Advice from UBC Students

Magnus Chan

Ah, the classic interview question for all grad students! While I’ve heard the whole gamut of advice for incoming trainees when I started years ago, now that I’m on the tail end of completing my PhD, I think one piece of advice reigns true above...

Brittany Pousett

You cannot do it alone! It is critical to build a community that can support you throughout your journey. Also, one of the best things I have done (since my undergraduate studies) is to take one day off every week where I do not do any work. It...

AnnaMaria Zubieta

I believe balance is key to being successful during graduate studies. While you should be prepared to put in a lot of hard work, it is also important to find time for rest and relaxation. I would highly encourage new graduate students to explore...

Stephen Johnston

Work hard in school and also in life — get outside and enjoy it!

Milos Simovic

Buy a bicycle as soon as possible, assuming you don’t move here with one. Check out Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace to find a bicycle that you like and buy it. Vancouver has some of the best bicycle infrastructure in all of North America, and...

Valerie Zimmermann

My advice for new graduate students is to develop confidence in themselves to share their ideas, opinions and goals throughout their graduate studies journey.

Jay Hilsden

Get involved in your department and make sure your professors know who you are, ideally for good reasons.

Sadie Lye

There are many opportunities to hear talks from and engage with people in and outside of your discipline; make use of these opportunities because you do not know what will come out of it. Also, do not be afraid to reach out to experts, other...

Grace Melchers

For myself and many others I've talked to, grad school seems like a bit of a mystery a lot of the time, especially when you are starting out. There is no complete handbook to graduate school, and everyone experiences it differently. Make sure to...

Johanna Bock

Oh, where to start! Probably the most important one: ask for support. Be considerate of others’ time but also don’t waste your entire week on a problem that someone else in your lab solved already. Also, get into strategic planning. Even though...

Ana Mucalica

Evaluate your reasons for pursuing a graduate degree. If you believe you’re doing it for the right reasons, stay persistent — it will definitely be worth it in the end.

Ryan Yeung

While it can be easy to be sucked into your own research, try to take the time to meet others in and outside of your graduate program. UBC brings together brilliant individuals from diverse backgrounds, so there is a lot to learn from talking...

Christina Kouvousis

Take the time to check in with yourself and reflect on how you are feeling throughout your program, especially to remind yourself of why you pursued graduate studies in the first place. It helps quiet the self-doubt and provides motivation when...

Emily Yeh

A quote that is resonating through my grad journey so far is “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” I find planning is super important! Whether you are planning the day, an experiment, a meeting, a presentation, future plans/goals, etc., it's...

Connor Durfy

Follow your passions and interests through your research! While the path through graduate school may seem long, if you continue to fuel your curiosity along the way, you'll remain driven and excited along your journey.

Mitchell Demchuk

You will likely fail many times before achieving success. It is important to realize research can be extremely difficult and to stay motivated/disciplined when things are looking rough. Also, don't forget to have fun while you are here and make...

Cassi Sauer

Graduate studies can sometimes feel all consuming. When your studies become overwhelming and exhaustion sets in, take a moment to take a step back and reflect on your broader life goals. It is easy to get lost in day-day tasks, but focusing on...

Cariad Knight

I have a lot of advice, but I know it might not resonate with everyone, so my too long didn't read advice: get involved and find your community, whether it's within your program, at UBC or in Vancouver. Take advantage of UBC's many resources —...

Stef Atkinson

Create a realistic schedule for yourself. Grad school is unique in that you have so much more control over your time than you do as an undergraduate student. For some people, that can be difficult, though. Be honest about the hours of the day you...

Zelyn Lee

My advice for new graduate students is to take time at the start of your program to explore all the opportunities and resources the university offers. Once your workload picks up, it’s easy to miss out! Be sure to check out health and wellness...

Stephanie Xie

Finding balance! Make time for self-care and relaxation, and surround yourself with a support group of peers, friends and mentors who can provide encouragement and guidance.

Jenevieve (Jen) Hyslop

Some advice I received and found helpful is that your graduate school experience is what you make it. It is up to you to find and pursue opportunities that align with your goals and passions. Not every opportunity will be a good one for you, and...

Yao Zhang

You read Google reviews before going to a restaurant, so the same due diligence should be done before choosing a lab. Make sure to talk to current graduate students in your prospective lab to get a first-hand review of what you might be getting...

Bronte Johnston

Graduate school can be very overwhelming at times due to the large number of things that need to get done. To help keep focused and motivated, I find it helpful to break things down into feasible tasks I can accomplish in one day, and then take...

Amie Orsetti

Even though starting graduate school can be really busy and stressful, setting aside time to do things you love or that help you relax is important. If you can connect with supportive people in your life, like family and friends, it can also help...

Nicolas Viens

Take as many opportunities as you can. Get involved in extracurricular projects (research, policy work, etc.) that will help you find your interests and career preferences. Find a good supervisor who can be your mentor and help you connect with...

Alyssa Izatt

When you’re starting out, do what you can to build connections with other grad students. Friendship and community are essential parts of getting through grad school! Also, getting a grasp on time management and not overcommitting yourself are...

Kidus Achalu

1) For science students specifically, I think one of the most important things to remember is that “in science, you have good days and bad months." It can be all too easy to feel like you are not making progress and to question your abilities....

Viviana Shiffman

Graduate school is a new experience, and you’ll face challenges that are different from what you've encountered before — and that’s completely normal. A key aspect of grad school is learning to tackle new problems and develop solutions. Take it...

Tamara Mihic

Coming back to school after working for a number of years has been amazing. I am so grateful for every learning opportunity and opportunities to make connections with others conducting research within my field. I recommend to new graduate...

Andrea Kellaway

G+PS put on some excellent workshops for grad students throughout the year, so make sure you’re on their mailing list and check them out! In particular, I’ve really appreciated the workshops on impostor syndrome and procrastination, as well as...

Jake Felker

For new graduate students, my advice is to embrace learning and don’t be afraid to question everything, no matter how basic or hard it may seem. Grad school can be challenging, but it’s also a time to grow both academically and personally. Also,...

Brianna Bristow

I believe there's a common misconception that you need to have your exact career path determined before pursuing graduate studies. In my experience, that's not the case. Grad school opens the doors to many future possibilities and gives you the...

Johnathan Wong

One piece of advice I have for new graduate students is to actively reach out to other lab members, whether you’re seeking advice or looking to get involved in their projects. Engaging in conversations and learning about their work can provide...

Muhammad Adnan

Starting a graduate program can feel overwhelming at first. It requires a shift in mindset, focusing on research rather than just completing courses. My advice to new graduate students is to take your time adjusting to the new environment, stay...

Marsha Masseau

Understand that you are embarking on a sort of metamorphosis. Whatever you believe about yourself, your writing will be challenged. You are likely much more skilled than you give yourself credit for, but you will nonetheless travel metaphysical...

Sarah Hanstock

Do not close yourself off to new opportunities, whether that be within or outside of academia. During your degree it might serve you well to move out of your comfort zone by participating in activities beyond your project. If you are offered a...

Carraugh Brouwer

I’ve found that meeting people in your department outside of your research group is really important. Interacting with other members of the department can be a fruitful source of new ideas for research, and they may even help you out if you run...

Erica Qureshi

My biggest piece of advice for new graduate students is to think about what skills you want to gain in your training. In all graduate programs there is flexibility in what and how you complete your research. Getting clear early on about your...

Sahi Hajirawala

Find your people! I can't emphasize enough how important it is to network with peers and make connections throughout your graduate studies. One of my most cherished experiences has been the relationships I’ve built through my program and the...

Samadhee Kaluarachchi

One key piece of advice I have is to ensure you set up a sustainable routine: take breaks, set aside time for your hobbies, eat nourishing food and get plenty of sleep! Engaging in conversations and attending research talks both within and...

Jess Tran

Starting graduate school is so exciting! I think that amidst the excitement, I took on too many courses and projects early on. As a new grad student, I’m trying to remind myself to slow down and make more time for reflection, care and rest. I was...

Chloe Grant

Don't put too much pressure on yourself.

Michelle Lu

Don't get too caught up on making mistakes. It is always better to find ways to move past them than to dwell on them. You are still learning!

Louise Ramos

My advice would be to try and find balance between your academic life and personal life. I am definitely still guilty of letting my research take over my life, but it makes a difference to take the time to spend time with friends or do something...

Olivier Hinse

Do not be afraid to try stuff; errors are essential to learning. Some experiments will fail.

Antonia Soldovieri

Don't forget to take breaks. There will always be more you could be doing, but taking care of yourself, building in rest and finding time away from your work will allow you to do better work in the end.

Oliver Tong

Allow yourself to spend time on your hobbies and interests outside of just research or classes. Research does not always go the way you want it to go, and having something else you like doing makes it a lot easier to stay positive even when that...

Alexandria Shaw

When looking for a research supervisor, you want to make sure they're the right fit for you! Also, talk with current lab members and make sure it’s a research environment that is suitable for you! Remember this is a huge commitment (especially if...

Christina Whang

While it is natural for new students to feel pressured to make quick progress in the program, I believe that taking time to network with surrounding researchers and professionals in your field is essential. Keep an open mind and you may fall in...