Advice from �������� Students

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...

Kiana Yazdani

Do not begin graduate school simply because you are unsure of what else to do; start it with clear intention and approach every decision thoughtfully and purposefully. Select a graduate supervisor who aligns with your needs and goals and who...

Gina McNeill

�� 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,...

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....

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 �� 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 �� 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.

Noah Brittain

Graduate studies is a difficult process, and you'll have many challenges along the way; however, finding a support system can make it a lot easier. I would really recommend trying to find some community, whether that's lab mates, other graduate...

Elijah Foran

For new graduate students, especially those from marginalized backgrounds, I would say: don’t be afraid to take up space. Academia can be an intimidating place to navigate at times, but your experiences and perspectives are valuable. Find your...

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...

Woman wearing a white hijab standing outside with trees in background

Zeba Khan

My advice is to give yourself permission to try, even if the chances of getting the result you are hoping for feel low. As a young scholar, I often find myself second-guessing whether my ideas are worth pursuing. But the truth is, I will never...

Margot Gunning

Go slow and set boundaries. There is no timeline or rush to finish grad school before a certain age, and carving out dedicated and protected space for personal flourishing will increase your enjoyment for your program. My other piece of advice is...

Man wearing blue t-shirt with flower patterns

Kai Jacobsen

Community is key. Having a supportive network of fellow grad students is important to have people who understand the unique stressors and politics of academia, but having friends outside the university is also important in staying grounded and...

Woman wearing black jacket standing in front of blurry tree background

Xue Qi (Amy) Wang

My advice for new graduate students is to embrace both the academic and personal aspects of your journey. Connect with peers, mentors, and advisors to build a strong support network. Manage your time by setting realistic goals and balancing your...

Woman wearing blue blazer and dress standing next to the sign of the Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health

Tetiana Poliakova

Don't hesitate to ask for help! No matter how trivial you think your question or issue might be, chances are, someone else has faced the same struggle. Most people are more than willing to assist, but they won't know you need support unless you...

Pardis Semnani

Starting graduate school, like any other new experience, can be challenging. As one delves into their area of research, they not only learn more about their field but also about what kind of researcher they want to be. This makes their academic...

Jorden Hendry

Lean on your peers in your program! Many programs have cohort-based models, offering plenty of opportunities to collaborate and learn with and from your classmates. Everyone comes from diverse backgrounds, and each person brings unique...

Women wearing black blazer and shirt with red dots

Hebah Hussaina

When I started my Master's degree, the best piece of advice I was given by a mentor was that a graduate degree is not a sprint; it's a marathon. Because of this, ensuring you prioritize your mental health and well-being is so, so important....

Genevieve Bonnor

Get out there! Join clubs, start a journal club in your lab, and don't be afraid to ask others for collaboration opportunities or help with any questions.

Jamie Kwon

Cultivate a network of support, not just for academic collaboration, but also for the much-needed coffee breaks and adventures. Don't underestimate the power of a good conversation with someone outside your field—it can spark innovative ideas and...

Raha AtashPa

For new graduate students embarking on this transformative journey, my advice is threefold:

1. Embrace Interdisciplinarity: Open yourself to the wealth of knowledge that exists beyond the boundaries of your chosen...

Michael Sekatchev

When you first start grad school, say yes to everything. Explore as many directions as you possibly can, academic and otherwise. And definitely outside of your department. This is especially true if you've spent your undergraduate degree working...

Stéphanie La France

Explore to your hearts' content, read outside of your field, make mistakes, be clumsy, and be compassionate toward yourself as you learn and develop as a student. Cultivate your 'why': why are you here doing what you are doing? Finally, remember...

Colton Strong

Shop around for the right project-supervisor-environment fit and take advantage of the MSc to PhD fast track! Maybe more important than your thesis project will be the training environment that you are in, including your immediate supervisor, but...

Jackson Moore

Think early on about what you want and need from a research supervisor. While it’s important to find a research project that you’re passionate about, it’s arguably just as important to find a supervisor that meets your learning style and will...

��������