Caring for Yourself

Caring for yourself in your graduate program

Life as a PhD student can be the most rewarding time of your life, but it can also be one of the most challenging. While the PhD trajectory includes much solitary work, it can be especially lonely for some IDPhD students. Research has also shown that graduate students can experience challenges especially with funding and with the supervisory relationship, as well as with family relationships and other issues. Please see our Quick Start Guide for Students [PDF-169kb], Supervisors and Committees.

Dalhousie offers many other resources to help students take care of themselves. The IDPhD staff are also available to help. We can help answer any questions you have, guide you to additional resources, help manage student/supervisor problems, ensure your academic records are correct, etc.

The Faculty of Graduate Studies in particular offers multiple opportunities for students to take part in an orientation for new students; take a professional development program, graduate student space, etc.

Be sure to check out their offerings and links under the Current Students tab. 
https://www.dal.ca/faculty/gradstudies/currentstudents.html

They also offer a guide to managing supervisory issues. We strongly encourage you to review and apply that early in your time as a PhD student.
https://www.dal.ca/faculty/gradstudies/currentstudents/supervision.html

Dalhousie also has a Student Health & Wellness website with links to multiple services, some of which are specifically tailored to graduate students.  
https://www.dal.ca/campus_life/health-and-wellness.html

Finally, Dalhousie offers resources for some specific communities, as well as a multitude of other services.
https://www.dal.ca/campus_life.html