Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies

Grad Students' Words of Wisdom

Portrait of Toochukwu Urama

Toochukwu Kingsley Urama

Toochukwu's advice for someone considering grad school

Approach every challenge and opportunity with an open mind and unwavering determination. Graduate school is more than just gaining knowledge; it’s about realizing your true potential, pushing your boundaries, and turning your passion into something real.

Portrait of Rebecca Gordon

Rebecca Gordon

Advice for prospective grad students...

I feel lucky to have been able to be involved in many different projects at the University of Guelph. My advice to future grad students is to get involved in as many different things as you can and to not be afraid to reach out to people. A lot of the fun in a graduate degree is being able to collaborate and work with lots of different people. 

U of Guelph Food Safety & Quality Assurance MSc candidate Andrew Peeples

Andrew Peeples

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

Make sure your decisions are based on a meaningful purpose. The phrase “What you put in is what you get out” is what I return to repeatedly. It applies to you as a person, the work you do, and the food you make. You need purpose to make anything of consequence happen. It’s been over a decade since I made my first decisions to enter the field of food safety, and I’m even more committed to it today than I was then.

Rachana Devkota

Rachana Devkota

About the City of Guelph… 

People are very friendly and kind, and respect each other's culture. I felt like I was at a home away from home. There is not the rush and noise that you find in most cities. Life is…perfect here.

Chelsey Gerrard

Chelsey Gerrard

Why I chose U of G...

I chose to study at the University of Guelph because I liked the friendly, community-based attitude here. After completing my undergraduate degree at Guelph I knew this is where I wanted to complete my master's.

Portrait of graduate student Katherine Keary

Katherine Keary

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

Don't be afraid to reach out and ask potential advisors about their research and if they have any graduate positions available.

Portrait of graduate student Keely Kavcic

Keely Kavcic

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

I would tell any prospective grad students to visit the campuses they are applying to, and talk to students in their program(s) of interest! A major factor in my staying at Guelph was the campus community, and knowing that I would be supported throughout my studies in not only my academics, but also through the social atmosphere on campus.

Portrait of graduate student Joshua Salamun

Joshua Salamun

Advice for Prospective Students...

The faculty profiles page, on the Food Science Department website, is very useful to help find research projects that you may be interested in. Do not hesitate to email or talk directly to the faculty members. They are always welcoming, and can even help you apply for scholarship funding! 

Headshot of University of Guelph Graduate student Olubiyi (Mark) Ariba

Olubiyi (Mark) Ariba

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

Always ask for help. When in doubt, ask; When not in doubt, ask. Enrolment in graduate courses can be very small, and grad life can sometimes feel isolating; so, try to form great bonds with other grad students. You have a lot in common! Try to take some time off to have fun, and when you inevitably encounter students pulling a tractor in September, do the opposite of what I did; and be cool! If you can, participate in the 3-minute thesis competition (3MT); it's a lot of fun!