Advice from UBC Students | Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

Person with long dark hair and blue shirt

Gillian Savage

It is easy to get sucked in completely to your research but make sure to make time to do fun things too! Having a good work life balance is important to avoid burnout.

Yuveshen Mooroogen

Get enough sleep! Chronic sleep deprivation is the devil: it tempts you with power, but it will steal your soul.

person sitting outdoors near a waterfall wearing a black shirt with a brown beard

Kevin Tyson

Congrats on starting this next big step in your journey! Grad school can feel like a lot at times, but staying engaged in class, asking questions when you're unsure, and taking the time to really understand concepts outside of lectures will go a…

Jocelyn Coupland

While studying, don't forget to explore. The bus lines can take you all the way into Langley! There is much to see even just on campus. Check out the museums and the multiple libraries UBC has and drink in the local art. There are jaw-dropping…

person with grey sweater and light background smiling

Billy Guo

My advice to new grad students is to find a research area that truly interests you and makes you curious. Enjoy the process of discovery, don’t think of it as just work, but as an exciting journey where you get to explore big questions and learn…

Vanessa Johnson

Don't hesitate to seek guidance, ask questions and take advantage of the diverse resources available at UBC. It's also important to stay organized and set clear, achievable goals to keep yourself motivated and on track. Lastly, always prioritize…

Gizem Guryil

My advice for new graduate students is to find a balance between work and personal life and to take time for themselves. Grad school can be intense, and it helps to have a support system and stay connected to what motivates you. It took me a…

Liam Buchart

Get excited about learning everything! I have found that in many cases, we as graduate students have to focus on our depth of knowledge on our chosen topic. However, your breadth of knowledge is just as important and often is what leads to…

person with dark hair and red butterflie woven into their hair

Aleria McKay

For distance students, I would recommend taking the time to develop and get in the habit of following a schedule for yourself. Online courses take a different type of motivation and self discipline, and creating a schedule for myself that…

Kenny Chiu

Do not hesitate to step outside your comfort zone and explore new opportunities! You never know where life takes you, and with some luck, you may very well discover a new passion. Also, get involved in your department and build connections with…

Photo of Rodrgio Alejandro Sierra Rosales

Rodrigo Alejandro Sierra Rosales

To my fellow international students, I would invite you to give yourself time to adapt. It took me time to feel comfortable with the language and diverse cultures in Vancouver and UBC. This included understanding the academic culture and knowing…

Razieh Sadat Banijamali

Graduate school can be challenging, and research can sometimes be difficult, but staying motivated and disciplined is key to pushing through. It is important to seek support, stay open to learning, and avoid comparing your progress to others.…

person wearing white hooded sweatshirt outside in the snow

Kimberly Tsz Ching Wong

Follow what excites you. Research can be tough, but if you genuinely love what you're studying, it makes the challenges way more rewarding. Also, consistency is key—building good work habits early on makes a huge difference. And don’t be afraid…

Magnus Chan

Ah, the classic interview question for all grad students! While I’ve heard the whole gamut of advice for incoming trainees when I started years ago, now that I’m on the tail end of completing my PhD, I think one piece of advice reigns true above…

Brittany Pousett

You cannot do it alone! It is critical to build a community that can support you throughout your journey. Also, one of the best things I have done (since my undergraduate studies) is to take one day off every week where I do not do any work. It…

Jay Hilsden

Get involved in your department and make sure your professors know who you are, ideally for good reasons.

Sadie Lye

There are many opportunities to hear talks from and engage with people in and outside of your discipline; make use of these opportunities because you do not know what will come out of it. Also, do not be afraid to reach out to experts, other…

Grace Melchers

For myself and many others I've talked to, grad school seems like a bit of a mystery a lot of the time, especially when you are starting out. There is no complete handbook to graduate school, and everyone experiences it differently. Make sure to…

Johanna Bock

Oh, where to start! Probably the most important one: ask for support. Be considerate of others’ time but also don’t waste your entire week on a problem that someone else in your lab solved already. Also, get into strategic planning. Even though…

Ayodele Oloko

Foster self-appreciation and enthusiasm for your academic pursuits. Seek opportunities to engage with scholars from diverse disciplines worldwide. This cross-field exchange will enrich your research, expand your perspectives and potentially…

AnnaMaria Zubieta

I believe balance is key to being successful during graduate studies. While you should be prepared to put in a lot of hard work, it is also important to find time for rest and relaxation. I would highly encourage new graduate students to explore…

Stephen Johnston

Work hard in school and also in life — get outside and enjoy it!

Milos Simovic

Buy a bicycle as soon as possible, assuming you don’t move here with one. Check out Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace to find a bicycle that you like and buy it. Vancouver has some of the best bicycle infrastructure in all of North America, and…

Valerie Zimmermann

My advice for new graduate students is to develop confidence in themselves to share their ideas, opinions and goals throughout their graduate studies journey.

Stef Atkinson

Create a realistic schedule for yourself. Grad school is unique in that you have so much more control over your time than you do as an undergraduate student. For some people, that can be difficult, though. Be honest about the hours of the day you…

Zelyn Lee

My advice for new graduate students is to take time at the start of your program to explore all the opportunities and resources the university offers. Once your workload picks up, it’s easy to miss out! Be sure to check out health and wellness…

Stephanie Xie

Finding balance! Make time for self-care and relaxation, and surround yourself with a support group of peers, friends and mentors who can provide encouragement and guidance.

Ana Mucalica

Evaluate your reasons for pursuing a graduate degree. If you believe you’re doing it for the right reasons, stay persistent — it will definitely be worth it in the end.

Ryan Yeung

While it can be easy to be sucked into your own research, try to take the time to meet others in and outside of your graduate program. UBC brings together brilliant individuals from diverse backgrounds, so there is a lot to learn from talking…

Christina Kouvousis

Take the time to check in with yourself and reflect on how you are feeling throughout your program, especially to remind yourself of why you pursued graduate studies in the first place. It helps quiet the self-doubt and provides motivation when…

Emily Yeh

A quote that is resonating through my grad journey so far is “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” I find planning is super important! Whether you are planning the day, an experiment, a meeting, a presentation, future plans/goals, etc., it's…

Connor Durfy

Follow your passions and interests through your research! While the path through graduate school may seem long, if you continue to fuel your curiosity along the way, you'll remain driven and excited along your journey.

Mitchell Demchuk

You will likely fail many times before achieving success. It is important to realize research can be extremely difficult and to stay motivated/disciplined when things are looking rough. Also, don't forget to have fun while you are here and make…

Cassi Sauer

Graduate studies can sometimes feel all consuming. When your studies become overwhelming and exhaustion sets in, take a moment to take a step back and reflect on your broader life goals. It is easy to get lost in day-day tasks, but focusing on…

Cariad Knight

I have a lot of advice, but I know it might not resonate with everyone, so my too long didn't read advice: get involved and find your community, whether it's within your program, at UBC or in Vancouver. Take advantage of UBC's many resources —…

Nicolas Viens

Take as many opportunities as you can. Get involved in extracurricular projects (research, policy work, etc.) that will help you find your interests and career preferences. Find a good supervisor who can be your mentor and help you connect with…

Jenevieve (Jen) Hyslop

Some advice I received and found helpful is that your graduate school experience is what you make it. It is up to you to find and pursue opportunities that align with your goals and passions. Not every opportunity will be a good one for you, and…

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…

Viviana Shiffman

Graduate school is a new experience, and you’ll face challenges that are different from what you've encountered before — and that’s completely normal. A key aspect of grad school is learning to tackle new problems and develop solutions. Take it…

Bronte Johnston

Graduate school can be very overwhelming at times due to the large number of things that need to get done. To help keep focused and motivated, I find it helpful to break things down into feasible tasks I can accomplish in one day, and then take…

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.

Jake Felker

For new graduate students, my advice is to embrace learning and don’t be afraid to question everything, no matter how basic or hard it may seem. Grad school can be challenging, but it’s also a time to grow both academically and personally. Also,…

Alyssa Izatt

When you’re starting out, do what you can to build connections with other grad students. Friendship and community are essential parts of getting through grad school! Also, getting a grasp on time management and not overcommitting yourself are…

Cal Rosete

Planning is part of the process! Sitting down to lay out experiments, work out the little details, and understand the protocol is just as productive as doing the experiment. Rushing into experiments can be a recipe for disaster if you don’t take…

Muhammad Adnan

Starting a graduate program can feel overwhelming at first. It requires a shift in mindset, focusing on research rather than just completing courses. My advice to new graduate students is to take your time adjusting to the new environment, stay…

Tamara Mihic

Coming back to school after working for a number of years has been amazing. I am so grateful for every learning opportunity and opportunities to make connections with others conducting research within my field. I recommend to new graduate…

Yao Zhang

You read Google reviews before going to a restaurant, so the same due diligence should be done before choosing a lab. Make sure to talk to current graduate students in your prospective lab to get a first-hand review of what you might be getting…

Carraugh Brouwer

I’ve found that meeting people in your department outside of your research group is really important. Interacting with other members of the department can be a fruitful source of new ideas for research, and they may even help you out if you run…

Brianna Bristow

I believe there's a common misconception that you need to have your exact career path determined before pursuing graduate studies. In my experience, that's not the case. Grad school opens the doors to many future possibilities and gives you the…

Amie Orsetti

Even though starting graduate school can be really busy and stressful, setting aside time to do things you love or that help you relax is important. If you can connect with supportive people in your life, like family and friends, it can also help…