Semester Check-Ins

Why We Do Check-Ins

Check-ins are designed to strengthen communication, trust, and understanding within your team. They give every student a chance to share their progress, challenges, and ideas in a private, supportive space — and help TAs recognize how to better guide and motivate each individual.

Regular 1-on-1 conversations also promote psychological safety, making it easier for students to raise concerns and for TAs to proactively address issues before they grow. Over time, this practice improves overall team productivity, collaboration, and engagement.

Value for TAs and Students

For TAs	For Students
• Understand each student’s progress and workload. • Spot challenges early (tasks, roles, or teamwork). • Build trust and openness within the team. • Use feedback to adjust mentoring and support.	• Share progress, goals, and challenges privately. • Give feedback in a supportive 1-on-1 space. • Get personalized guidance and encouragement. • Feel heard, supported, and included in the team.

For TAs

For Students

• Understand each student’s progress and workload.
• Spot challenges early (tasks, roles, or teamwork).
• Build trust and openness within the team.
• Use feedback to adjust mentoring and support.

• Share progress, goals, and challenges privately.
• Give feedback in a supportive 1-on-1 space.
• Get personalized guidance and encouragement.
• Feel heard, supported, and included in the team.

How Check-Ins Work

Every five weeks, TAs host brief 1-on-1 check-ins with each team member.

For in-person teams: hold check-ins during lab when possible.
For online teams: hold check-ins via Teams with cameras on.

Regardless of format, each student should have a dedicated conversation focused on progress, experience, and goals. TAs are encouraged to schedule additional check-ins whenever it benefits the team or helps address emerging issues.

Check-In Questions

The following are some questions to ask during check in meetings:

Section	Sample Questions
General Well-Being	• How has the semester been going for you so far? • How many credits are you taking? (to gauge workload and stress level) • How are you managing your time across courses and this project? • Has anything been particularly challenging to balance this semester?
Work & Learning Experience	• Are you happy with your work and learning so far? • What would you like to focus on or improve? • What’s something new you’ve learned or enjoyed working on this semester? • Are there any skills or topics you’d like more support with?
Team Dynamics	• How do you feel about your current subgroup or role on the team? • How is communication within your subgroup or team? • Do you feel comfortable sharing ideas or concerns during meetings? • What has been the most engaging or rewarding part of teamwork so far?
Feedback & Support	• Do you have any questions, feedback, or concerns you’d like to share with me? • Is there anything I or the mentors could do differently to support you? • How can I help make your experience in this project more positive or effective?

Section

Sample Questions

General Well-Being

• How has the semester been going for you so far?
• How many credits are you taking? (to gauge workload and stress level)
• How are you managing your time across courses and this project?
• Has anything been particularly challenging to balance this semester?

Work & Learning Experience

• Are you happy with your work and learning so far?
• What would you like to focus on or improve?
• What’s something new you’ve learned or enjoyed working on this semester?
• Are there any skills or topics you’d like more support with?

Team Dynamics

• How do you feel about your current subgroup or role on the team?
• How is communication within your subgroup or team?
• Do you feel comfortable sharing ideas or concerns during meetings?
• What has been the most engaging or rewarding part of teamwork so far?

Feedback & Support

• Do you have any questions, feedback, or concerns you’d like to share with me?
• Is there anything I or the mentors could do differently to support you?
• How can I help make your experience in this project more positive or effective?