Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies

Grad Students' Words of Wisdom

U of Guelph grad student Jonathan Khosravani

Jonathan Khosravani

Advice for someone considering grad school...

My advice to any prospective grad student is to not rush into graduate school without some self-reflection about your passions, what you love doing and what you would like to study. This is because grad school can be a challenging place but also incredibly rewarding as it teaches you how to read critically, learn systemically, and think deeply. As such, I invite potential students to engage in some introspection and self-reflection about your motivations, desires, and commitments as this is a weird (but wonderful) experience distinctive from both undergrad and from other jobs so its important to not rush into anything without thinking.

Ashley Millar

Ashley Millar

Words of Wisdom… 

If you come to Guelph, your program will be full of like-minded students who have the same passion that you do for your research. The environment you will be in is the most supportive environment you can have for when you are pursuing something that you love.  

Bhoomi Gandhi

Bhoomi Gandhi

Advice for funding your studies...

Professors at the University of Guelph are exemplary in their professional acumen. Over and above this, there are plenty of opportunities, like Teaching Assistantship (GTA) and Research Assistantship (RA), for an international graduate student to help fund their studies. 

U of Guelph Political Science MSc student Taelor Reid

Taelor Reid

Words of wisdom for prospective grad students...

While it's true that you should work hard to reach your goal, burnout is real. Allow yourself to take breaks when needed; take a nap, play video games, and laugh at some memes. Life will feel less annoying.

U of Guelph grad student Scott Moore

Scott Moore

Advice for prospective grad students...

I heard this quote when I first started my Master's: "Your project at the end is not going to be the same as when you started". Although your overall deliverables/outcomes might stay the same, how it gets done is very likely to shift. Those who are adaptive to change, take proactive measures to complete tasks timely, and are willing to go outside of their comfort zone will be the most resilient.

Chelsey Tremblay

Chelsey Tremblay

Being a Graduate Student at Guelph… 

It is so crazy and will likely be one of the busiest times of your life, but it will also be one of the most rewarding experiences. 

Portrait of graduate student Tracy Bento (MSc, Marketing & Consumer Studies) in the atrium of MacDonald Stewart Hall at the University of Guelph

Tracy Bento

Advice for Prospective Grad Students… 

I would tell prospective students that pursuing graduate studies at UofG is a good choice, as they provide students with the opportunity to learn in a classroom, along with research opportunities. The research opportunities give you an opportunity to put the knowledge you learned in the classroom into a real-life situation. The research that you will pursue will add valuable information to the academic and industry community.

U of Guelph Integrative Biology PhD candidate Aleksandra Dolezal

Aleksandra Dolezal

Advice for Prospective Grad Students… 

Volunteering and trying out different career experiences is essential to knowing what you like/what you are good at. I often volunteer my time to entomological societies or writing blog posts for the public so I can gain more skills in scientific communication. Practicing your skills is what helps build them up.  

Kamala Srinivasan

Kamala Srinivasan

Why I Chose Guelph...

I applied to the University of Guelph because of its renowned reputation for its innovative research. 

Stephanie Croyle

Stephanie Croyle

Words of advice...

Guelph will provide you with a supportive and stimulating academic environment. My advisors provided me with the freedom to explore my research interests and the support and mentorship to help me become a better scientist. Their positive attitudes and confidence in my abilities allowed me to achieve success in my research goals. There are loads of clubs one could join (e.g. qualitative journal club, welfare and behavior group, dairy journal club, graduate student social committees, art clubs, etc.). In addition, my graduate program provided me with a safe and interactive social environment (e.g. intramural sports, city leagues, department socials). 

For my non-native English-speaking friends, there is a plethora of support from the international office! In addition, the library provides lots of writing and technical support!