Advice from UBC Students

Louise Ramos

My advice would be to try and find balance between your academic life and personal life. I am definitely still guilty of letting my research take over my life, but it makes a difference to take the time to spend time with friends or do something...

Olivier Hinse

Do not be afraid to try stuff; errors are essential to learning. Some experiments will fail.

Jacquelina DaSilva

My advice to new graduate students is that it's important to balance academics and personal well-being. Graduate school can be intense, so setting clear boundaries is essential for long-term productivity. With less structure and more self-...

Oliver Tong

Allow yourself to spend time on your hobbies and interests outside of just research or classes. Research does not always go the way you want it to go, and having something else you like doing makes it a lot easier to stay positive even when that...

Alexandria Shaw

When looking for a research supervisor, you want to make sure they're the right fit for you! Also, talk with current lab members and make sure it’s a research environment that is suitable for you! Remember this is a huge commitment (especially if...

Connor Thompson

You need to learn to tolerate uncertainty and the open-ended nature of scientific research. Focus on small tasks and do something every day that moves you closer to your goals.

Caroline Stampliaka

New graduate students should embrace the adjustment period and enjoy the process. Although the transition to graduate school may initially feel overwhelming, immersing yourself in research or studies you are passionate about and developing...

Sabrina Cao

Starting grad school can feel pretty daunting, especially because it tends to feel more isolating than undergraduate programs. I would advise new graduate students to look for opportunities to get involved. There are lots of student groups that...

Andrew David Gunter

Research is very demanding, and it can be easy to focus on that entirely without enjoying the rest of what UBC and Vancouver have to offer. Make an effort to carve out some time for enjoying something completely unrelated to your studies; exploit...

Michelle Chang

For incoming students, I think the most important thing to do for yourself is to stay present and to submerge yourself in your research and studies. Graduate school is an endeavour of passion and love for your chosen subject, and you should revel...

Ariana Shivji

Try to get involved in your community! UBC has a lot of great extracurricular options and Vancouver has so many clubs and groups that you can join. Whether you get involved by joining a club on campus, becoming a member of your graduate student...

Kayla McIntyre

Breathe. Know your limits and advocate for yourself; you know yourself better than anyone else so remember to recharge and relax. It can often seem fast-paced, so take this opportunity to engage with your community and build meaningful...

Sangeetha Kasturi

Getting started in your program can be incredibly overwhelming at first; there are so many things you must do to get started with your project. Take some time to really go through your program’s resources (likely found on their website). For...

Emily Lawson

It can be difficult to set boundaries around work — there is always something left undone. This advice can be surprisingly difficult to follow, but: take days off. Truly off. Set working hours and try not to work outside of them. (I am breaking...

Serena Trang

My advice is to not let yourself be discouraged if things do not go according to plan. Research rarely pans out as you expect it to. Being able to adapt when things veer off path is an important skill to develop during your graduate studies. A...

Katherine Marchant

Make time for yourself and for friends. Graduate school can sometimes feel quite isolating, especially during thesis writing. It can feel unproductive, but spending some time relaxing and or socializing might be just what you need in order to...

Isabella DiBerardino

I would tell new graduate students to never doubt themselves or their abilities. It is really easy to get caught up and tell yourself that everyone you are working with is better than you, smarter than you or more experienced than you, but the...

Max Abercrombie

My advice would be don’t be afraid to ask for help and reach out to those who are more experienced around you. Grad school is filled with people who have already experienced the problems you are facing and are more than happy to help.

Nicholas Bartlett

Prioritize your mental health; maintaining good mental health can be a challenge at the best of times, but a graduate program can really exacerbate that challenge. Be patient and kind with yourself and learn what works best for you; poor mental...

Maggie Chong

The transition from undergraduate to graduate studies can be steep. I found the sudden intellectual freedom to explore large engineering questions on my own a bit daunting. However, my research group has a strong collaborative and can-do spirit....

Duncan Murray

I'm nobody to give advice (I've only just begun graduate school myself!), but I would say it's important to cultivate both humility and resilience as a graduate student. It can be painful to have your ideas proven wrong, but sharing your thoughts...

Charu Gupta

It can be very overwhelming when the program begins (sometimes even before), and there is pressure to try to do everything and more. However, it doesn't help to compare yourself with others — make the journey at your own pace in a way that's...

Sarah Ravoth

Ask lots of questions! You can save a ton of time and get really helpful and insightful answers from other students and faculty. Also, self-teaching and self-regulation are incredibly important skills in grad school. Understanding how you learn...

Gina McNeill

UBC has world class facilities and personnel, so I would encourage new students to take advantage of all the incredible opportunities a graduate degree here has to offer. I would also encourage folks to get involved in programs and initiatives...

Cassandra Andrew

My policy throughout my long academic career has always been to put your mental and physical health first. There will be times when this seems impossible, so even the small things count. The work will always be there, and you matter. Don't put up...

Wole Olayinka

Sometimes, the unexpected turns out to be the most rewarding. Whether it's discovering a new favourite spot on campus, finding that your courses offer something different than you anticipated, or connecting with others despite any natural...

Samuel Tobias

My advice is to challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone. Graduate school is an opportunity to grow intellectually and personally, so seek out mentors and friends who push your thinking and broaden your perspectives. Don’t be afraid...

Eric Lee

I guess there are three things that come to mind. First, “expect the unexpected”; be excited for every opportunity and every encounter, because you never know what’s going to happen the next second. Second, “seize the day”; every second counts,...

Saif Dababneh

1. The beginning is always harder, no matter how much experience you're coming in with. 2. Don't be afraid to ask questions and ask for help. Asking for help can save you a lot of time, research funds and hours of work. 3. Embrace the uncertainty...

Lauren Maier

No one really knows what they're doing - the best thing to do is find something you're passionate in and roll with it. The most important thing is to give yourself grace and the space to make mistakes and grow. Grad school is just as much about...

Emma Friesen

You can do it!!

Sierra Birthelmer

The start of graduate school can be quite overwhelming, and it's easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others. It's important to remind yourself of the unique strengths you bring and to remember that graduate school is about...

Claire Valeria Hein-Salvi

As a new graduate student myself, my advice would be to get involved in your program and department. I find that connecting to other students, faculty and staff has been essential in fostering a sense of community and for helping me navigate my...

Serena Formenti

Chose the game you are playing and stick to it. You will have different goals than your peers and professors. Catering your education and associated CV to your goals (e.g., research versus industry) is paramount to success in your next steps....

Edward Sun

Meet (and befriend) your fellow students. Graduate school is a great place to make friends who share your interests, values and beliefs.

Liam Murdock

My largest recommendation for new graduate students is to have a sense of agency. This opportunity to do research out here will truly be as great as you make it, so create goals and take actionable steps each day to reach them.

Chinenye Eze

I would say make the most of your years. Get involved in graduate leadership, clubs, make friends, visit the rose garden and the museums, take pictures and join faculty activities. It is so easy to be overwhelmed with school, work and sometimes...

Scott McNeil

Try your best to find a research project that you are passionate about. Research can be tough, but it is a lot easier when you find your project interesting!

Andrew Thompson

A successful time in graduate school is based on six relationships. Your first and most important relationship in grad school is that of you to your data. Be intimately aware of its shortcomings and constantly develop plans to address them. Stay...

Lauren Grant

Get to know your fellow classmates; they are your support system, cheerleaders and future colleagues.

Zoë Golay

Be prepared for failure - not every experiment, project or application is going to work out the way you want it to. But that’s ok! Failure is redirection, and so much of grad school is learning from mistakes. Additionally, choose a supervisor who...

Jessica Marques

Graduate studies are not always easy, but choosing to pursue something you love makes the challenges worthwhile. Doing what you love doesn't mean it won't be difficult, but it's that passion that will drive and motivate you to be the best you can...

Morgan Towriss

Grad school is hard, and having allies to help you along the way is essential. Firstly, choosing a supervisor who will be your ally is crucial; a good supervisor prioritizes mentorship, and your success is important regardless of how your goals...

Yu Tong (Emily) Tang

Joining student clubs is one of the best ways to meet new people. Come to Graduate Student Society events and meet other graduate students! It will make your studies here at UBC more enjoyable, I promise!

Olga Radivojevic

I am only in the first month of my graduate studies, so I feel like I should be the one asking for advice! Nevertheless, I would advise new graduate students to not be afraid to step out of their comfort zone, whether that's networking with...

Alexandra Rousseau

When doing graduate work, it's hard not to feel like your success is tied to your results in the lab, but if you can't control the outcome of a scientific experiment, then don't let it control you! I think it's probably a cliché to say, but a PhD...

Lexis Ly

Don't go through anything alone! If you're struggling with something, whether it be data analysis, writing, career directions or the many emotional challenges that come with research, there's probably someone in your lab or at UBC that can...

Errol Bowman

Don't be afraid to speak up and try new things; it's okay to make mistakes and learn from them.

Katherine Huerne

It's important to have good time management and communication skills. Make sure to be proactive in your studies and also in getting involved on campus. For graduate students, it's especially important to network and foster connections with other...

Kodee Bao

Join an intramurals team! It's fun to be active and meet new people.