Genevieve Bonnor Get out there! Join clubs, start a journal club in your lab, and don't be afraid to ask others for collaboration opportunities or help with any questions. Read More Jamie Kwon Cultivate a network of support, not just for academic collaboration, but also for the much-needed coffee breaks and adventures. Don't underestimate the power of a good conversation with someone outside your field—it can spark innovative ideas and... Read More Raha AtashPa For new graduate students embarking on this transformative journey, my advice is threefold: 1. Embrace Interdisciplinarity: Open yourself to the wealth of knowledge that exists beyond the boundaries of your chosen... Read More Michael Sekatchev When you first start grad school, say yes to everything. Explore as many directions as you possibly can, academic and otherwise. And definitely outside of your department. This is especially true if you've spent your undergraduate degree working... Read More Stéphanie La France Explore to your hearts' content, read outside of your field, make mistakes, be clumsy, and be compassionate toward yourself as you learn and develop as a student. Cultivate your 'why': why are you here doing what you are doing? Finally, remember... Read More Colton Strong Shop around for the right project-supervisor-environment fit and take advantage of the MSc to PhD fast track! Maybe more important than your thesis project will be the training environment that you are in, including your immediate supervisor, but... Read More Jackson Moore Think early on about what you want and need from a research supervisor. While it’s important to find a research project that you’re passionate about, it’s arguably just as important to find a supervisor that meets your learning style and will... Read More Leah Alfred-Olmedo Be kind to yourself and keep an eye on your mental health; graduate work can be a slog and it's important to remember that there is life outside of your studies. Sometimes it can be really hard to speak up in the small intense discussion groups... Read More Parker Muzzerall My advice for new graduate students is quite simple, really - learn to relax and build a life outside of grad school. In other words, don't work on weekends, and don't be afraid to put the books down and go for a hike or a bike ride on a Tuesday... Read More Andrea Kampen I would encourage new graduate students to embrace their own non-linear narratives. There’s such beauty in not smoothing out the rough edges and corners of your inquiry. Some people may have a burning question they’ve wanted to explore and engage... Read More Shalini Iyer The most crucial advice I can offer would be to choose an institution and/or lab with a supportive supervisor and community. Research is one of those fields where you will often face more failures (or as I like to call them “learning experiences... Read More Sharada Balaji Take the time to make friends! The graduate degree experience can occasionally feel overwhelming, and it’s helpful to feel like you’re going through it all with friends and commiserate together, even if you don’t work with them on the same types... Read More Narsis Daftarian Since experimental medicine is a research-based program, the piece of advice I think might be helpful is to choose a field of research during your graduate study, that will help you build your future area of research and carrier. Read More Shelby Marozoff Finding the right supervisor is important as this is one of the most important relationships you’ll have for the duration of your degree and even afterwards while setting up your career. Also, aiming for balance during a graduate degree will make... Read More Ash Larnder Just take it one step at a time. Read More Brook Hadwen My advice would be to seek out as many opportunities to learn as possible. Don't wait for learning opportunities to fall in your lap. If you see a project you'd like to help with, reach out and ask! If you have the opportunity to be a part of... Read More Harris Wong My biggest piece of advice for new graduate students make sure to prioritize things like hobbies, physical activities, and relaxation. It is a bit cliche, however, there is an ever-growing pile of work that you need to complete in graduate school... Read More Katelynn Kowalchuk Being a first-generation student can be challenging in ways that are difficult to articulate. Surround yourself with people who support you, remember why you started graduate school in the first place, and make sure to take time to do the things... Read More Carly Hamdon Be kind to yourself. Graduate school can be overwhelming and relentless. Give yourself time and space to adjust to the new level of expectations you will face and remember that mistakes are inevitable. Read More Loulou Cai UBC has a lot to offer, from various clubs, inter-mural sport teams, and activities. I would suggest to find your niche and build a community there, whether it's in your program or outside of it. Read More Risa Tonita If you're experiencing imposter syndrome you are not alone! Please be kind to yourself in ways that make sense to you. Sometimes getting an A+ is not worth all of the stress that goes into it and it is better to enjoy a dessert with a friend or... Read More Ashley Gilliland I would advise new graduate students to ask for help, spend meaningful time planning their next steps, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Research is often met with unforeseen challenges therefore perseverance and grit are necessary to be... Read More Kabir Bhalla My advice for new graduate students is to embrace boldness and fearlessly explore new paths and opportunities. UBC offers a wealth of experiences, and there's always something exciting happening. Make the most out of your degree – after all, it... Read More Juri Kim Unexpected situations can occur during the graduate program that may cause disruptions and stress. I hope you won't be overly burdened by circumstances that are often beyond our control. During the early stages of my doctoral program, I, like... Read More Xuyan Tang Embrace setbacks as stepping stones. View failures as opportunities to learn, grow, and uncover your true potential on your path to success. Let each challenge propel you forward, empowering you to achieve greatness in both academics and life. Read More Darren Blackburn When you first start your graduate program, you may have experiences that shake your self-confidence. Your instructors may introduce new language and concepts you’ve never heard of and don’t understand. Your supervisors may be critical of your... Read More Rana Minab Work-life balance in graduate school is an important aspect of a student's overall well-being and success. Prioritizing self-care reduces stress and will improve your overall performance in school. Utilize your support systems and reach out to... Read More Raymond Wu One of the things that I was a bit reluctant to do when I first started was to share research ideas. I was initially worried that they would not be very good. Soon, I realized that most of them were for a fact, not very good. Through the process... Read More Veronika Larsen Join student groups, get to know your peers and faculty members, and enjoy your time at UBC! Read More Quanhan Xi Find a school-life balance that works for you. Graduate school has significantly less mandatory contact time than undergraduate studies, which means that you have much more flexibility to work (or not work). It's a valuable skill to learn and be... Read More Betty Shea My advice is to spend time on your relationships with classmates, labmates and supervisor(s). When research gets challenging (as it often does), these are the people who will help you stay focused and motivated. Read More Arash Mousemi Define your academic and career goals early on. Having a clear vision will guide your choices and research direction throughout your graduate program. Also, take care of your well-being. Read More Mohit Pandey (i) Explore the great outdoors of BC - BC is one of the most scenic places on our planet. Take full advantage of exploring it while you are here. (ii) Vancouver can be expensive - This follows from (i). Everyone wants to call this place their... Read More Talia Morstead My primary advice for new graduate students is to approach all areas of inquiry with an open mind, and prioritize engaging with an array of diverse ideas and perspectives. Graduate school is an amazing opportunity to obtain valuable training,... Read More Katarzyna Kabacinska My biggest advice would be to foster your curiosity and don't get easily discouraged. It can be tough to find your research topic, but once you finally do, it will make your degree all that more rewarding. Read More Rama El-khawaldeh My advice to new grad students is to build strong relationships with mentors for guidance and networking and seize collaboration chances for real-world exposure. Every expert was once a beginner, and starting somewhere is essential. For me,... Read More Felix Giroux Identify and voice your needs to find your path. And try something beyond intellectual and academic work! Read More Jennifer Cooper Grad school is a roller coaster with some really intense highs and lows. I think one of the most important things you should do in grad school is to build up a network of people who can support you through the lows and celebrate the highs with... Read More Nicholas Richardson One of the main reasons you are here is to learn so take advantage of the opportunities you have to develop your knowledge, but also learn a new skill, learn a new perspective, or learn more about your peers. Read More Rane Simpson A graduate degree, at least in science as I am familiar, is not the easiest path to pursue. Not everyone that I know in this program is as certain about their future as others. Sometimes you don't know which side of the fence you lie on until you... Read More Belinda Chi My advice is to be open to conversation, listen, and be willing to expand your thoughts. While we are here to learn, we are also here to unlearn and relearn. Read More Heather Baker My first piece of advice would be to find a good work-life balance. While it can be easy to get caught up in the research (and sometimes the moment demands it), establishing hobbies and routines outside of school can help you feel grounded (and... Read More Bonnie Leung Something I am still learning to do is how and when to say "no". As a graduate student, there are many learning and experiential opportunities. While the training program is finite, learning does not stop when you graduate and opportunities you... Read More Aysha Allard Brown 1) Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone, 2) Celebrate your achievements (big or small), and 3) Enjoy the journey! Read More Lorna Tu My advice would be to keep going forward but don’t forget to occasionally pause and look back at how much you’ve learned and how far you’ve come. The journey is just as important as the destination. Read More Geoffrey Woollard The best advice I can give is going to be for people with a similar biography and goals. So my advice is for ambitious domain experts who want to tool up in computer science and solve challenging scientific problems. I would advise them to take... Read More Xiaocong Guo My advice to new graduate students is to not work in a silo. There is a wealth of knowledge in research experts, your peers, and those who started a similar journey before you. Collaborate and learn from them whenever you can, and you will... Read More John Harvey O'Hara My best advice is to access all the resources you think you might need, whether it's accommodations from the Center for Accessibility or assistance from your supervisor. Graduate school is an incredibly busy time, and it's important to ask for... Read More Fang Fang Li Like any journey, there will be both good days and bad days. Within the good days, there will be days where you will feel invincible — as if you’re standing on top of the world. On the flip side, you may find that the worst of the bad days are... Read More 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. Read More Pages1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … next › last »
Genevieve Bonnor Get out there! Join clubs, start a journal club in your lab, and don't be afraid to ask others for collaboration opportunities or help with any questions. Read More
Jamie Kwon Cultivate a network of support, not just for academic collaboration, but also for the much-needed coffee breaks and adventures. Don't underestimate the power of a good conversation with someone outside your field—it can spark innovative ideas and... Read More
Raha AtashPa For new graduate students embarking on this transformative journey, my advice is threefold: 1. Embrace Interdisciplinarity: Open yourself to the wealth of knowledge that exists beyond the boundaries of your chosen... Read More
Michael Sekatchev When you first start grad school, say yes to everything. Explore as many directions as you possibly can, academic and otherwise. And definitely outside of your department. This is especially true if you've spent your undergraduate degree working... Read More
Stéphanie La France Explore to your hearts' content, read outside of your field, make mistakes, be clumsy, and be compassionate toward yourself as you learn and develop as a student. Cultivate your 'why': why are you here doing what you are doing? Finally, remember... Read More
Colton Strong Shop around for the right project-supervisor-environment fit and take advantage of the MSc to PhD fast track! Maybe more important than your thesis project will be the training environment that you are in, including your immediate supervisor, but... Read More
Jackson Moore Think early on about what you want and need from a research supervisor. While it’s important to find a research project that you’re passionate about, it’s arguably just as important to find a supervisor that meets your learning style and will... Read More
Leah Alfred-Olmedo Be kind to yourself and keep an eye on your mental health; graduate work can be a slog and it's important to remember that there is life outside of your studies. Sometimes it can be really hard to speak up in the small intense discussion groups... Read More
Parker Muzzerall My advice for new graduate students is quite simple, really - learn to relax and build a life outside of grad school. In other words, don't work on weekends, and don't be afraid to put the books down and go for a hike or a bike ride on a Tuesday... Read More
Andrea Kampen I would encourage new graduate students to embrace their own non-linear narratives. There’s such beauty in not smoothing out the rough edges and corners of your inquiry. Some people may have a burning question they’ve wanted to explore and engage... Read More
Shalini Iyer The most crucial advice I can offer would be to choose an institution and/or lab with a supportive supervisor and community. Research is one of those fields where you will often face more failures (or as I like to call them “learning experiences... Read More
Sharada Balaji Take the time to make friends! The graduate degree experience can occasionally feel overwhelming, and it’s helpful to feel like you’re going through it all with friends and commiserate together, even if you don’t work with them on the same types... Read More
Narsis Daftarian Since experimental medicine is a research-based program, the piece of advice I think might be helpful is to choose a field of research during your graduate study, that will help you build your future area of research and carrier. Read More
Shelby Marozoff Finding the right supervisor is important as this is one of the most important relationships you’ll have for the duration of your degree and even afterwards while setting up your career. Also, aiming for balance during a graduate degree will make... Read More
Brook Hadwen My advice would be to seek out as many opportunities to learn as possible. Don't wait for learning opportunities to fall in your lap. If you see a project you'd like to help with, reach out and ask! If you have the opportunity to be a part of... Read More
Harris Wong My biggest piece of advice for new graduate students make sure to prioritize things like hobbies, physical activities, and relaxation. It is a bit cliche, however, there is an ever-growing pile of work that you need to complete in graduate school... Read More
Katelynn Kowalchuk Being a first-generation student can be challenging in ways that are difficult to articulate. Surround yourself with people who support you, remember why you started graduate school in the first place, and make sure to take time to do the things... Read More
Carly Hamdon Be kind to yourself. Graduate school can be overwhelming and relentless. Give yourself time and space to adjust to the new level of expectations you will face and remember that mistakes are inevitable. Read More
Loulou Cai UBC has a lot to offer, from various clubs, inter-mural sport teams, and activities. I would suggest to find your niche and build a community there, whether it's in your program or outside of it. Read More
Risa Tonita If you're experiencing imposter syndrome you are not alone! Please be kind to yourself in ways that make sense to you. Sometimes getting an A+ is not worth all of the stress that goes into it and it is better to enjoy a dessert with a friend or... Read More
Ashley Gilliland I would advise new graduate students to ask for help, spend meaningful time planning their next steps, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Research is often met with unforeseen challenges therefore perseverance and grit are necessary to be... Read More
Kabir Bhalla My advice for new graduate students is to embrace boldness and fearlessly explore new paths and opportunities. UBC offers a wealth of experiences, and there's always something exciting happening. Make the most out of your degree – after all, it... Read More
Juri Kim Unexpected situations can occur during the graduate program that may cause disruptions and stress. I hope you won't be overly burdened by circumstances that are often beyond our control. During the early stages of my doctoral program, I, like... Read More
Xuyan Tang Embrace setbacks as stepping stones. View failures as opportunities to learn, grow, and uncover your true potential on your path to success. Let each challenge propel you forward, empowering you to achieve greatness in both academics and life. Read More
Darren Blackburn When you first start your graduate program, you may have experiences that shake your self-confidence. Your instructors may introduce new language and concepts you’ve never heard of and don’t understand. Your supervisors may be critical of your... Read More
Rana Minab Work-life balance in graduate school is an important aspect of a student's overall well-being and success. Prioritizing self-care reduces stress and will improve your overall performance in school. Utilize your support systems and reach out to... Read More
Raymond Wu One of the things that I was a bit reluctant to do when I first started was to share research ideas. I was initially worried that they would not be very good. Soon, I realized that most of them were for a fact, not very good. Through the process... Read More
Veronika Larsen Join student groups, get to know your peers and faculty members, and enjoy your time at UBC! Read More
Quanhan Xi Find a school-life balance that works for you. Graduate school has significantly less mandatory contact time than undergraduate studies, which means that you have much more flexibility to work (or not work). It's a valuable skill to learn and be... Read More
Betty Shea My advice is to spend time on your relationships with classmates, labmates and supervisor(s). When research gets challenging (as it often does), these are the people who will help you stay focused and motivated. Read More
Arash Mousemi Define your academic and career goals early on. Having a clear vision will guide your choices and research direction throughout your graduate program. Also, take care of your well-being. Read More
Mohit Pandey (i) Explore the great outdoors of BC - BC is one of the most scenic places on our planet. Take full advantage of exploring it while you are here. (ii) Vancouver can be expensive - This follows from (i). Everyone wants to call this place their... Read More
Talia Morstead My primary advice for new graduate students is to approach all areas of inquiry with an open mind, and prioritize engaging with an array of diverse ideas and perspectives. Graduate school is an amazing opportunity to obtain valuable training,... Read More
Katarzyna Kabacinska My biggest advice would be to foster your curiosity and don't get easily discouraged. It can be tough to find your research topic, but once you finally do, it will make your degree all that more rewarding. Read More
Rama El-khawaldeh My advice to new grad students is to build strong relationships with mentors for guidance and networking and seize collaboration chances for real-world exposure. Every expert was once a beginner, and starting somewhere is essential. For me,... Read More
Felix Giroux Identify and voice your needs to find your path. And try something beyond intellectual and academic work! Read More
Jennifer Cooper Grad school is a roller coaster with some really intense highs and lows. I think one of the most important things you should do in grad school is to build up a network of people who can support you through the lows and celebrate the highs with... Read More
Nicholas Richardson One of the main reasons you are here is to learn so take advantage of the opportunities you have to develop your knowledge, but also learn a new skill, learn a new perspective, or learn more about your peers. Read More
Rane Simpson A graduate degree, at least in science as I am familiar, is not the easiest path to pursue. Not everyone that I know in this program is as certain about their future as others. Sometimes you don't know which side of the fence you lie on until you... Read More
Belinda Chi My advice is to be open to conversation, listen, and be willing to expand your thoughts. While we are here to learn, we are also here to unlearn and relearn. Read More
Heather Baker My first piece of advice would be to find a good work-life balance. While it can be easy to get caught up in the research (and sometimes the moment demands it), establishing hobbies and routines outside of school can help you feel grounded (and... Read More
Bonnie Leung Something I am still learning to do is how and when to say "no". As a graduate student, there are many learning and experiential opportunities. While the training program is finite, learning does not stop when you graduate and opportunities you... Read More
Aysha Allard Brown 1) Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone, 2) Celebrate your achievements (big or small), and 3) Enjoy the journey! Read More
Lorna Tu My advice would be to keep going forward but don’t forget to occasionally pause and look back at how much you’ve learned and how far you’ve come. The journey is just as important as the destination. Read More
Geoffrey Woollard The best advice I can give is going to be for people with a similar biography and goals. So my advice is for ambitious domain experts who want to tool up in computer science and solve challenging scientific problems. I would advise them to take... Read More
Xiaocong Guo My advice to new graduate students is to not work in a silo. There is a wealth of knowledge in research experts, your peers, and those who started a similar journey before you. Collaborate and learn from them whenever you can, and you will... Read More
John Harvey O'Hara My best advice is to access all the resources you think you might need, whether it's accommodations from the Center for Accessibility or assistance from your supervisor. Graduate school is an incredibly busy time, and it's important to ask for... Read More
Fang Fang Li Like any journey, there will be both good days and bad days. Within the good days, there will be days where you will feel invincible — as if you’re standing on top of the world. On the flip side, you may find that the worst of the bad days are... Read More
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. Read More