On the basis of our long-standing training programs and teaching the graduate teaching assistant (GTA) training course during the pandemic, I reflect on the importance of personal wellness, community building, and collegiality in GTA training courses. By considering GTA training in terms of four important skill areas: pedagogy, technical, professional, and survival, here I focus on the survival skills. Devoting equal training importance to these skills can lead to strengthening three integral areas of academics: research, teaching, and collegiality.