Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies

Grad Students' Words of Wisdom

Portrait of graduate student Megan Brasher

Megan Brasher

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

If you're struggling, don't be afraid to reach out.

U of Guelph Integrative Biology grad student Kayley Head

Kayley Head

Advice for a prospective grad student:

My advice for someone who would like to follow in my footsteps is that if you have a passion, have the science mould around your passion as opposed to moulding your passion around the science. For example, my main passion in science is aquatic Species at Risk conservation and ecology, while prior to my thesis I had no interest in molecular biology. It was only when my passion could only be obtained through the lens of molecular biology that DNA became exciting to me!

Also, I recommend one to take every opportunity as it presents itself and to continuously seek out new opportunities. Every relevant job, course, and volunteer work that I have had in my academic career has provided connections and experience for the next opportunity. If you work hard and are passionate about what you do, your day job feels a lot less like work ;)

Headshot of University of Guelph Graduate student Jamie Armstrong

Jamie Armstrong

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

Try your best to reach out to faculty and make connections with people who share the same passions as you. Everyone at the University of Guelph is happy to share their expertise and provide guidance, and those connections are very valuable in expanding your knowledge and reaching your goals.

Katie Kroeze

Advice for prospective grad students...

My student philosophy is that anyone can learn anything. However, to succeed and enjoy your graduate school education you need to create good relationships with your mentors and those you look up to and get involved in student life by joining things that resonate with you whether that be student councils, clubs, intramural teams, etc!

Mychal-Ann Hayhoe

Mychal-Ann Hayhoe

Advice for future grad students...

Figure out what motivates you, what you’re passionate about and what will drive you now and in the future. Start talking and engaging with people around campus. Go out of your way to get involved. It will pay off! The University of Guelph is full of passionate and interesting people and your attempts to connect with them can create opportunities you wouldn’t expect.

Graduate student Trust Katsande (MSc, Plant Agriculture) in the atrium of the Albert A. Thornbrough Building, University of Guelph

Trust Katsande

About My Advisor… 

My advisor was more like my mentor. He is very open, honest and helpful, which made me very comfortable to express my ideas and also to discuss different issues concerning my academic life.

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!

Jennifer Jolie

Jennifer Jolie

Words of wisdom for prospective grad students...

If you’re considering pursuing post-secondary education but maybe aren’t sure you can do it, especially if you are a first-generation university student, don’t count yourself out. It’s easy to talk yourself out of it because you may not think your voice matters or that you have anything important to contribute—but nothing could be further from the truth. Your own unique life experience and perspective will be your biggest source of strength and learning. No one in the world thinks or creates things like you do! 

Kayla Snyder portrait

Kayla Snyder

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

Choose a supervisor who makes you excited about your project. There will be times when your project does not go as planned and reminders of that enthusiasm and why you are doing the work are crucial to continuing through the hurtles.

Justine Hobbins

Justine Hobbins

Words of advice for prospective grad students...

Workshops offered through the library and OpenEd are so beneficial to help with your research goals and teaching tips/tricks. Definitely be sure to check these out!