will be working in the Warehouse from 9 am-12 noon. All students are welcome, no experience needed!

This is our first community service event of the year so come meet your fellow students while giving back to the community.

If you feel this is something you would like to participate in please email one of us or leave a comment and we will get back to you.

All employers love to see a student that gives back to their community.

Event Announcement:"Third Thurday Caffeine Fix"

Please join us for the signature event! Share it with your friends, and everone is invited!

Welcome fellow bloggers!

Hi, my name is Lalit, and this academic year I am working with the Grad School as one of the Graduate Life fellows. I am in my 4th year of PhD in Electrical Engineering. My interests are networking, cross-cultural exchange, and entreprenuership. I am looking forward to meeting fellow grad students and sharing my ideas of graduate study. Please feel free to write me at
lpmandal@uncc.edu Thanks.

Welcome! I am Allison Barr and I am serving as a Graduate Life Fellow this year. I am working on my Masters in Reading Education. If you are interested in any of the education graduate programs (such as add on certificates, certifications, or MAT programs) please email me. lahildre@uncc.edu

If you are a graduate student in another area of study, but are interested in volunteering with Graduate Life Fellows in the Charlotte community let me know! I am open to answering all questions about graduate school here at UNC Charlotte from a student prospective.

I enjoyed meeting some of the incoming students last Saturday at orientation. If you saw something there you would like more information about just send us an email and we can help get that for you. We were excited to see so many people turn out!

Thanks!
Allison

Hi Incoming and Existing UNC Charlotte Graduate Students

Just wanted to drop a note and say, "Hi!" to all of the UNC Charlotte Graduate Students. I am a Graduate Life Fellow and look forward to helping you along your graduate school journey! Please feel free to contact me, or any other fellow.