GradChats is a weekly drop-in group created by and for graduate students, brought you by the Student Wellness Centre.

This weekly drop-in is a space for graduate students specifically – from any program, faculty, or stage in degree – to come together and talk about topics related to the grad experience. Come to one session, or come to them all!

A graduate student from the SWC’s Graduate Wellness Team will be co-facilitating the drop-in each week, alongside Sheila Ortlieb from the counseling team. This is not a formal therapy group, rather it is a space for graduate students to connect across shared experiences of a general theme each week, with the help of skilled facilitators. Students who join will be able to walk away with new ideas on how to understand and deal with the theme of the week.

Schedule of themes:

• September 14 – Adjusting to a re-opening society
• September 21 – Graduate work and mental health
• September 28 – Loneliness and social isolation
• October 5 – Coping with living situations/home environment
• October 12 – Sexism in graduate school
• October 19 – Open chat
• October 26 – Social media
• November 2 – Imposter syndrome
• November 9 – Grief
• November 16 – Procrastination/perfectionism
• November 23 – Building healthy habits
• November 30 – Open chat

Email healthpr@mcmaster.ca for the link to join the drop-in, or if you have any questions.