Adam Dvorak I would advise new graduate students to reach out to their peers as early as possible. A good support network is essential for getting through coursework, comprehensive exams, and everything else that a PhD entails. Read More Shoshana Schwebel Keep in mind that Vancouver is an outrageously expensive city (UBC’s fee calculator as of 2019 listed $29,000 as the minimum annual amount needed to live in Vancouver and attend UBC), and ask to be funded accordingly. Read More Sarah Morris Don’t worry if your research seems intimidating to start with! Go to every relevant talk you can, ask lots of questions, read papers and suddenly you will be surprised about how much you know. But also, take time to enjoy your life - you only get... Read More Louis-Alexandre Fournier Join a lab that studies a topic you are passionate about and with like-minded people. You will inevitably be faced with challenges during your time in graduate school. Having a strong support group and being enthusiastic about your project helps... Read More Katie McCloskey Avail yourself of opportunities to meet other researchers and faculty and let them know you're keen. You never know what opportunities might open up to you. Read More Gordon Tao There is plenty of excellent advice to receive on being a graduate student, from your supervisor to your peers to UBC resources. As you consider this advice, keep in mind your strengths and limitations, and be aware of what aligns with your... Read More Eric Lees Invest time in learning new skills while remaining focused on the big picture. It is often the case that graduate students rush the progress of a research project and end up down a different path, which may or may not be fruitful. The key is to... Read More Jerry Leung Keep an open mind, be willing to explore different avenues, don’t be afraid of reaching out to other peers or professors for advice or collaborations, and most importantly engage in the activities that you are passionate about! Graduate studies... Read More Ben Nadeau Take care of yourself first and foremost, and celebrate your achievements. Grad school is a marathon, not a sprint and some parts will be harder than others. Work hard and make the most of your free time. Read More Samantha Dziurdzik Graduate school is a marathon, not a sprint. Make sure you have a good work-life balance where you set time aside for yourself so you don’t burn out. It’s also important to have a good support system so remember to make time for friends and... Read More Elizabeth Straus PhD work can be a bit of a roller coaster at times; it can also be lonely at times, especially once you complete your coursework. Be kind to yourself. Find opportunities to stay connected with the school and those with whom you feel comfortable... Read More Jayden Lloyd People love to give advice, but ultimately the person that knows what's best for you, is you. Read More Julia Goldman-Hasbun Don't be afraid to change your mind. I've changed my mind so many times -- programs, disciplines, research areas -- and I couldn't be happier about where I ended up. The work is so much easier when your heart is in it, and many of the skills... Read More Ran Xiang Be adventurous—don’t be afraid to take risks. Trust yourself unconditionally. Exercise self-care at all times. Read More Nathan Lawrence I tried to rush things a little too much in terms of my research because everything was new and exciting. I suggest taking it slow, being patient, and making sure you are taking it all in. Additionally, I believe that it’s important to focus on... Read More Peter Grin My biggest advice would be to highlight the fact that graduate school is a rollercoaster (for nearly everyone, in one way or another), there are incredible highs and challenging lows, and the most important thing is to know who you can talk to... Read More Lingyi (Gloria) Li Being patient to yourself when you meet problems in your research, thinking, and observing calmly then you will overcome those obstacles. Read More Angela McLaughlin Keep your degree roadmap in the back of your head, but accept that it will continuously change. Ask questions even if you think you will sound stupid. Stay curious. Remember how much of a privilege it is to study freely and deeply. Read More Amy Inkster I would encourage new graduate students to choose their supervisors and laboratories very carefully! Laboratories and supervisory styles are so varied, and I truly believe that there is a "best fit" for each student. Take the time to speak to... Read More Anna Ratuski I have learned from experience that failure is a big part of research! Things will go wrong, things will take longer than you expect them to, and that's okay. Read More Walker Williams It's easy to get caught up in your studies and work and not realize the opportunities for experiencing UBC and Vancouver until it's too late. Go to the UBC botanical garden or Nitobe memorial garden, visit the museum of anthropology, see a VSO... Read More Nikolaus Dean Take your time, breath, and be curious. Take courses that interest and challenge you and pursue research that you are passionate about. Also, make sure to check out the many amazing coffee shops around UBC, and Vancouver! Read More Brock Williams I would advise seeking opportunities outside of your core research, e.g. teaching, volunteer, or committee positions, to expand your professional network and diversify your educational experience. Read More Robyn Peers My biggest advice is to always follow your passions. The people you meet in graduate school are incredibly smart, and luckily also incredibly different. Comparing yourself and your work to others ignores that you have a unique and important... Read More Maira Hassan Don't give up and find your community(ies). If graduate studies and research make you happy, then know that you are in the right place. If you are struggling, reach out for help. It can feel lonely as a graduate student sometimes, so make sure... Read More Hilary Brewis Graduate school is hard, but the thing that will get you though it is a real passion for your research topic. Choose a research group that will help you reach your specific goals and has the correct learning environment for you. Not all... Read More Joseph Liang Make friends with other people in your program (and outside of your program), and not just those in your graduating class! Friends who are your seniors can be great mentors, and it is only natural to pay it forward and mentor the incoming class... Read More Natasha Parent Take it one day at a time! Try to enjoy where you're at and not to think too far ahead. Simply work hard and follow your interests, the rest will sort itself out. Read More Mike Wilkinson Grow in skills that will more likely bring about success! In particular: -push yourself through articulated goals -learn how to be self-disciplined -stay open to and cultivate relationships in your academic community (and beyond) -know what... Read More Jessica Archibald To follow their passion and to remember mistakes are a way of learning too! Read More Jian Guo Make sure you enjoy what you are doing. Research should be fun. Do not take it as a labor work, and you will not feel lost or helpless when challenges arise. Read More Prashant Pandey If you have not yet started or are still considering grad school: Do not rush! What and where to study are very important decisions, and you should carefully investigate different research groups to make sure that you are going to be in an... Read More Dora Alejandra Gaviria Serna Doctoral studies is a demanding process, that is why I consider it important to try to maintain a balance in life. Take time for yourself to share with others and to relax. Read More Sara Hosseinirad Be flexible and accept the fact that you may not know everything and learning and gaining some skills take time Be patient and persistent to be able to reach your goals and meanwhile Find a right community to get involved... Read More Lara Aysal I try to see this process of my life as an adventure and enjoy it as much as I can. Read More Dwayne Tucker To new graduate students, I would say read a lot! If you will be doing a thesis-based project, the goal is to become as much of an authority on your topic as possible; this requires a lot of background reading and keeping abreast of what’s new in... Read More Sherry Kiafar My greatest advice to new graduate students is to try to be persistent in your research, make the most out of your time in graduate school, don't hesitate to use the support available to you, don't lose the balance between work and life, and have... Read More Jeffrey Morgan Make sure to pursue projects and academic interests outside your direct graduate research project. This will give you the opportunity to meet and get inspired by others outside your network, and you never know where it will lead you! Read More Fumiya Nagai I think that many graduate students, particularly those engaging in their projects individually, easily get isolated because we spend many hours reading and writing by ourselves. I find it really important to stay connected with your friends and... Read More Ellen Jopling A very wise mentor once told me that a graduate program is like a gas; it will take up the space you give it. So, you have to set boundaries. For me, this meant carving out a solid routine and a work-life balance early on in the program. Read More Calvin Zhuhan Qiao Take good care of yourself both physically and mentally. Set reasonable goals. Step outside of your comfort zone with a plan and purpose. This is where we grow and where the magic happens. Read More Jennifer Lavalley Don't be scared to unsettle the traditional/conventional ways of doing research. Be creative. Take risks. Read More Katrina Besler Find a community that isn’t focused on academia, in addition to your academic community. For me, this was my faith community, and I found it to be a huge source of support and a space to remember who I am as a person outside of being a student.... Read More Uuganbadrakh Oyunkhishig I would advise new graduate students to start building their personal network right away after enrolling in their program. It will help them find a job, increase their exposure to new research, and obtain experiences from others. They should also... Read More Katlyn Richardson Put yourself out there! Whether its volunteering or applying for awards - the best opportunities to disseminate your research will come from making yourself and your research visible. Read More Rohit Singla Three tips. 1) Your relationship with your supervisor is fundamental to your grad school experience. 2) Connect with and learn from as many people as you can, as you never know where inspiration will arise. 3) Be mindful of your journey, and... Read More Jacob Stubbs Try to find the elusive balance of saying “yes” to as many opportunities as you can while still maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Take things seriously but don’t forget to enjoy your day-to-day, and always remember to keep the bigger... Read More Roland Nadler Take all advice with a grain of salt. While there are things we feel we can all relate to as graduate students, the truth is that there's such an incredible level of variability both across and even within programs that only you can figure out... Read More Kelsey Timler Find supervisors that you feel comfortable being vulnerable with. Equally important is to find peers whose work and values are aligned with your own, and have consistent mechanisms to touch base and hold one another up. Finally, it’s important to... Read More Paul Boniface Akaabre Communicate frequently with your supervisor(s) and establish a good working relationship with them and other faculty members as well as your colleagues. You should balance your schedule well - know when to attend to your academic work and when to... 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Adam Dvorak I would advise new graduate students to reach out to their peers as early as possible. A good support network is essential for getting through coursework, comprehensive exams, and everything else that a PhD entails. Read More
Shoshana Schwebel Keep in mind that Vancouver is an outrageously expensive city (UBC’s fee calculator as of 2019 listed $29,000 as the minimum annual amount needed to live in Vancouver and attend UBC), and ask to be funded accordingly. Read More
Sarah Morris Don’t worry if your research seems intimidating to start with! Go to every relevant talk you can, ask lots of questions, read papers and suddenly you will be surprised about how much you know. But also, take time to enjoy your life - you only get... Read More
Louis-Alexandre Fournier Join a lab that studies a topic you are passionate about and with like-minded people. You will inevitably be faced with challenges during your time in graduate school. Having a strong support group and being enthusiastic about your project helps... Read More
Katie McCloskey Avail yourself of opportunities to meet other researchers and faculty and let them know you're keen. You never know what opportunities might open up to you. Read More
Gordon Tao There is plenty of excellent advice to receive on being a graduate student, from your supervisor to your peers to UBC resources. As you consider this advice, keep in mind your strengths and limitations, and be aware of what aligns with your... Read More
Eric Lees Invest time in learning new skills while remaining focused on the big picture. It is often the case that graduate students rush the progress of a research project and end up down a different path, which may or may not be fruitful. The key is to... Read More
Jerry Leung Keep an open mind, be willing to explore different avenues, don’t be afraid of reaching out to other peers or professors for advice or collaborations, and most importantly engage in the activities that you are passionate about! Graduate studies... Read More
Ben Nadeau Take care of yourself first and foremost, and celebrate your achievements. Grad school is a marathon, not a sprint and some parts will be harder than others. Work hard and make the most of your free time. Read More
Samantha Dziurdzik Graduate school is a marathon, not a sprint. Make sure you have a good work-life balance where you set time aside for yourself so you don’t burn out. It’s also important to have a good support system so remember to make time for friends and... Read More
Elizabeth Straus PhD work can be a bit of a roller coaster at times; it can also be lonely at times, especially once you complete your coursework. Be kind to yourself. Find opportunities to stay connected with the school and those with whom you feel comfortable... Read More
Jayden Lloyd People love to give advice, but ultimately the person that knows what's best for you, is you. Read More
Julia Goldman-Hasbun Don't be afraid to change your mind. I've changed my mind so many times -- programs, disciplines, research areas -- and I couldn't be happier about where I ended up. The work is so much easier when your heart is in it, and many of the skills... Read More
Ran Xiang Be adventurous—don’t be afraid to take risks. Trust yourself unconditionally. Exercise self-care at all times. Read More
Nathan Lawrence I tried to rush things a little too much in terms of my research because everything was new and exciting. I suggest taking it slow, being patient, and making sure you are taking it all in. Additionally, I believe that it’s important to focus on... Read More
Peter Grin My biggest advice would be to highlight the fact that graduate school is a rollercoaster (for nearly everyone, in one way or another), there are incredible highs and challenging lows, and the most important thing is to know who you can talk to... Read More
Lingyi (Gloria) Li Being patient to yourself when you meet problems in your research, thinking, and observing calmly then you will overcome those obstacles. Read More
Angela McLaughlin Keep your degree roadmap in the back of your head, but accept that it will continuously change. Ask questions even if you think you will sound stupid. Stay curious. Remember how much of a privilege it is to study freely and deeply. Read More
Amy Inkster I would encourage new graduate students to choose their supervisors and laboratories very carefully! Laboratories and supervisory styles are so varied, and I truly believe that there is a "best fit" for each student. Take the time to speak to... Read More
Anna Ratuski I have learned from experience that failure is a big part of research! Things will go wrong, things will take longer than you expect them to, and that's okay. Read More
Walker Williams It's easy to get caught up in your studies and work and not realize the opportunities for experiencing UBC and Vancouver until it's too late. Go to the UBC botanical garden or Nitobe memorial garden, visit the museum of anthropology, see a VSO... Read More
Nikolaus Dean Take your time, breath, and be curious. Take courses that interest and challenge you and pursue research that you are passionate about. Also, make sure to check out the many amazing coffee shops around UBC, and Vancouver! Read More
Brock Williams I would advise seeking opportunities outside of your core research, e.g. teaching, volunteer, or committee positions, to expand your professional network and diversify your educational experience. Read More
Robyn Peers My biggest advice is to always follow your passions. The people you meet in graduate school are incredibly smart, and luckily also incredibly different. Comparing yourself and your work to others ignores that you have a unique and important... Read More
Maira Hassan Don't give up and find your community(ies). If graduate studies and research make you happy, then know that you are in the right place. If you are struggling, reach out for help. It can feel lonely as a graduate student sometimes, so make sure... Read More
Hilary Brewis Graduate school is hard, but the thing that will get you though it is a real passion for your research topic. Choose a research group that will help you reach your specific goals and has the correct learning environment for you. Not all... Read More
Joseph Liang Make friends with other people in your program (and outside of your program), and not just those in your graduating class! Friends who are your seniors can be great mentors, and it is only natural to pay it forward and mentor the incoming class... Read More
Natasha Parent Take it one day at a time! Try to enjoy where you're at and not to think too far ahead. Simply work hard and follow your interests, the rest will sort itself out. Read More
Mike Wilkinson Grow in skills that will more likely bring about success! In particular: -push yourself through articulated goals -learn how to be self-disciplined -stay open to and cultivate relationships in your academic community (and beyond) -know what... Read More
Jessica Archibald To follow their passion and to remember mistakes are a way of learning too! Read More
Jian Guo Make sure you enjoy what you are doing. Research should be fun. Do not take it as a labor work, and you will not feel lost or helpless when challenges arise. Read More
Prashant Pandey If you have not yet started or are still considering grad school: Do not rush! What and where to study are very important decisions, and you should carefully investigate different research groups to make sure that you are going to be in an... Read More
Dora Alejandra Gaviria Serna Doctoral studies is a demanding process, that is why I consider it important to try to maintain a balance in life. Take time for yourself to share with others and to relax. Read More
Sara Hosseinirad Be flexible and accept the fact that you may not know everything and learning and gaining some skills take time Be patient and persistent to be able to reach your goals and meanwhile Find a right community to get involved... Read More
Lara Aysal I try to see this process of my life as an adventure and enjoy it as much as I can. Read More
Dwayne Tucker To new graduate students, I would say read a lot! If you will be doing a thesis-based project, the goal is to become as much of an authority on your topic as possible; this requires a lot of background reading and keeping abreast of what’s new in... Read More
Sherry Kiafar My greatest advice to new graduate students is to try to be persistent in your research, make the most out of your time in graduate school, don't hesitate to use the support available to you, don't lose the balance between work and life, and have... Read More
Jeffrey Morgan Make sure to pursue projects and academic interests outside your direct graduate research project. This will give you the opportunity to meet and get inspired by others outside your network, and you never know where it will lead you! Read More
Fumiya Nagai I think that many graduate students, particularly those engaging in their projects individually, easily get isolated because we spend many hours reading and writing by ourselves. I find it really important to stay connected with your friends and... Read More
Ellen Jopling A very wise mentor once told me that a graduate program is like a gas; it will take up the space you give it. So, you have to set boundaries. For me, this meant carving out a solid routine and a work-life balance early on in the program. Read More
Calvin Zhuhan Qiao Take good care of yourself both physically and mentally. Set reasonable goals. Step outside of your comfort zone with a plan and purpose. This is where we grow and where the magic happens. Read More
Jennifer Lavalley Don't be scared to unsettle the traditional/conventional ways of doing research. Be creative. Take risks. Read More
Katrina Besler Find a community that isn’t focused on academia, in addition to your academic community. For me, this was my faith community, and I found it to be a huge source of support and a space to remember who I am as a person outside of being a student.... Read More
Uuganbadrakh Oyunkhishig I would advise new graduate students to start building their personal network right away after enrolling in their program. It will help them find a job, increase their exposure to new research, and obtain experiences from others. They should also... Read More
Katlyn Richardson Put yourself out there! Whether its volunteering or applying for awards - the best opportunities to disseminate your research will come from making yourself and your research visible. Read More
Rohit Singla Three tips. 1) Your relationship with your supervisor is fundamental to your grad school experience. 2) Connect with and learn from as many people as you can, as you never know where inspiration will arise. 3) Be mindful of your journey, and... Read More
Jacob Stubbs Try to find the elusive balance of saying “yes” to as many opportunities as you can while still maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Take things seriously but don’t forget to enjoy your day-to-day, and always remember to keep the bigger... Read More
Roland Nadler Take all advice with a grain of salt. While there are things we feel we can all relate to as graduate students, the truth is that there's such an incredible level of variability both across and even within programs that only you can figure out... Read More
Kelsey Timler Find supervisors that you feel comfortable being vulnerable with. Equally important is to find peers whose work and values are aligned with your own, and have consistent mechanisms to touch base and hold one another up. Finally, it’s important to... Read More
Paul Boniface Akaabre Communicate frequently with your supervisor(s) and establish a good working relationship with them and other faculty members as well as your colleagues. You should balance your schedule well - know when to attend to your academic work and when to... Read More