University of Guelph Grad Student Support Circle (GSSC)

Student Wellness Grad Student Support Circle

About the Grad Student Support Circle (GSSC)

The GSSC is a weekly meeting of graduate students across all faculties for mutual peer support, in connection with the Student Support Network. It offers an opportunity for connection among graduate students and a safe space to talk about the joys and challenges that are unique to grad studies that can be difficult or unsatisfying to talk about with colleagues, family or friends outside of this specific academic environment.

This semester (S23) we will be offering the following circles beginning the week of June 12, 2023:

  • GSSC General Circle: Wednesdays 11:30am-12:30pm
  • LGBTQ2IA+ student circle: Thursdays 12:00-1:00pm
  • Student parent circle: Wednesdays 11:00am-12:00pm

GSSC circles are open to all graduate students, including those currently on a leave of absence.

While the GSSC is not a professional counselling service, we do offer a confidential and supportive group environment where students can talk through whatever they're experiencing as graduate students, hear perspectives from others, and discuss life in general. Circles run each semester for 10 weeks.

How to join circle:

Registration is required for participation. Students can email grad.circle@uoguelph.ca to express interest in registering or to ask any questions they may have. A short note with your name, program and the desired circle are sufficient.

*Registration is currently open for S23.

Interested in being a facilitator?

Do you value mental health in grad school? Looking to build your leadership skills, connect with folks from across different disciplines, and build community? The GSSC is looking for grad students to join our team as facilitators to run circles and provide a safe and supportive environment for participants.

We seek to have a diverse team that is representative of our student population. We welcome applications from all graduate students, including international, part-time, transfer and mature students, from all identity backgrounds. We are also hoping to represent different programs and degree completion status (e.g. masters and Ph.D., just starting/a couple of semesters in/near defending) on the full facilitator team.

If you’re interested, send us an email asking for an application to grad.circle@uoguelph.ca and don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!