new old grad student seeks to avoid institutionalized boredom
August 31, 2010 11:36 AM Subscribe
Do I need to attend the UBC (University of British Columbia) grad student orientation this week?
I'm a first year grad student (after 25 years extended summer vacation) who long ago learned to be suspicious of any kind of "official" University occasion. I just get bored and usually find I can answer any queries I have by doing a little reading, asking a few questions. So seriously, am I going to regret not dedicating an entire day to welcoming speeches, info booths, meet and greets etc ...
UBC specific responses much appreciated.
I'm a first year grad student (after 25 years extended summer vacation) who long ago learned to be suspicious of any kind of "official" University occasion. I just get bored and usually find I can answer any queries I have by doing a little reading, asking a few questions. So seriously, am I going to regret not dedicating an entire day to welcoming speeches, info booths, meet and greets etc ...
UBC specific responses much appreciated.
Sorry this isn't UBC specific, but when I started grad school, most of the orientation sessions (university-wide and department) had paperwork that I needed to fill out, and it was easiest just to go to the session rather than to try to track down that paperwork some other time. There was at least one session where we were absolutely required to attend (we had to swipe IDs and everything), but that was a lab safety session and YMMV for a more generic orientation.
On preview I agree that the department orientation is a helpful thing.
posted by pemberkins at 2:54 PM on August 31, 2010
On preview I agree that the department orientation is a helpful thing.
posted by pemberkins at 2:54 PM on August 31, 2010
Which program?
When I went to UBC, the orientation did cover some things that were useful like getting your library card/id expedited and how to opt out of the mandatory student health program. Really its just a slack day, you will probably be done by 3, most likely get a free lunch out of it and probably even find your first drinking buddy.
posted by Razzle Bathbone at 3:06 PM on August 31, 2010
When I went to UBC, the orientation did cover some things that were useful like getting your library card/id expedited and how to opt out of the mandatory student health program. Really its just a slack day, you will probably be done by 3, most likely get a free lunch out of it and probably even find your first drinking buddy.
posted by Razzle Bathbone at 3:06 PM on August 31, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks for the input so far. I do have every intention of taking my departmental orientation seriously. It's just the more general stuff I'm hoping to avoid.
posted by philip-random at 3:07 PM on August 31, 2010
posted by philip-random at 3:07 PM on August 31, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by synchronia at 12:11 PM on August 31, 2010