Welcome to a new semester (graduate students)
TL;DR: Prioritize your well-being this semester; explore opportunities to connect with others, build leadership skills, and get involved in campus activities. New developments: Concord Market and mobile ordering at Dunkin’!
Dear graduate students,
At MIT, we are here for the whole you – helping you thrive both academically and personally. As we look to a new semester, please remember to focus on self-care and consult our DoingWell site for helpful resources and support information.
Below are some exciting campus updates and opportunities for connecting with others and getting involved.
Best wishes for your spring semester,
Suzy
Vice Chancellor for Student Life
Connect with one another
The Wellbeing Lab is full of opportunities to meet others over shared interests, offering Weekends@MIT events, short yoga and movement breaks, and activities focused on healthy eating with our nutritionist.
You can pause at the Stata Student Street each Tuesday afternoon this month for refreshments and conversation with the Chaplains from the Office of Religious, Spiritual, and Ethical Life or attend a musical concert at the MIT Chapel.
If you’re a natural connector, consider becoming a Graduate Resident Advisor to further strengthen the communities in our residence halls and mentor undergraduate students.
For your own well-being, don’t forget that OGE GradSupport provides personal and academic support for all graduate students. And ISO is always available for our international students, ready to answer any question.
So much to see and do
We’re making it easier to build wellness into your routine. Free zumba classes are available on Fridays for drop-in recreation. And this might be the semester you become a wellness wizard.
Take part in Artfinity, MIT’s new upcoming arts festival, which includes performances, films, exhibitions, and opportunities to create from February to May 2025. Speaking of creating, don’t miss the Hobby Shop – one of MIT’s original makerspaces – where you can bring your ideas to life with expert guidance and state-of-the-art equipment.
Leadership opportunities abound. Check out the leadership offerings from SOLE, including an ongoing lunch and lead series. And it’s never too late to join one of our hundreds of student organizations.
Catch the action on our fields with MIT Engineers sporting events. It’s been a great year for MIT athletes: Women's Cross Country earned their first national championship, MIT swimmer and graduate student Alexandra Turvey was named NCAA Woman of the Year, and first-year volleyball player Julia Tolstova was named AVCA Freshman of the Year. Rally behind our athletes and cheer them on this spring!
All that’s good to eat
Wonderful news! The new Concord Market, a family-owned independent grocer from Concord, Mass., is opening in late February in W20. The Market will offer convenient, fresh food options from 7 a.m.–10 p.m. daily.
On the go? Several retail eateries have added lower-cost items like grab-and-go sandwiches in Bosworth’s Cafe in Lobby 7 and Global Bytes bowls in the Stata Center’s Forbes Family Cafe. 24-hour vending hubs are available in 4-115, 45-106, and 16-110. In 4-115, you’ll find a Bleni Blends smoothie maker, too! Lastly, Dunkin’ in the stud just launched its mobile advanced ordering system to make grab-and-go bites faster. Be sure to stop by Lobby 13 on Pi Day (3.14) between 11 a.m.–1 p.m. for a free pie.
Some grad students find having meal plans to be the most convenient way to fit in nutritious food. DSL is prioritizing food access, so please reach out for help if you need it. In addition, watch the housing site for opportunities to sign up for graduate residences.
More in store
As you can see, so much is happening on our vibrant campus. Check the campus events calendar regularly for additional ways to connect, engage, or take a break.