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Orientation and Welcome Events

Welcome to Virginia Tech Graduate School! We know that starting graduate school can be a challenge, so we offer a variety of events and activities to help new students connect with fellow students, faculty, staff, and local resources. Click on each event to find out more details. Events with an ** require registration.  

Events and sign-up links will be added when plans are confirmed.

GTA Workshop** - August 19

International Graduate Student Orientation** August 20

Graduate Orientation* - August 22

Lunch with the Dean** (Please only sign-up for one lunch)                                                          

What Have I Gotten Myself Into?**   

*Registration Requested

**Registration Required

 

The following workshops are sponsored by University Libraries. Registration is required for all of the sessions and will be held via Zoom.  More information, registration links, and recordings of all sessions can be found here, or use the links below to register for individual sessions.

Finding Resources for Literature Reviews in the Social and Behavioral Sciences

AI Tools For Researchers & Publishing Tips  

Introduction to Research Data Management  

Getting Started with Zotero  

Tips & Tricks for Literature Reviews in Engineering  

Getting Started with Mendeley  

Reviews and Database Searching for Animal and Life Sciences  

Getting Started with EndNote

Introduction to LaTeX with Overleaf  

Getting the Most Out of Your Citation Manager  

What You Need to Know: Academic Publishing & Online Profiles  

Advanced LaTeX for ETDs and More  

 

 

GLC Cafe (Every Thursday and 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month)

Tour of the Lyric Theatre *   

Grocery Bingo *   

 

*Registration Requested

New students are encouraged to attend the sessions below to learn about life as a graduate student! Please click each title to learn more about what will be coverd and to register. After each session, the video recording and slides will be uploaded here.

Getting Started as a Student - Wednesday, June 4


Get a head start on the fall semester and learn many of the key components to help you get started as a graduate student at Virginia Tech. At this session we will discuss how to register for classes, how to find and pay your tuition bill, the assistantship funding timeline and graduate comprehensive fee payment plan.

I Have an Assistantship. Now What? - Friday, June 13

If you are an incoming on a graduate assistantship, you may be wondering what steps you need to take next. At this session you will learn more about your contract, what benefits are included with your assistantship and what questions you need to ask your supervisor.

Graduate Student Life. How to Find Community - Monday, June 23


Hear from current graduate students about what organizations and clubs they have gotten involved with and how they found their community at Virginia Tech.

Living in Blacksburg and the New River Valley - Thursday, July 10

Discover what living in Blacksburg and the New River Valley is like! We will discuss housing, transportation, shopping, entertainment, living on a budget, and more!

Managing Expectations in a Research Program - Monday, July 14

Graduate School Dean Dr. Aimee Surprenant will help you learn how to establish expectations and manage the relationship with your advisor. This session is intended for research students, both master's degree and Ph.D.