Advice from UBC Students

Steve Commichau

Visit the events hosted by the SASC. They are important, interesting, and usually there is free pizza. Also, don’t forget to rest and hydrate.

Hiroshan Gunawardane

Find what you truly love and do it, it doesn’t have to be what someone else expects you to do.

Evan Warner

Stress, academic guilt, impostor syndrome... everyone experiences these at some point. Recognize that you aren't alone in those feelings, and find people you can talk with about them.

Valentina Rutigliano

Writing a dissertation is a daunting task. The process is not only intellectually challenging but also very unstructured. So we sometimes feel guilty about taking well-deserved breaks, or to the contrary we give in to nasty procrastination...

Iris Lin

You are not alone! I learned that being connected and engaged was hugely important to my academic and professional success, as well as for my mental health and overall well-being.

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.

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.

Gaylean Davies

I think most people who apply to and end up in graduate school are over-achievers. My advice would be to release the idea of perfection if it is something to which you have traditionally been attached. Everyone sounds like they know exactly what...

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...

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...

Katharine 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.

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

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...

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!

Lingyi (Gloria) Li

Being patient to yourself when you meet problems in your research, thinking, and observing calmly then you will overcome those obstacles.

Khadija Anjum

I believe it's essential to give oneself time to settle down in a new place and program; the environment, the food, everything takes time getting used to. Doctoral programs are a particularly unique academic endeavor, and one should be prepared...

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.

Verena Rossa-Roccor

Widen your horizon and do not focus all your time and energy on your studies. Branch out and take/audit courses in other faculties; make use of the ample opportunities to get involved both on campus and beyond; and strive to become a well-rounded...

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...

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.

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.

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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...

Jessica Archibald

To follow their passion and to remember mistakes are a way of learning too!

Rebecca Sherbo

Do research that you’re really passionate about, and be honest with yourself and your supervisor if you need to pivot to feel that passion. There are challenges in research no matter what the field, and the best way to get through those is to...

Pramit Saha

My advice to them would be: always be ready to learn from others, be prepared to move out of your comfort zone (if needed), and be focused towards clearly understanding the basics of the concepts. This is a wonderful opportunity to know your own...

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...

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.

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...
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Timilehin Oguntuyaki

Emotional Intelligence. Please learn how to handle your own emotions so as to maintain good mental health. I experienced a rude shock when I started my program at UBC; the intensity, the pace, and the rigor were all second to none.

Lara Aysal

I try to see this process of my life as an adventure and enjoy it as much as I can.

Amanda Cheung

1) Take advantage of everything UBC has to offer – you are in charge of the trajectory of your degree. 2) Find your community – grad school does not have to be lonely, talk to your peers and faculty. 3) It’s a marathon, not a sprint… enjoy the...

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...

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...

Sikander Randhawa

Don't forget that your time in graduate school is also a chance for you to discover a lot about yourself. Try things that you have never tried before, immerse yourself in new hobbies, and find out as much as you can about yourself. You may not...

Meenakshi Swaminathan

There are always things that would be happening which you would want to go. It is better to prioritize them and allocate time for such things and find friends with common interests.

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!

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...

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.

Hilal Kina

Find a supervisor who you can work with and a topic that you are passionate about, and remember that the ups and downs of graduate school will not last forever. Graduate school can be an isolating place (and while spring here is superb, winters...

Jennifer Lavalley

Don't be scared to unsettle the traditional/conventional ways of doing research. Be creative. Take risks.