Advice from UBC Students

person with long black hair standing outside in a green field

Amy Kim

My advice to new graduate students would be to never be afraid to ask for help, especially when you are struggling, because there will always be someone willing to support you. It can be easy to isolate yourself and navigate challenges on your…

Quinlan Bundschuh

One of the biggest challenges of design school is losing track of the big picture. I recommend regularly checking in with yourself to ensure you are advancing your project efficiently and not spinning your wheels addressing less important details…

person wearing a light blue shirt with long dark brown hair

Beth Davenport

It is super important to build relationships with the people around you. Your lab mates, collaborators, and wider graduate community can be an invaluable source of knowledge, perspective, and support. A PhD is a marathon and running it with…

person in a denim jacket standing outside

Renata Rovelo

Choose a research question that you truly care about, because you will live with it for a long time. At the same time, allow the project to change. Have fun!

Qiangqiang Mao

Research does not always progress in a straight line, so do not be discouraged by failed experiments, unexpected results, or temporary setbacks. Stay curious, focus on your own progress rather than worrying too much about how others evaluate you…

person in a blue suit smiling, standing by a white wall

Hrishabh Srivastava

Vancouver is a big city with lots of opportunities. As grad students, work-life isn't 'balanced' as you'd hope for. There are times when it can get extremely lonely and overwhelming. It's important that we take some time…

person sitting near water outside in a white shirt

Raelani Kesler

My advice for new graduate students is to remember that research is a dynamic and iterative experience. Plans, ideas, and directions will change, and learning how to adapt is an important part of the process. I also think it’s important to…

person in black tank top with black hair, smiling

Taylor Wilson

Not to worry too much about measuring your success through productivity. Graduate school has so much more to offer - relationships, learning how you work, and developing sustainable, new, and exciting approaches to scholarship. Find mentors,…

Anita Uzama

I recommend that new UBC graduate students be curious and open to trying new things. As a new graduate, it will be your chance to make new friends and gain new experiences.

Sarah Dagger

Find your people early, and don't wait until you're struggling to do it. Graduate school has a way of becoming isolating if you let it, and having a community around you makes an enormous difference, both for your research and your…

Sarah Huxley

Attend as many events as possible and join clubs that can help you relax and de-stress from your own work load. It is crucial to take care of yourself and your own physical/mental health.

Jacqueline Palik

My biggest advice for new graduate students is to get involved in your community and on campus. It can be easy to spend all of your time in the lab, but graduate school offers so many opportunities that extend beyond your research project. Taking…

Isaac Guld

My advice would be to take your time. There’s no need to rush directly into graduate school after finishing your undergraduate degree. Spending a few years working as a consulting engineer allowed me to build practical skills and gain real-world…

Priya Samuel

My biggest advice is to take advantage of as many opportunities as you can. Go to the workshops, attend social events, present at conferences and say yes to experiences outside your immediate program. And don’t forget to get involved in your…

Griffin Staples

Take some classes at the boundaries of your interests. Talk to and collaborate with as many people as you can — there are rarely so many talented and like-minded people ready to lend a hand than when you're in university.

Lotenna Olisaeloka

Embrace curiosity and be fearless in exploring ideas and opportunities beyond your comfort zone. Walk into any room with your head held high, knowing that you deserve to be there and your unique perspectives are valuable. Be proactive in building…

Yasmin Elliott

I always tell new graduate students that graduate school is a marathon, not a sprint. It can be tempting to try to do everything at once, but pushing yourself to burnout is not the way. While your studies are important, taking care of yourself,…

Niko Andrianos

Stick with it and don't give up! Finding your gap in the literature is the hardest part.

person smiling at camera wearing a suit and tie

Amir Rad

As someone who has completed three master’s degrees and worked in high-tech companies such as Apple for several years, I have learned that graduate school is about much more than coursework and research. My advice to new graduate students is to…

Jennifer Magel

I know that it sounds cliché, but always remember that completing a graduate degree (especially a PhD) is a marathon, not a sprint. Don't be afraid to take a break when you need it or to ask for help when you are struggling (whether with…

Brandon Weigand

Advocate for yourself. Graduate school is full of challenges, and there will be times when you feel uncertain or stretched thin. Even with mentors and peers who support you, there will be moments when only you can speak up about your obstacles…

Tyler De Jong

As cheesy as it sounds, put yourself out there and try new things. Join a student club for that hobby you enjoy, sign up for Day of the Longboat and volunteer to help with other projects in your lab. Get involved. It can be tough to make time for…

Jenna Melanson

You are here because you are "good enough" (whatever that means). The more time I spend in academia, the more convinced I become that everyone has a little imposter syndrome — even the faculty. You shouldn't let your fear of…

Molly Zhang

Apply for funding early and don’t be discouraged by rejection. Keep trying, because you never know what opportunities you might receive if you just put yourself out there. When choosing a supervisor or committee members, try to speak with their…

Harjeev Sudan

Talk to people! Building relationships of mutual trust, empathy and support with those around you can make graduate school feel far less overwhelming and isolating. Find mentors and don’t be afraid to seek support. Be a mentor when the…

Thusitha Wijewardhana Rathnayake

Whatever you do, do it consistently and with a purpose. Grad school will test your patience, adaptability and passion, especially when your experiments fail or your ideas take a new direction. So learn to enjoy the uncertainty. Create little…

Aidan Comeau

Like any academic pursuit, graduate studies can be challenging. Finding a research area that I was truly passionate about has been a key reason why I still enjoy arriving at the lab every day. I also believe it’s worth considering not only a…

Samadhee Kaluarachchi

One key piece of advice I have is to ensure you build a sustainable and balanced routine: take breaks, make time for your hobbies, eat nourishing food and get plenty of sleep. Engaging in conversations and attending research talks both within and…

Marina Mehling

Stay curious and ask questions. You never know when a hallway conversation becomes that "aha" moment you needed for your own work.

Daniel Stewart

Spend some time looking at what UBC has to offer you. There are so many free or cheap programs available to students! These can be great places to meet people. The quantity of options can be overwhelming at times, so my suggestion would be to…

Firth MacKenzie McEachern

Don't jump immediately into a long research project without giving yourself time to think, learn and iterate. Don't be afraid to explore. Take some classes, teach, join smaller collaborative research projects or discussion groups as testing…

Samuel Brown

It’s important to maintain a sense of curiosity; it’s the driving force that keeps research exciting and prevents it from feeling like a chore.

person standing in a winter jacket outside

Yue Guo

Enjoy meaningful conversations with your academic community; they’re often an inspiring part of the journey. Building connections with your peers can be encouraging, so don’t hesitate to ask for help and support others, too.

Dane Sands

Don’t do it alone. Reach out to other students, especially early on. Most people have been through the same challenges and can help you figure things out. Sharing ideas, troubleshooting experiments or just talking things through can really help.…

Taylor Swift-LaPointe

Get involved in your department — attend social events to meet other graduate students outside of your lab. Your experience in grad school can be greatly enriched by having other students to talk to who are on a similar journey to yourself. Also…

Yu-Chi (Serena) Chuang

Choose a program/lab that you think will be a good fit! Grad school throws a lot at you, and it's a much better experience when you're in a supportive environment. Also, balance is key! Looking after your own wellbeing is important, and giving…

Ilena Yim

I guess all of us who pursue graduate studies are enthusiastic and determined about our topic of research. However, sometimes this enthusiasm and determination might turn into trying to achieve “perfectionism.” It’s important to remember that any…

Maria Stephenson

Remember to have fun! Grad school is a marathon, not a sprint, and it's important to maintain a work-life balance. While UBC and Vancouver have a lot of academic opportunities to offer, they have a lot of social opportunities too! Attend graduate…

Margarita Kapustina

As a researcher, pursue the questions that genuinely stand out to you and try to think of creative approaches to solve complex problems. Identify gaps in existing work and consider how you can leverage the tools and techniques already available…

Annika Szarka

Grad school presents many new challenges, and you will likely run into failure more than once. Remember that this is part of the research process. Trust yourself throughout the journey and learn as much as you can along the way.

Erica McAdam

Given the flexibility and self-direction required in doctoral studies, my advice to new graduate students is to actively create a timeline of key milestones and target dates to help keep yourself on track. It’s easy to lose momentum without a…

Sunu (Isabel) Kim

The best advice I could give is not to be afraid of meeting new people in your program or other academic disciplines, as we never know who will inspire us one day. New graduate students should immerse themselves in events/organizations with other…

Woman with black shirt and long dark hair standing outside

Sarah Ferencz

There’s no single “right” path in graduate school. Everyone’s trajectory is different. Talk to lots of people, stay open and curious, and don’t be afraid to change your mind. But also learn to trust your internal voice—the one that pulls you…

Phillip Kirwin

My advice is to be patient and flexible at the beginning of your graduate studies. I recently attended a panel featuring UBC graduate school alumni, and one speaker pointed out that success is rarely linear — it's more often exponential. It may…

Georgia Landgraf

I think my advice is mostly something non-academic: grad school flies by so quickly; take time to build a supportive community within your department and enjoy your time with them. It’s incredibly easy to get bogged down with deadlines and really…

person wearing bright blue shirt smiling outside

Jenna Yuzwa

Make the most of your time here not only by working hard but also by taking advantage of all the other learning opportunities that grad school affords you both within academia and beyond.

Person with a beard and glasses standing outside with snow in the background

Sean O'Rourke

Get to know the broader area beyond campus. I particularly recommend exploring Stanley Park. You can learn about its interesting history while checking out a handful of the city’s remaining giant trees.

Amin Sadeghpour

For those applying to a research-based program at UBC: Take the time to thoroughly research potential supervisors. Go through their website and publications carefully so you really understand what they are working on. Every prospective student…

Jiin Yoo

When I first started graduate studies at UBC as an international student, I was nervous about my English and unfamiliarity with the Canadian academic system. Although eager to participate, I often doubted whether I had anything meaningful to…

Jenna Chisholm

Remember that not everyone’s path through graduate school is the same and try not to let the imposter syndrome get to you (admittedly, the imposter syndrome can be persistent – I experienced it while writing some of these answers!). We all come…