Advice from UBC Students | Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

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…

Meera Sharma

I am new myself, but endeavoring to keep my own mental and physical health as a priority feels very important to me. For me that looks like partaking in activities that bring me a sense of joy, relaxation and connection.

Judy Cheng

Make sure you are passionate about your research topic before diving into a PhD! I found that the fast-track program that UBC offers is a great way to test the waters and see if your lab is a good fit for you and vice versa before transitioning…

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…

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.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Jacquelina DaSilva

My advice to new graduate students is that it's important to balance academics and personal well-being. Graduate school can be intense, so setting clear boundaries is essential for long-term productivity. With less structure and more self-…

Blair MacDonald

The font size on your slides and posters needs to be at least three times larger.

Chloe Grant

Don't put too much pressure on yourself.

Connor Thompson

You need to learn to tolerate uncertainty and the open-ended nature of scientific research. Focus on small tasks and do something every day that moves you closer to your goals.

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.

Andrew David Gunter

Research is very demanding, and it can be easy to focus on that entirely without enjoying the rest of what UBC and Vancouver have to offer. Make an effort to carve out some time for enjoying something completely unrelated to your studies; exploit…

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…

Kayla McIntyre

Breathe. Know your limits and advocate for yourself; you know yourself better than anyone else so remember to recharge and relax. It can often seem fast-paced, so take this opportunity to engage with your community and build meaningful…

Caroline Stampliaka

New graduate students should embrace the adjustment period and enjoy the process. Although the transition to graduate school may initially feel overwhelming, immersing yourself in research or studies you are passionate about and developing…

Sabrina Cao

Starting grad school can feel pretty daunting, especially because it tends to feel more isolating than undergraduate programs. I would advise new graduate students to look for opportunities to get involved. There are lots of student groups that…

Serena Trang

My advice is to not let yourself be discouraged if things do not go according to plan. Research rarely pans out as you expect it to. Being able to adapt when things veer off path is an important skill to develop during your graduate studies. A…

Michelle Chang

For incoming students, I think the most important thing to do for yourself is to stay present and to submerge yourself in your research and studies. Graduate school is an endeavour of passion and love for your chosen subject, and you should revel…

Ariana Shivji

Try to get involved in your community! UBC has a lot of great extracurricular options and Vancouver has so many clubs and groups that you can join. Whether you get involved by joining a club on campus, becoming a member of your graduate student…

Isabella DiBerardino

I would tell new graduate students to never doubt themselves or their abilities. It is really easy to get caught up and tell yourself that everyone you are working with is better than you, smarter than you or more experienced than you, but the…

Sangeetha Kasturi

Getting started in your program can be incredibly overwhelming at first; there are so many things you must do to get started with your project. Take some time to really go through your program’s resources (likely found on their website). For…

Emily Lawson

It can be difficult to set boundaries around work — there is always something left undone. This advice can be surprisingly difficult to follow, but: take days off. Truly off. Set working hours and try not to work outside of them. (I am breaking…

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…

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…

Katherine Marchant

Make time for yourself and for friends. Graduate school can sometimes feel quite isolating, especially during thesis writing. It can feel unproductive, but spending some time relaxing and or socializing might be just what you need in order to…

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…

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…

Max Abercrombie

My advice would be don’t be afraid to ask for help and reach out to those who are more experienced around you. Grad school is filled with people who have already experienced the problems you are facing and are more than happy to help.

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,…

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…

Cal Rosete

Planning is part of the process! Sitting down to lay out experiments, work out the little details, and understand the protocol is just as productive as doing the experiment. Rushing into experiments can be a recipe for disaster if you don’t take…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Jonas Olsen

My advice to new grad students would be to get involved and talk to people! It is very easy to get completely engrossed in your work and exist in a bubble, but it is well worth it to make friends with the people you will be studying with for…

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.…

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!

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…

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…