Advice from UBC Students | Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Melanie Mackay

Get to know your professors and fellow graduate students. My research group talks constantly on a group chat and we brain storm all of the time. Someone is sharing papers or internet links or planning something almost daily in our chat. We take…

Bronwen Grocott

Don't let anyone else tell you what your experience in grad school will be! So much of this program is what you make of it and the work can really take over most of your life if you allow it to. Work-life balance isn't always easy to maintain but…

Hacina Gill

My greatest advice for new grad students is to advocate for yourself and know that you are valuable. Entering grad school can be hard - it's overwhelming and can shake one's self-confidence - but know that you deserve to be treated with respect…

Monir Shahzeidi

I want to tell them to be focused on their dream and never give up. Being persistent, positive, and resilient is crucial to success. I also advise them to find a balance between work and life and enjoy their student life.

Haopu (Lily) Ren

Always be open-minded, and do not miss any opportunity to learn.

Yas Oloumi Yazdi

It’s very overwhelming when you first start. There are so many things to try and do. It may seem like a lot is being thrown at you but after the first couple months you start to feel a bit more comfortable and settled in. Communicating with your…

Alana Cook

Balance! I look to traditional medicine wheel teachings, and recognize that when I start to feel unwell, it is usually because I am not nourishing myself as a whole: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually/culturally. A wheel that's…

Grady Thompson

Consistent steady effort towards research is the most effective way I have found for working through difficult problems. Setting small manageable goals for each day and week helped me work towards the result for research problems. The problem can…

Kaitlin Gairdner

My advice for new graduate students would be to go for it. Take the leap and trust in yourself.

Brent Peekeekoot

Don't be afraid of failure. Once you're here in Vancouver studying at UBC, relax and know you've already made it. Work toward slowly finding the pieces of the harmony complex puzzle of mediating life.

W. Austin Guild

One thing I would say to incoming graduate students would be to take your time in your program. It is very easy to rush the process and miss out on important opportunities, as well as overwhelm yourself. Graduate school is a marathon, not a…

Olivia Maracle

Talk to people within and outside of your circles. Think about what is missing in your workplaces, your studies - the gaps. Connect with your muses. Don't be afraid to reach out, raise your hand, or stand tall. Think about your advantages and…

V. Pauahi Souza

Never let life hold you victim from becoming victorious! Set a goal and when you achieve that goal, set another one. Challenge yourself to make interpersonal relationships with people you may have never thought you would sit with at a table. As…

Madison Chapel

One of the first pieces of advice I received was "If you're going to fail, fail early". You shouldn't let concerns about an experiment or project potentially failing delay you from starting it. It's better to have a project crash and burn in the…

Holly Reid

I would say spend time reflecting on your needs and boundaries before starting your program, or even at any point along the way. The more in touch you are with your interests, ways of learning, communication style, intellectual needs, work style…

Gracie Crafts

My advice for new graduate students is to ask lots of questions and set up check ins with your supervisors or other faculty members that may be able to offer guidance.

Rachel Dickens

Surround yourself with like-minded people, and do research that is close to your heart.

Brandi Bird

I’m a new graduate student but I think I would tell my peers to make sure they talk to graduates of their program or people further along in their degree than themselves. I had spoken with graduates of the MFA before choosing to apply and that…

Jade LaFontaine

Find a community, create networks and share ideas with others in your field so that you can gain better sense of understanding as well as building meaningful relationships with those around you who will surely make your time at UBC more…

Vriti Bhagat

Choose a supervisor whose mentorship style matches your learning style. This will be critical to ensuring you receive the type of support that you need to flourish as an early career researcher. Also, have a support system in place both within…

Meghna Mohandas

The PhD program can be a very isolating space. Make sure that you have a good social network and support group as it can be difficult to navigate this long process on your own.

Cara James

Throw yourself into every social, academic, and professional opportunity that comes your way. Especially when you first arrive, as this is the best way to build a strong community around you. As a PhD student you will be at UBC for 3-5 years so…

Jonathan Beutler

Choosing the right graduate program is a very important decision. Ask a lot of questions before committing to any one program. Ask to meet with current students in the program as well as interviewing with the lead professor. Learn as much as you…

Abisola Kehinde

When starting your graduate studies, it's crucial to ensure that your living situation is conducive to your mental health. Don't hesitate to spend a little extra to get a comfortable apartment that promotes your overall well-being, including…

Emma Stirling-Cameron

Say yes to new opportunities, even if they're outside your comfort zone! And your cohort and lab members are your biggest supporters. Take the time to get to know them and don't be afraid to ask them for advice or guidance.

Picture of Williams-Davidson, KC, Terri-Lynn

Terri-Lynn Williams-Davidson, KC

Depending on where your career will take you, you may not have the same opportunity of concentrated learning that graduate studies provide. I found that fostering a mindset of gratitude and treating graduate studies as a luxury, meant to be…

Ahmed Kabil

One of the best pieces of advice I can offer to new graduate students is to find a mentor who can guide you through your studies and career. This mentor should be someone who is not only knowledgeable and experienced in your field but also…

Nicole Bison

Try to attend seminars often, even if they aren’t directly related to your dissertation. You might end up seeing your own work from a different perspective which I think leads to the most interesting and important science!

Kiarah O'Kane

Follow the path that you are passionate about! Believing in your research and being curious about the topics you are studying is so important for figuring out what you want from your graduate experience.

Aria Malhotra

Enjoy all the beautiful things Vancouver has to offer!

Musanna Galib

Take your time. No need to rush and try to enjoy the journey of graduate studies.

Oludolapo Makinde

Graduate study at Allard Law is an exciting experience but getting into the program is quite competitive. So, it’s important that you do not leave your application till the last minute. Once you start your program, set your goals, establish…

Alexis Bahl

Meet with prospective advisors at least 6 months ahead of applying to the program. This will give you time to get to know the person and learn about the benefits/challenges of the program from the person and their students. While an aligned…

Jerry Achar

All graduate students seem to be in the same boat. Academic activities, including research, can really make you enjoy your time at the University when you progress well with every effort you make. But this is not always the case; sometimes, you…

Shiva Zargar

My first piece of advice is to take care of your mental and physical health. Gaining the highest achievements without being healthy is not worth a penny. My second piece of advice is to look at graduate programs as a journey in which you will…

Dante Prado

It is common for graduate students to be confused and feel overwhelmed, but eventually, you will devise your methods to organize, making you feel more confident. More importantly, strive to be open, to use every resource and opportunity to grow…

Rachel Vivian Helmer

Surround yourself with a few mentors in the department who will guide you, and ask what the specific expectations are for your program (ex. timeline). Then make a schedule/research plan.

Ajibola Fabusuyi

Stay on course and make the best use of the numerous student- and research-friendly resources available on campus. Be willing to ask questions and challenge stereotypes. And if there is any need, ask for help. Nobody judges anyone because…

Pinhao Xiang

Don't say no to opportunities. Try as many new things as possible. You will never discover your passion if you don't try new things.

Braden Russell

Find a supportive and welcoming community! Your mental and physical health is the most important, do not forget to take care of yourself. Always remember you do bring something to the discussion and that your perspective matters!

Haley Hrymak

I always remind myself to not worry about creating things that are perfect- there is no such thing.

Pardis Kazemian

My advice for upcoming graduate students is to stay creative in their work. Do not be afraid to pitch new ideas and take risks; however, be prepared and back it up with appropriate research. Also, do not hesitate to reach out to people within or…

Khair Mufti

Finding the suitable environment for your graduate training is of great importance and has a huge impact on your overall performance and graduate life experience. Make sure to surround yourself with supporting mentors and to get connected with…

Ritwik Bhattacharjee

Take it slow. This is a long ride. Take care of your mental and physical health first. The grades will follow.

Eunice Bawafaa

Prepare well financially before arriving and get a place to stay before you arrive.

Sabina Staempfli

Don't underestimate the value of working as a research assistant. I learned just as much during my first year of my PhD program working as a research assistant as I did during the other aspect of my studies. It helped me make valuable connections…

Brandon McNabb

I would recommend talking to current and former students and post-docs to find out if the lab you're interested in will be a good fit. I also started out as a MSc student before scaling up, which I think was a nice way to "test the waters" before…

Alexander Garner

Take initiative. Even though grad school is largely a self-driven journey, there are many supportive people willing to help you at UBC. You just need to reach out to them and ask. If you want something, make it a reality. You never know what you…

Paul Herringer

I think grad school is a lot of fun because there's always something new and exciting to try, academically and otherwise. However, one of the biggest challenges is finding a balance between doing everything and doing nothing well. I don't claim…

Adrienne Kinman

Choose the environment and advisor over a specific project. Lots of things change (life and science-wise) over the course of graduate school, but having a supportive community around you makes all the difference.