Graduate Writing Group
A writing space for grad students
Are you a graduate student determined to write and defend your dissertation before your funding package expires?
Do you find it difficult to maintain a consistent writing schedule? Would you like to commit to writing regularly?
Join a community of peers who share your experience and can help keep you accountable.
Contents
How it works
Groups of ten graduate students, with the support of a Learning Strategist and graduate mentor, provide a small, informal and encouraging atmosphere for you to focus on your work and discuss your writing goals.
Schedule — Fall/Winter 2018-19
There is limited space available in the groups and your peers need you to be there for accountability and support, so register only for groups (MAXIMUM 3) you can commit to attending each week. The following groups are still accepting registration:
Monday:
10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Ivey Library (New College Library), 20 Wilcocks Street, Downstairs Workroom
1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Isabel Bader Theatre, 3rd Floor
Tuesday:
10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Student Success Centre, 214 College Street, Room 150, Meeting Room 5
1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room 6-287
5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Indigenous Writing Group, First Nations House, 563 Spadina Avenue, 3rd Floor Lounge
Wednesday:
10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. First Nations House, 563 Spadina Avenue, Seminar Room
1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Jackman Humanities Building, 262 Bloor Street West, Room 213
Thursday:
10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Student Success Centre, 214 College Street, Room 150B
1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Student Success Centre, 214 College Street, Room 150B
5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. OISE, 252 Bloor Street West, Room 6-287
Friday:
10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Student Success Centre, 214 College Street, Room 150B
Saturday:
10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Grad Room, 66 Harbord Street, Lower Level
Sunday:
1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Grad Room, 66 Harbord Street, Lower Level
Registration
To register, contact Grad Writing Group, Academic Success at gwg@utoronto.ca.
Grad Mentor Bio
Paula Karger
PhD Candidate, Comparative Literature
Favorite writing quote: "It's hard to beat someone who never gives up." – Babe Ruth
Favorite non-writing activity: Running or walking on outdoor trails
Day & time of my group: Mondays 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Wednesdays 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Grad Mentor Bio
Karima Kinlock
PhD Candidate, Curriculum, Teaching & Learning
Favorite writing quote: "There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." - Maya Angelou
Favorite non-writing activity: Listening to live jazz bands and blues music
Day & time of my group: Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Fridays 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Grad Mentor Bio
Cristina D’Amico
PhD Candidate, Department of English
Favorite writing quote: "Write. Find a way to keep alive and write. There is nothing else to say." - James Baldwin
Favorite non-writing activity: Browsing the bookstore
Day & time of my group: Thursdays 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Grad Mentor Bio
Maria Dasios
PhD Candidate, Department for the Study of Religion
Favorite writing quote: "I’ve had the same editor since 1967. Many times he has said to me over the years or asked me, Why would you use a semicolon instead of a colon? And many times over the years I have said to him things like: I will never speak to you again. Forever. Goodbye. That is it. Thank you very much. And I leave. Then I read the piece and I think of his suggestions. I send him a telegram that says, OK, so you’re right. So what? Don’t ever mention this to me again.” - Maya Angelou
Favorite non-writing activity: Reading (in print or digitally, silently or aloud, alone or with others, & especially with my kids); outings of all kinds (parks, museums, libraries & coffee shops on rotation)
Day & time of my group: Tuesdays 1:30 p.m.to 4:00 p.m. and Saturdays 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Grad Mentor Bio
Lisa Smart
MEd Candidate, Curriculum Studies & Teacher Development/Educational Policy
Favorite writing quote: “You write in order to change the world...if you alter, even by a millimeter, the way people look at reality, then you can change it." - James Baldwin
Favorite non-writing activity: Listening to music and making playlists
Day & time of my group: Wednesdays 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Sundays 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Grad Mentor Bio
Miya Djuric
MA Candidate, Curriculum, Teaching and Learning
Favorite writing quote: "Protect the time and space in which you write. Keep everybody away from it, even the people who are most important to you." - Zadie Smith
Favorite non-writing activity: Puttering in my garden
Day & time of my group: Mondays 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Grad Mentor Bio
Keshna Sood
PhD Candidate, Molecular Genetics Department, Faculty of Medicine
Favorite writing quote: "It's not the writing part that's hard. What's hard is sitting down to write. What keeps us from sitting down is Resistance." - Steven Pressfield
Favorite non-writing activity: Yoga
Day & time of my group: Thursdays 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Grad Mentor Bio
Jen Marshall
PhD Candidate, Pharmaceutical Sciences (Collaborative Bioethics)
Favorite writing quote: "Writing is a small door. Sometimes fantasies, like big pieces of furniture, won't come through." - Susan Sontag
Favorite non-writing activity: Biking, skating, birds, ukelele
Day & time of my group: Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
