Orientation

New Graduate Student Orientation

Sponsored by the Office of Graduate Studies for all new students, Orientation brings together faculty, staff, and current students who will share information and advice to ease your transition and enrich your graduate experience at USF. Please make every effort to attend. A flexible schedule is designed to share important information across several topics.  

Welcome to USF written on an image
Registration Information:

All newly admitted graduate students receive an email from the Office of Graduate Studies with information about registering for Graduate Student Orientation. A detailed schedule and link(s) will be subsequently emailed to you upon successful registration.

Please note that these virtual orientation sessions will be produced through Microsoft Teams, so you will be required to utilize your University of South Florida email address to access the sessions. Click here for further instruction on creating your USF NetID and email account.

Spring 2025 Orientation Schedule*

Log into the opening session by 2:50 P.M. (EST) to enjoy Student Welcome videos!

***Please do not click the session links until 5 minutes before the time each occurs***

  • Opening Session

    3:00 P.M. (EST)

    Thank you for attending. Video Available Here.

  • Library Resources for Graduate Students

    3:30 P.M. (EST)

    Thank you for attending. Video Available Here.

  • Understanding Health and Wellness Services

    4:00 P.M. (EST)

    Thank you for attending. Video Available Here.

  • Understanding Financial Aid

    4:30 P.M. (EST)

    Thank you for attending. Video Available Here.

  • BREAK

    5:00 P.M. (EST)

    Return at 5:10 P.M. (EST)

  • Breakout Sessions (Select One)

    5:10 P.M. (EST)

    Thriving in Graduate School: Strategies for Success from Day One
    Thank you for attending. Video Available Here.


    Thriving as an International Student
    Thank you for attending. Video Available Here.

    Building Resilience in Graduate School
    Thank you for attending. Video Available Here.

    🔎 Read Session Descriptions

  • Closing & Final Q&A

    6:00 P.M. (EST)

    Thank you for attending. Video Available Here.


  • Session recordings will be uploaded to the Orientation Videos webpage during the first two weeks of the semester.

    *Sessions are subject to change.

    Breakout Session Descriptions

    Thriving in Graduate School: Strategies for Success from Day One
    This session provides master’s and doctoral students with tools to align academic work with long-term goals, develop advanced research and writing skills, maintain wellness, and leverage key resources. Through practical tips and activities, participants will gain strategies to excel and make meaningful contributions in their field.

    Thriving as an International Student
    This session aims to provide our international graduate students with tips and techniques on how they can be successful at USF, adjust to the academic demands, and manage the cultural adjustment process.
     
    Building Resilience for Graduate School 
    "In an ever-changing world, we are faced with challenges that may test our resolve and ability to stay resilient in the face of these challenges and changes. As a graduate student, you will be balancing a wide variety of responsibilities and expectations, which can come with its own unique set of situations to navigate successfully. In this session, you will learn about the link between wellness and academic success. You will become familiar with strategies and tools to support your well-being and promote self-care. You will also be provided with services and resources available at USF to assist you in your academic and personal success."


    ORIENTED: AN OVERVIEW OF THE GRADUATE STUDENT JOURNEY

    The Office of Graduate Studies is pleased to provide students with ORIENTED, a tool to orient students to various aspects of the Graduate Student experience.

    Campus Tours

    Interested in seeing more of campus? The Office of Admissions offers in-person, self-guided, and virtual tours of all three campuses! Click here for details.

    For immediate 360 virtual tours, click here.