Advice from UBC Students

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.

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...

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...

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,...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Virginia (Ginny) Pichler

All new graduate students should know that the experience is not always linear, not always optimal, and not always illustrious. There may be longer-than-desirable stretches of hurdles and pitfalls, but that is something we all face. It's the...

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...

Caitlyn Yates

My first piece of advice is to not be afraid to ask. Throughout my policy career and now, and particularly as I started to study and learn about potential PhD programs, I emailed everyone. Students, potential advisors, folks who had decided not...

Nikola Surjanovic

Join a club (or start a new one) and meet new people. Every new connection is valuable. Also, with respect to research, try to expose yourself to as many research areas as possible to get a better feeling of what it is that really interests you....

Elyn Rowe

Choose a research project that you're interested in, and a mentor that can support you both intellectually, and through the bumpy transition from a very defined undergraduate degree into graduate school. Grad school is tough, and imposter...

Daljeet Chahal

My advice probably applies more to those in medical school, but I think it is very important to find an area or topic that drives you, something you cannot help but think about. Keep an open mind – you do not necessarily need to do what everyone...

Pablo Gonzalez Moctezuma

Connect as soon as possible with senior students that might want to orient you and mentor you through your degree. If you want to do something, ask the community, you will always find someone who's thinking the same and UBC is full of very cool...

Alexa Norton

Ask meaningful research questions; be connected to and grounded in the communities you conduct research in, and always be a humble learner.

Shayda Swann

Take all the time you have to find a great supervisor. I spoke to several potential supervisors before choosing to work with Dr. Murray and Dr. Cote, and I couldn't be more grateful for my pickiness. Taking the time to find a supervisor who not...

Jem Arnold

Take your time to find a topic of study that you love. Motivating yourself to do the hard work won’t be as difficult when you are genuinely curious about and invested in the topic. Reach out to colleagues, peers, and mentors. Take advantage of...

Callista Ottoni

You are never too old or too young to start graduate studies. As a parent of a young child, I also want to share that you can pursue an advanced degree while raising a family. It is challenging, and I would recommend establishing your support...

Trevor Goodyear

Make sure to find supportive supervisors and a research topic you are passionate about. Try new things, make friends, and take the time to care for yourself and to have fun alongside your studies. And learn how to say no to things and to...

Xinyi Shen

Get started by talking to some alumni or student ambassadors. It is extremely helpful for you to plan your studies wisely.
Graduate school experience is much more than taking courses. Take some time to explore other resources that...
Read More

Halina Deptuck

First, prioritize your mental health. Things can get busy and stressful as a graduate student but making time to take care of yourself can go a long way in helping you succeed in grad school. Also, make an effort to create a community for...

Durjoy Baidya

Undoubtedly, graduate study is a very challenging path. But, you don't need to walk alone. Feel free to talk to your supervisors and peers when necessary. Take full advantage of U-Pass and enjoy the natural beauty of BC.

Laura Werbitsky

Don’t be afraid to ask questions! And attend free seminars offered by your department or any department or sessions offered by the Library, the Centre for Writing and Scholarly Communication (CWSC), etc. I attend talks by UBC Sustainability Reads...

Mirta Roncagalli

Grad school can be challenging and, from time to time, overwhelming. Try to make time for your own way to decompress and talk to your peers! You will realize you are not alone and that all grad students are in the same boat!

Ahmed Sherwali

My advice for new graduate students is to set clear goals by understanding what you want to achieve and why, make sure you don't forget to grow your network through involvement in different activities, and lastly, try to keep your career options...

Sasha McDowell

I would say be patient when learning new skills and to remember that there’s always an adjustment period when starting a new program. When I first arrived at UBC, I was very excited to meet people from different backgrounds and ethnicities, learn...

Oguzhan Can

Take the time to play, and do other things than research. Try to work on ideas that you find exciting and curious about. Graduate school is a great time to explore new topics. Don't lose your focus but keep an eye out for interesting problems and...

Bev Larssen

Don’t forget to take time for yourself to re-energize and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Whether that is playing outside or getting involved in an extra-curricular activity that you enjoy, Vancouver has a lot to offer.

Xing Zhang

There are ups and downs during grad school. Never lose confidence in yourself and try to keep motivated by your enthusiasm for your research. Also, it’s always beneficial to talk with people from different areas.

Robin Newhouse

Remember to live life while you’re going through this challenging degree. Graduate school is not without its serious difficulties and it’s easy to let the complex work, deadlines, and setbacks get to you throughout your time as a graduate student...

Emmanuel Kwarah

UBC has diverse resources to aid you to succeed in your graduate program so don't hesitate to make good use of them. Attend conferences, workshops, career fairs, and other UBC events to socialize and make connections. Finally, you may feel...

Tomiyosi Bola

My advice for new graduate students would be to take advantage of the amazing resources and support available for students on campus and to maximize every opportunity that comes in form of training and workshops. The UBC CTLT has amazing events...

Nancy Sunday

As an aspiring public health professional, take advantage of the rich Global Health curriculum and the prestige of a world-class and socio-culturally diverse learning space. Reach out to professors you admire and ask for an informational...

Isaac Ohene Gyan

Academic work can be at times overwhelming, but UBC staff is there to support you. It is a community on its own so, do not live in it in isolation.

Abiodun Ilemobayo

Remember to always stay positive. Graduate school is very lonely, so try your best to stay motivated and live in the moment

Abigail Amoakoa Okyere

Graduate studies is more about what you make of it. Build sustainable connections with both faculty and your course mates. That definitely would take you far!

Yinghong (Amy) Wu

Be open to new experiences, and don't be too hard on yourself. Many graduate students hold themselves to such high standards, but remember to mindfully take in this unique time in your life.

Bingxin Zhou

It is important to sharpen your skills in college, but we should keep in mind that study is only a part of life. Enjoy yourself beyond your research projects and courses, do not put too much pressure on yourself and develop your own hobbies....

Marian Orhierhor

Be prepared for opportunities and explore all opportunities that come your way. It is important to network and form life-long friendships. You can do this by attending career fairs, networking events, professional workshops, luncheons, and...

Pan Deng

Being confident and seize any opportunity to stretch yourself. If you are afraid of failure and let opportunities slide through your fingers, you might lose the chance of developing valuable skills and experiences by staying in your comfort zone...