Orientation

Source: https://gradadvance.graduateschool.ufl.edu/programs/orientation/ Parent: https://gradadvance.graduateschool.ufl.edu/

• Upcoming Events
• Individual Consultations
• Workshop Series
• Focus on Mentoring
• Preparing Future Faculty
• Job Search Series
• Career Exploration
• Mentor Training
• GatorLead
• Three Minute Thesis (3MT)
• Orientation
• Graduate Pathways to Success (GPS)
• Career Advancement - Masters Students
• Internship Initiative
• Core Curriculum

The Graduate School offers two orientation sessions to support your transition: one for all new graduate students, GradStart, and another specifically for those serving as teaching assistants (TAs). For both GradStart and New TA Orientation offerings, it is important to note that programs and departments may offer and require attendance at additional orientation offerings. Please register for the sessions that apply to you.

See below for important details respective to our Pre-Arrival, GradStart, and TA Orientation offerings. Additionally, the University of Florida International Center (UFIC) has created a series of pre-arrival videos for new international students.

Pre-Arrival Series

Participate in our virtual Pre-arrival offerings to become familiar with campus resources and strategies you can use to prepare for your relocation to Gainesville, FL, and your graduate journey.  All sessions are recorded and will be published below and in the GradStart course, available beginning on August 5th.

GradStart Orientation

GradStart is the Graduate School's home for orientation resources for all incoming graduate students. GradStart is a Canvas-based orientation program. It provides asynchronous modules that introduce academic expectations at UF. GradStart materials and the event schedule are both accessible through eLearning, and all graduate students are invited to begin navigating the course before their first semester.  Most live sessions will be recorded and posted in the GradStart Canvas course.

• Master's and Doctoral students who have been admitted will be automatically enrolled in the GradStart Spring 2026 canvas course in mid-December 2025.

Note: Participation in GradStart, including engagement with its content and attendance at live sessions, is strongly encouraged. GradStart is designed to help new graduate students connect with essential campus resources and support networks. Please note that it does not replace program-level orientations, which will be held separately by individual departments.

Questions? Email grad-success@ufl.edu

New Teaching Assistant Orientation

In collaboration with the Center for Teaching Excellence, the UF Graduate School will host the Fall 2025 New Teaching Assistant (TA) Orientation. New TA Orientation is offered in two parts and is mandatory for graduate students who will be first time teaching assistants beginning in the Fall 2025, Spring 2026, or Summer 2026 semesters. \

• Part one will feature a welcome and overview of the TA role, a keynote speaker, opportunities to learn from experienced TAs and Faculty while engaging with the panel of experts, and pertinent information from Graduate Assistants United (GAU). Part one will be held synchronously via Zoom. (Note: You can register directly for the Zoom session here or follow the link on the Canvas homepage.)
• Part two will be held through a Canvas course for the duration of the Fall semester. New TAs will navigate modules in Canvas/E-Learning to learn about regulations and policies such as student records, classroom management, disability and academic accommodations, best practices, and resources for new TAs.

Registration is now open! Register here!

If you have any questions about TA Orientation, please email grad-success@ufl.edu