Advice from UBC Students

Emilie Carpentier

Take time to appreciate the soft skills you'll develop in graduate school. While you may go months without any major breakthrough or any significant data collection, you're always learning new things and improving yourself. Looking back, I'm...

Jessica Koski

Follow your passion & chart your own path with each step you take.

Mohammad Zandsalimy

Enjoy life to the fullest, make good friends, build a professional network, utilize every second of your time, and never get discouraged.

Mopelola Akinlaja

Believe in yourself, you are here for a reason. I struggled so much with that. There are so many incredibly brilliant people here and sometimes I would get lost in it and doubt my own abilities. With the help of my family and friends, I had...

Emilie Théberge

To know your “why”, and to put effort into relationships with your colleagues. Your network and intrinsic motivation are important to have around when times get tough. Also, make sure to schedule in regular protected time - like for exercise,...

Darryl Gray

Attending a graduate program at UBC was the best choice I ever made in life. I look back at the challenges and learning experiences through my years in graduate programs at UBC. These learning experiences help to motivate my present and future...

Taylor Dunlop

My advice to new graduate students is to ensure you take time to explore and enjoy this wonderful city. I know it is easy to get caught up in the responsibilities that come with research; however, I believe that with effective time management...

Kathryn Anderson

My advice is to give yourself plenty of time to learn and adapt to new challenges. Budget double the time you think you need. Writing manuscripts and thesis work takes a long time, but you'll get faster!

Sasha Tuttle

My only advice would be to not forget to take breaks. Starting a graduate degree can be overwhelming as you realize how many new responsibilities you have and how much higher expectations are, relative to an undergraduate degree. If you pace...

Atlanta-Marinna Grant

Be empowered by the unknown and it is ok to think 'differently'. Coming into my Masters I felt there should be a blueprint of sorts to walk me through the process. In reality, it was tons of twists and turns, and learning through mistakes. This...

Aditi Pradeep

It's important to try showing up to events, be it social or academic. You would learn a lot from just being there and also get to connect with people who are passionate about the same things as you.

Gabriel Currier

Don't take it all too seriously and remember to take care of yourself. Also, hobbies are a good thing - if your academic career doesn't work out maybe you can make a living off of them!

Jin Wen

The best advice I have is making sure you take time for self-care. Graduate school is a marathon not a sprint, and there is always going to be "something more" you can do, so its important to schedule regular time to decompress. It would also...

Gerrit Krueper

Do not get intimidated by the amount of work ahead of you. Move one step after another, go day by day and try to leave enough time to explore the world around you - it is highly important to maintain a balanced social life while being in grad...

Shaoxuan Ren

My advice for new graduate students is to learn how to make plans for themselves. The first step of making a plan is making goals. These goals can be daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly. For long-term goals, remember to retrospect so you can...

Phoebe Wong

Be friendly to everyone so you can talk to diverse people and learn how your research can produce positive results beyond academia. Also, be better at saving money than me!

Ewan Wright

Try to stay organised and work out what you need to prioritise in both your work and personal life. Make the most out of the freedom of university by taking time to do things outside of work, be it learning a language, meeting new people or...

Justin Wyss

Explore UBC and Vancouver. You are at a prestigious university in an amazing city, which has a lot to offer. Take advantage of it!
Connect with people in your field and beyond. There are many interesting people whom you can learn...
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Ameen Amanian

I would advise new students to be open, collaborative, and immerse yourself in groups of people with different skills and interests. Focus on personal growth as it will ultimately help your career growth.

Neha Sharma-Mascarenhas

Graduate school may seem daunting initially but give yourself some time and ask for support when you need it. Most of us are usually facing the same challenges; and peers, faculty and staff are more willing to help than we think. These...

Maryam Vaseghi-Shanjani

My advice for new graduate students is to challenge themselves to move outside of their comfort zone and learn new techniques in the lab. With the scientific field expanding faster than ever, we need to be well-versed in a variety of research...

Sofie McComb

Graduate degrees are incredibly rewarding but also incredibly challenging. It is important to have compassion and kindness for yourself. Make sure to relax, pace yourself, and enjoy the experience. Get involved in the community however you can...

Hamidreza Galavi

Long story short, the challenges that we graduate students are facing are not easy, in particular in the current situation due to Covid-19. So for answering this question, I would like to get help from two elites. Marie Curie, the two times...

Carrie Peters

I recommend that new graduate students work to create networks within and outside of the university setting. Graduate school is a marathon not a sprint, and having good social support goes a long way!

Ihoghosa Iyamu

I would say get engaged in the community and explore the plethora of opportunities to learn and contribute as soon as you can. UBC’s School of Population and Public Health engages in very applied scholarship, so these opportunities are not...

Alberto Campos

I’d advise new grad students to fully enjoy what UBC and Vancouver have to offer. UBC offers innumerous and valuable resources for incoming students, from financial and health counselling to tax workshops and bike-sharing opportunities. Make sure...

Alexandra Tully

Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions (scientific or otherwise) of the more senior graduate students when you first arrive.

Evelyn Arriagada

These are uncertain times. It is difficult to be engaged in academic activities when outside, in the 'real world', everything seems to be changing. However, I am convinced that academic work can serve as a platform to develop and enrich both,...

Enav Zusman

Enjoy your experience in grad school! It is your time to learn, ask questions and figure out what you are passionate about. Be positive, patient, and open to new ideas and concepts. Make friends, network, collaborate and support your peers and...

Kim McCullough

Be kind to yourself! You belong here, and you are more than enough. I've seen "imposter syndrome" run rampant among new graduate students (and am no stranger to it myself!) so I think it's most important to focus on one's mental health, remember...

Andy An

Another student told me this, which really resonated with me: Treat your degree like a startup, and you're the CEO. That means you have to take ownership of your thesis project, because nobody else will. Taking ownership means having a vision or...

Calem Kenward

New graduate students should know that studies and research are important, but it is your time outside the lab or classes that will make your experience memorable and unlike any other period in your life. Vancouver and BC have tons to offer, so...

Kate Peterson

Academically, I think one of the most important parts about graduate school is keeping an open mind about constructive feedback. We have the privilege of getting advice from experts in our fields, and listening to and incorporating their feedback...

Andrew Kukor

While work is important, developing a healthy work-life balance is even more vital. It's easy to lose track of the important things during graduate studies (especially the first year), but focusing on what you enjoy and remembering to take time...

Sahar Ghadirianniari

UBC provides you with a lot of opportunities to learn new things related to your field and beyond your field. Don't be afraid to explore them, and try to benefit from them as much as you can before you graduate!

Linnea Kalchos

My advice for new graduate students is simple: enjoy every moment of your experience. To me, this means prioritizing your health and well-being, asking for supports, meeting as many new people as you can, trying new things and taking every...

Fiana Kawane

Every process of gaining an education is personal, especially a research degree, so take any advice with a grain of salt. Nevertheless, there are some elements that are transpersonal to be able to moderately thrive in university. Ask questions,...

Elizabeth Castle

Ask all the questions! Imposter syndrome is definitely something I have felt very acutely, especially towards the end of my MSc and the starting in a new field/lab for my PhD. However, coming into my PhD, I set a simple, but valuable personal...

Rivkah Gardner-Frolick

Take care of your relationships and health. Graduate school can be hard! However, it can be easier if you don't take it too seriously and make sure you enjoy other parts of life.

Sarah Skinner

Get involved in your department! Apply to work as a research or teaching assistant, attend and present at conferences, and volunteer for committees. Not only is it a great way to build your CV, but it gives you the chance to become part of the...

Hadis Mozaffari

I suggest trying to take every chance you have to expand your networking circle because the connections you establish help you to realize what drives, inspires and fulfills you in academic and even in personal life. Try to find a balance between...

Imranul Laskar

Depending on your research, the work can be either very engaging or isolating or something within these extremes. Regardless, as exciting as it can be, embarking on a PhD journey can be daunting in many ways. Therefore it is very crucial to take...

Antoine Belley

Don't be afraid to ask questions and go talk to other professors/researchers in your field, and use conferences to network! You never know when a simple discussion with someone can turn into a collaboration for a publication.

Tasha Wainstein

The graduate experience can be isolating; it is important to find a community of peers with whom you can connect about your experiences. It's also important to find that ever-elusive work/life balance and not be sucked into the idea that graduate...

Meryem Belkadi

I would advise new graduate students to: - Reach out for help when needed; I have found everyone at UBC to be very helpful and always willing to lend a hand. - Take part in professional development programs, workshops, and events organized by the...

Saattvic Saattvic

Make lots of new friends, especially with people from other departments. Make sure to look outside your department and enjoy the variety of intellectual stimulation the University has to offer.

Anne-Cécile Delaisse

Graduate school allows you to take time to learn and do research about the things you are passionate about. You are given a lot of freedom and support. Take advantage of this unique and privileged opportunity to its fullest!

Emily Bliven

My advice for new grad students: set boundaries with your work, try not to compare your progress others, and don't be afraid to ask for help (whether it be academically or emotionally). Working sustainably at a high level simply isn't effective...

Tonje Molyneux

I think a key to surviving and thriving in a graduate program is forming strong bonds with peers. When you're connected with others, you can share the experience and be a support to each other. There's no reason to be alone or feel alone in this...

Abhinav Kumar Checkervarty

1) Setbacks are a part of life, but for hard times, I have a guiding quote which I would like to share “The obstacles in life are not some walls that you can’t penetrate, but just some extra distance that you have to cover.” So just keep on...