Advice from UBC Students

Abhinab Kadel

Make the most of the resources on the campus. There are many different clubs and graduate societies that allow you to make new friends. While finding housing in Vancouver is challenging, you will see more options while you are here. So, it is...

Yaning Yang

During the times of remote learning and social distancing, reach out to your cohort and faculty. They have a lot of support to offer. Also, taking initiatives in programming and activities pays off as well.

Rohit Vijh

Be open to all opportunities! Take courses that challenge you and will help build skills that you don't have. If you have specific interests or passions, reach out to faculty that align with them. Also, just enjoy the campus (if you have time)! I...

Eve Wicksteed

I'd suggest you get all your courses done in the first year of your degree if possible. It means that you'll be able to spend dedicated time the whole of the following year on your research which will hopefully enable you to finish up your degree...

Candace Ho

Take advantage of Vancouver’s nature and food scenes to connect with others and build unforgettable memories and friendships! Don’t be afraid to try new things; I got ClassPass (pre-COVID) and went to my very first dance classes with my...

Mariam El-Temtamy

Always remember to put your physical and mental health first! Starting your graduate studies can already bring on some stress, especially during a pandemic, so it’s very important to make sure that all aspects of your health is in check - whether...

Elisabeth Gross

I would tell new graduate students to enjoy what you are learning and who you are becoming. You've worked your heart out to get into the program you are in today, so soak it in. You're learning to become a competent clinician or researcher,...

Ana Pozas

Whether you feel it or not, 'the world is your oyster'. Making an impact, overcoming new challenges, getting where you want to be, are all part of the learning process of completing a graduate degree and in my opinion, knowing what your...

Ali Zwicker

Enjoy it! It can certainly be easy to get bogged down with assignments and deadlines, but I’ve found that practicing gratitude and reflecting on all the incredible things I’ve learned have helped me to stay in the moment and really enjoy my time...

Adeerya Johnson

Grad school is not a race. Take your time and be kind to yourself as you matriculate through your program.

Ni Gusti Ayu Nanditha

Get yourself an umbrella and a rain coat... the city is called Raincouver for a reason :) On a more serious note, there are a lot of great advices for new graduate students out there, but my advice would be one word: self-care. Like others have...

Jen Edgecombe

I was scared to go to grad school and waited years to start. Within weeks of starting, I wondered why I waited so long. My advice to others is to just do it. Don’t wait. It’s more manageable than you think!

Iain Robertson

I would suggest that you create a schedule and physical space where you can do your work. I would also encourage them to reach out if they have questions or concerns. The Faculty and support staff at UBC are top-notch and truly interested in your...

Cheyenne Christopherson

Do your research and find a program/research group that suits you! Grad school is a long, difficult, confusing but incredibly rewarding journey. You want to make sure you're in a program that you truly love, that you can come back to day after...

Asmita Sharma

The one thing I would like to tell all new graduate students is - relax! It may seem like you don't have all the answers right now. We all go through a confused phase where we don't know what we are meant to do. Take advantage of any opportunity...

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...

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...

Bonnie Tulloch

Make time to develop friendships with colleagues in your program. The challenges of graduate life are easier when you have people to navigate them with. Also, it is important to celebrate each other's progress! When we help each other succeed we...

Kate Kysow

You can't do everything at 100%. If you want to still enjoy your life outside of graduate school, it's a better bet to aim at 85% or pretty good. The clinical psychology program at UBC takes 6 years plus an internship to complete--that's a long...

CHINCHENG LIN

Enjoy the experience of being a UBC graduate student. Don’t be shy to ask any questions. Exploit plenty of resources provided by UBC.

Connie Fan

Vancouver is such a great place to study and enjoy! Go outdoors and brighten your "best years of life" here studying at UBC!

Trevor Arsenault

Plan your time in Vancouver as if you may only be here for the duration your graduate program. Take advantage of the opportunities to explore the area; experience the art galleries, museums, restaurants, food trucks, stores, parks, performances,...

Adelia Jacobs

As a new graduate student, starting in the midst of a pandemic, I've realized how important it is to practice self-appreciation, self-compassion, and gratitude.

Jens Johnson

I think that keeping a planner/agenda (physical or virtual) is a big help, both for remembering the gallery of moving target obligations and for scheduling relaxing or hobby time.

Michael Rowley

Don't forget to take time for yourself. I have seen many people bury themselves in research to the point where they have no time to focus on their mental health. Graduate studies can be stressful when you do this, so make sure you have a way to...

Yuejian Liu

Keep enthusiastic and curious about your research and every day in life.

Petar Iliev

My advice would be to find a good support network during your studies. Be proactive and introduce yourself to classmates and peers in your faculty. Join the graduate society and become part of the community. The graduate programme is challenging...

Jordie Fischer

Don't rush the process by constantly thinking forward about the next step, next degree or next job. Learning to become content with the life stage you are in brings more joy and allows you to recognize that life is not about the final destination...

Jasper Heaton

Have a hobby or activity or *something* that you enjoy that is not in any way related to you studies, and make sure you find some space for it every week. Writing a dissertation can be lonely but it doesn't have to be. Find a working group, share...

Danielle Hanke

Don't be afraid to ask questions! Starting grad school, especially if you are starting grad school at a new school or in a new country, can be confusing and a little overwhelming at the start, but asking questions can help alleviate a lot of the...

Arman Hejazi

Try to have an appropriate work-life balance. I saw many graduate students dealing with this, which is somehow expected if you don't manage your time well, as the workload for a graduate student is not low, especially during the first half of the...

Kaili Vesik

Expect to get completely overwhelmed at some point in your first year; then at least it won't be a surprise when it inevitably happens! Also, living close to - or on - campus if you can is a wonderful way to improve your mental health by reducing...

Megan Zeni

There is a lot of life to live outside of being a graduate student in Vancouver. Be sure to make time for play and joy. Get up in the mountains, get out on the water, and into a garden! This is just one season of your life, not your whole life....

Athanasios Kritharis

My advice is get involved in 1 or 2 side activities, one for recreation and the other to complement your professional development. Research is not life and coming out of graduate school you will be a much more well rounded person if you DONT...

Melody Salehzadeh

I would advise new graduate students to find a hobby that helps them take their mind off of work for a few hours a week. As graduate degrees are very demanding, there is always more work to be done. Therefore, it is important to actively take...

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.

Matt Naylor

Take advantage of the opportunities provided by the university and your department. Go to extra seminars. Enjoy your teaching opportunities. Remember that you're in a graduate program because you enjoy the subject matter and you're good at it,...

Hiroshan Gunawardane

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

Kate Minniti

Do not over-commit and, if possible, find time to relax! Join a club, work out, nap, play videogames with friends...whatever helps you unwind.

Bita Zareian

Try to balance your studies with self-care and fun activities! Graduate school provides you with great training in your respective fields of research but can take up a lot of time, and at times, can be stressful! It's important that you allow...

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.

Jonathan Doucette

Read papers from other fields, and try to connect them to your own research. If you are struggling with figuring out how to solve something, there is a good chance somebody else has struggled with the same problem! Similarly, dedicate lots of...

Tessa Blanchard

It’s a marathon, not a sprint! A graduate degree takes time to accomplish and most of us have the wrong mindset where we tend to overwork ourselves until we burn out. However, we sometimes forget to enjoy life outside the lab and maintain a...

Debra Wertman

Take time to work in different environments before commencing a graduate program – discover what you love to do! Choose your program and research area carefully, graduate degrees are a large investment of time and you should feel supported and...

Ariel Ko

Take advantage of the travel grants to fund your research conferences and choose destinations you haven’t been to before! One thing I didn’t expect going into graduate studies is the opportunities and support to travel to different countries. Not...

Cassandra Miller

Trust the process and go easy on yourself! In the first year of my graduate studies, it felt like my field was so extensive and intimidating and everyone knew what was going on except me. But everyone feels that way starting out – one day it just...

Sophie Ma Zhu

Compared to undergraduate students, graduate students are more likely to live off-campus or have other commitments in their lives, at least based on my own experience and my observation in the Faculty of Education. But I strongly recommend...

Brett Hathaway

Don't feel that you have to do and be everything right off the bat. There will be time to find your path, learn what you need to learn, and reach your goals. Stressing too much about it at the beginning will only hold you back in the long-run....

Haiming Luo

My advice for graduate students is to not rush into a project or a lab. Take some time to think about what you want out of this chapter of your life. Strike a balance between your professional development needs and your personal growth goals. You...

Zhaohua Cheng

Follow your heart - focus on what you are passionate about. Plan ahead - pace out your work, plan some breaks in between. Work hard - no matter what program you are in, it is not easy. Hard work is the key to success (graduation). Enjoy life -...