Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies

Grad Students' Words of Wisdom

B&W portrait of Bob Wiseman

Bob Wiseman

Words of Wisdom...

When an airline asks you to sign a waiver for your guitar just scribble quickly in hard to read handwriting "no thank you" and hand it back. Later if they damage your equipment you can claim you did not understand why they handed that waiver to you.

Bob Wiseman Online

Kathy Jacyniak

Kathy Jacyniak

My Experience as a Grad Student at U of G...

Guelph offers great graduate programs for students that may or may not have research experience. What I have found is that faculty members are very willing to meet with students, and are available to talk about their research and to provide insight about what graduate school encompasses. In addition, getting to meet with current graduate students to talk about what their research is about is definitely an option here at the University of Guelph. I have found that many students are afraid to contact faculty members, but I found it to be very easy and helpful to reach out to the Faculty at Guelph. The University of Guelph definitely has the support system to help students get of glimpse of what graduate school has to offer. 

U of G Grad Student Mostafa Elkurdy

Mostafa Elkurdy

Advice for prospective grad students...

I found being in a graduate university environment to be very beneficial for having access to experts on many topics. I would encourage new graduate students to not be afraid to reach out to various professors and other graduate students that can help guide you and offer advice.

Profile of graduate student Matthew Rudland (MSc, Environmental Sciences) in the atrium of Mac Donald Stewart Hall at the University of Guelph

Matthew Rudland

How Will Your Research Improve Life?

My research dealt with using biostimulants as environmentally friendly alternatives to fungicides, for preventing dollar spot disease, which is one of the most prevalent disease that affects turfgrass on golf courses worldwide. My research will hopefully help to identify species and cultivars of turfgrass that respond positively to various biostimulant applications and therefore have a lower disease incidence. This will potentially allow golf course managers to use fewer fungicides in the future by switching to biostimulant applications, which will reduce the environmental impact that they have on the surrounding ecosystems.

Portrait of graduate student Tselmuun Tserenkhuu

Tselmuun Tserenkhuu

Advice for Prospective Students...

Stay focused on your research but do not forget to make some time for your other active interests.

Portrait of graduate student Kaitlyn Lawson

Kaitlyn Lawson

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

Pursue research that you are passionate about and that inspires you. Graduate studies are a lot of work and can be difficult, and if you're not passionate about your research then you probably won't enjoy it. That being said, don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and experience new things, whether that be academically or personally. Also, don't be afraid to get involved, some of my greatest experiences at the University of Guelph have been outside of the classroom.

Jonathan Samson

Jonathan Samson

Other Thoughts...

“The only limits on your research are those which you impose yourself. It truly is a free thinking environment.”

Portrait of graduate student Grace Teng

Grace Teng

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

Pick an advisor you work well with! Or make sure to meet your advisor before committing to doing grad studies with him/her.

Angela Wilson

Angela Wilson

About Student Services… 

The library is full of resources to help with writing and research, and the staff are always helpful. 

Alex Robinson

Alex Robinson

About the City...

“I love Guelph for the downtown area especially the farmer’s market, the pubs, and all of the great outlets for outdoor activities. There’s a strong culture in Guelph that creates a strong community feel to the city.”