Developed by the Graduate School, GEAR 1 (Graduate Education Resources for the First Year) is a collection of online modules that helps students navigate their first year of graduate education.
Acknowledgment of University Land
First Steps Checklist
Activate Your Internet ID and Email Address
- Claim Account page
- mail.umn.edu
- Return to your graduate school application
- Learn more about Information Technology (IT) resources at the University
- How to use Gmail
- Get to know Duo, the University's added layer of security to protect your information online
IT Helplines
- UMD: [email protected]
- UMR: [email protected]
- UMTC: [email protected]
Access MyU
Explore One Stop
Get to Know International Student Services
- UMD International Student Services (ISS)
- For Duluth students: International Student Online Orientation (mandatory for all incoming UMD international students)
- UMTC International Student Scholar Services (ISSS)
- For Twin Cities students: International Student Preparatory Course (mandatory for all incoming UMN international students)
- UMTC International Student Early Arrival Housing
- Immigration Response Team (DACA Frequently Asked Questions)
Confirm Your Health Insurance Coverage
- Health Coverage Declaration to Waive Benefits
- Office of Student Health Benefits
- UMD Health Services
- UMR Health and Wellness
- UMTC Boynton Health Services
Learn How to Register for Courses
- One Stop Academics page
- MyU
- Schedule Builder
- What if there is a hold on my account?
- How do I remove a registration hold?
- What is a transcript hold?
- Search for course materials at University Bookstores
- Search UMD Stores
Plan to Get a U Card
University of Minnesota Campuses
University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD)
University of Minnesota Rochester (UMR)
University of Minnesota Twin Cities (UMTC)
University Structure and Roles
University Governance
- Governance organizational chart
- University Board of Regents
- Office of the President
- Office of the Excecutive Vice President and Provost
- University Senate Governance
- UMD Shared Governance
Important University Policies and Procedures
Campus Diversity
UMD Office of Diversity & Inclusion
Graduate School Diversity Office
UMTC Office for Equity and Diversity (OED), which includes:
- Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
- Circle of Indigenous Nations
- The Women's Center
- Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life
- Disability Resource Center
- Office for Conflict Resolution
More University resources
- Read the University President's Equal Opportunity Statement
- Improving Campus Climate
- Bias Response Referral Network
- Student Organizations & Resources
- Community of Scholars Program
Preventing and Reporting Sexual Misconduct
- Explore the Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training Guide
- UMD It Ends Here campaign
- UMTC It Ends Here campaign
- The Aurora Center for Advocacy & Education
- Sexual Misconduct Prevention Tips
- Board of Regents Policy on Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Stalking, and Relationship Violence
- Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action and Title IX Office
- Improving Campus Climate
Campus Accessibility
- UMD Disability Resources
- UMR Disability Resources
- UMTC Disability Resource Center
- University Paratransit Service (curb-to-curb service, free of charge for students on the Twin Cities campus)
- Accessible U
- Physical Access Resources
- Computer Accommodations Program (CAP)
- Improving Campus Climate
Your New Commute
Public Transit
UMD
UMR
UMTC
- Parking & Transportation Services
- Campus Connector/Circulator maps and schedules
- Download the Gopher Trip app
- Universal Transit Pass
- Paratransit Services
- Twin Cities Metro Transit website
- Download the Metro Transit app
Walking
UMD
UMTC
- Explore the Gopher Way map
- Explore the Campus Walking Guide
- Add Safe Walk number in your phone (612-624-WALK)
- Gopher Chauffeur ride service
Biking
Biking in Duluth
Biking in the Twin Cities
- Explore the UMN Parking & Transportation Services Biking page
- UMTC Campus Bike Center
- Twin Cities Metro Bike Trails Guide
- Explore the Midtown Minneapolis Greenway
Ride Sharing, Car Sharing, and Parking
UMD
UMR
UMTC
- Campus parking information
- Campus parking maps
- Download the Minneapolis Parking app
- Gopher Ride Share
- HOURCAR
Driving in Minnesota
Your New Home
On-Campus Living
Off-Campus Living
- Graduate housing options
- Find accessible housing in Minnesota (NOTE: this is not a University-affiliated link)
- Off-campus housing: Thing to Consider
- Renters' Rights: Explore Student Legal Service
UMD
UMTC
Minnesota Weather
Get to Know Minnesota Culture
History and Demographics
- Explore Minnesota's demographics
- Global Twin Cities: Minneapolis-St. Paul's ethnic directory, calendar & newswire
- Minnesota Historical Society
- Learn about the state with the Explore Minnesota website
- Atlas Obscura Guide to Minneapolis
- Atlas Obscura Guide to St. Paul
- Sports in Minnesota
Duluth
Art, Music, and Food
Tuition, Fees, and Cost of Attendance
Financial Aid and Budgeting Links
How Do I Keep Track of My Financial Aid?
Funding Affects Loan Eligibility
Budgeting
Fellowships and Other Funding Resources
Graduate Assistant Resources
Teaching Assistants (TAs)
- Resources for online instruction and distance learning
- Center for Education Innovation (CEI) teaching resources
- Center for Education Innovation (CEI) workshops and events
- For international students: explore the Spoken English Test for Teaching Assistants (SETTA)
Research Assistants (RAs)
How Do I Find a Graduate Assistantship?
Graduate Assistant Payment and Taxes
- Graduate Assistant tuition benefits
- I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification
- University Policy Library: Graduate Assistant Payroll and Taxes
Graduate Assistant Policies and Best Practices
- Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
- Promoting academic integrity in your course
- Disability Resource Center (DRC) Information for Faculty & Instructors
Graduate Assistant Work Rules
Health Benefit Plans
Advising Resources
- Graduate School Advising Resources
- Explore Resources from the Graduate & Professional Student Advising Initiative
- Explore Graduate Student Services and Progress (GSSP)
- Re-Thinking Mentoring: How to Build Communities of Inclusion, Support and Accountability (free registration required)
- Managing Your Advisor
- Picking a Good Mentor
Imposter Syndrome, Stress and Time Management
- What is Imposter Syndrome?
- Imposter Syndrome is Definitely a Thing
- Imposter Syndrome: How to Recognize It, Overcome It and Realize Your Acamdemic Goals (free registration required)
- What is stress? What symptoms might you notice?
- Mastering Academic Time Management (free registration required)
Writing Support
UMD Academic Writing and Learning Center
Daily Writing Support (free registration required)
Writing through Writer's Block (free registration required)
Building Community, Networking, Student Groups and Organizations
- Explore the Twin Cities University Events website
- Council of Graduate Students (COGS)
- Council of International Graduate Students (CIGS)
- Graduate School Diversity Office
- Gopherlink
- Student Organizations
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Groups
- University Senate Governance
- University News and Events
- Academic & Career Support Resources
- Community-Engaged Research
- Office for Public Engagement
On-Campus Health Resources
Health Benefit Plans for All Campuses
Office of Student Health Benefits
UMD
UMR
UMR Student Health Services - Skyway Clinic
UMTC
Mental Health Resources
UMD
UMR
UMTC
Physical Health Resources
Continuing Your Individual Development Plan (IDP)
Applying for Fellowships and Grants
- Fellowship Opportunities for Current Students
- Humanities: How to Write Grants and Win Fellowships (free registration required)
- How to Seek and Get Foundation Funding (Free registration required)
- 10 Common Grant-Writing Mistakes
Exploring Research Topics
As a graduate student, you can access free subscriptions with the following online assessment tools for academic and professional development: