25 Building Communities of Support

The term “community of support” refers to a group of people who are brought together by common interests, values, and/or beliefs who support one another with common goals.^[1] For many graduate students, finding a community of support is key to their success – both with their research and in their personal lives. Peers in your department, or members of a shared interest group – like an ultimate frisbee team or cooking group – can provide much needed social and emotional support and can often normalize common fears and anxieties of being a graduate student (e.g., “imposter syndrome”). Here are some ways you can bring together communities of support within or outside of McMaster.

Building communities within McMaster

• Take part in or create opportunities for shared experiences with individuals in your department or lab group. This might include lunches, hiking/walking breaks, social events, and/or sports leagues.
• Join a group mindfulness or peer-to-peer discussion forum with other graduate students. Learn more by reviewing McMaster’s guide on mindfulness [https://hslmcmaster.libguides.com/c.php?g=306766&p=2045013].
• Set up a weekly writing club in your department.
• Attend regular graduate events run through the Graduate Student Association or other graduate bodies (e.g., trivia night at the Phoenix or International Student Board Game Nights). The School of Graduate Studies Student Life team puts on free social events for graduate students throughout the year, like ice skating in the winter. Keep an eye on your inbox for the mailer announcing these events; sign up and encourage a group from your lab or department to come.
• Do you have children? Consider joining the GradParents Network, joining the GradMoms Circle, and attending the Graduate Student Family Picnic.
• Participate in a Thesis Writing Bootcamp [https://gs.mcmaster.ca/thesis-boot-camp/].

Building communities outside of McMaster

• Join a social or cultural group that caters to your interests. For example, join a rock climbing gym or pottery class, volunteer with a long-term care facility, or learn a new skill like gardening or cooking
• Meet new people by actively attending free events in the Hamilton community, such as Art Crawls, Studio events, or by taking hikes or walk through the local trails. Review Tourism Hamilton’s Events Calendar [https://tourismhamilton.com/events-calendar] to learn more.