Stef Atkinson
Why did you decide to pursue a graduate degree?
After graduating with my first undergraduate degree, I spent years reading every book I could get my hands on that explored sport and performance psychology. I always joked that my dream was to be a professional athlete, and if I couldn't do that, I wanted to work with high-performance athletes. After about eight years of being enthralled with sport psychology, I returned to university for a second undergraduate degree in Psychology, committing to act on my long-standing passion. Returning for this second undergraduate degree was necessary to have the appropriate background to apply for my graduate degree. At that point, I had no doubt that pursuing a graduate degree was the course of action I needed to turn my passion into my life's work. In essence, I decided to pursue a graduate degree to do the work I had been dreaming of doing for so many years before.
Why did you decide to study at UBC?
I decided to study at UBC for a few different reasons. During my application process, I was drawn to Dr. McEwan's research and his areas of interest. Of course, there were other supervisors I considered who were also conducting research of interest to me. However, I felt most confident in my connection with Dr. McEwan, which I believed would afford me the most positive and rewarding experience in my graduate studies. However, it certainly did not hurt that UBC is in a beautiful city surrounded by the ocean and mountains. Moving across the country to attend UBC was a very challenging decision, but I had a gut feeling that UBC was where I was supposed to be, and it felt right from the moment I got here.
What is it specifically, that your program offers, that attracted you?
I was attracted to the number of unique course offerings UBC had available to fulfill the course requirements for my thesis. However, the driving force for pursuing this program was really just the path it would carve for me to conduct meaningful research that would directly give back to athletes. I felt confident that this program was directly serving my passion and would afford me an excellent opportunity to transition into my PhD at UBC upon completion.
What was the best surprise about UBC or life in Vancouver?
The best surprise was that it came into my life exactly when I needed it. Moving to a new city is stressful, but it's extraordinary to forge connections with people who are passionate about the same things you are and to feel a renewed sense of potential for where your life is heading. It's been a wonderful thing to start anew here.
What aspect of your graduate program do you enjoy the most or are looking forward to with the greatest curiosity?
I love the freedom in my schedule to do work when best for me. It has given me a huge sense of balance in pursuing my graduate studies while still filling my cup in the other areas of my life outside of my academics. However, I also love connecting with my supervisor, Dr. McEwan, about our plans for my thesis research. It is really gratifying to feel excited about the work you're doing.
What aspects of your life or career before now have best prepared you for your UBC graduate program?
Having a non-traditional background of two undergraduate degrees and being quite a few years older than my cohort has greatly prepared me for this program. During my second undergraduate degree, I completed an independent research project and an honours thesis. I also participated in a lot of research volunteer work. These experiences gave me an incredible foundation to work effectively with minimal supervision or accountability. However, it's also given me a sense of maturity and gratitude to be approaching my graduate studies because it was such an intentional decision to leave my career and return to school to pursue this journey.
What do you like to do for fun or relaxation?
While it might not be fun for most, I train relatively seriously for CrossFit. I spend a fair amount of time each week dedicated to self-improvement within that sport. I also love to hike and take in the view from the mountains or grab coffee with friends. At home, I love to relax by watching some of my favourite shows or reading a good book.
What advice do you have for new graduate students?
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 want to work and start planning how you will accomplish your work that might not be due until some date months in the future. There's much less supervision of your time, so you have to take the initiative to hold yourself accountable for your responsibilities. However, with that, build time for the things you love that bring you joy. You need time for yourself. Take care of yourself first so you can keep showing up academically.
