Passion and curiosity is what drives my research, success and sense of purpose. Find something that interests you, ask questions and pursue answers. My passion for the scientific process and for animal welfare and behaviour is why I come to work every day excited and driven. We all have something unique to bring to this world and if you have a passion for research show that to professors who do work you are interested in. Skills and techniques can easily be taught but passion and curiosity is the drive that makes an excellent scientist in any field.
Presently, I live in Ridgetown as this is where my research is conducted. Although Ridgetown does not have much infrastructure in comparison to the City of Guelph, it has large acres of land for research in agriculture. I sometimes enjoy a tour on the vast land with various research work going on. Personally, I think Ridgetown may be the town with the kindest people I have met, and I know the same is true for the City of Guelph.
Life as a graduate student at UofG is always exciting! Every day brings new experiences, learning opportunities, and challenges. One day, I could be conducting lab work, another day I could be attending classes and finishing assignments, while the next day I could be running sensory tests. At the same time, I am surrounded by smart, curious, and enthusiastic students who are all actively looking for ways to improve life.
Guelph was actually one of my top choices for my undergraduate degree. Having chosen a different university to do my undergrad, when applying for graduate school, I knew I wanted to attend Guelph to continue my studies! The CCJP program appealed to my criminology background and my work experience in the criminal justice system.. I knew this was the program for me!
If you are considering graduate studies, I suggest that you take your research interests and see who on campus is pursuing something that align with them. Given the wide range of topics and fields of study here, I would not be surprised to see at least one other individual or faculty member engaged in some research that closely mirrors the interests of the student.
The Department of Family Relations and Applied Nutrition at UofG has a strong, positive reputation and a faculty that supports their students to excel. I was interested in completing my doctoral degree in the Family Relations and Human Development program as I would have the opportunity to explore family relationships from an applied lens and explore the relational dynamics of family members who support children with disabilities.
There is wealth of resources available for graduate students on campus. I believe the experiences during graduate studies will be one of the best experiences of any student’s life. However, you have to be prepared for things to not always go perfectly; sometimes you will find the workload overwhelming, but the key is not to lose hope. Things get better with time, and there are always resources available to help you. If you feel stressed, take a break and walk around our beautiful campus!
If I were to speak with someone considering Guelph, I would tell them that although it may not be a very lucrative venture, it is an incredibly fulfilling experience. Additionally, for those thinking about diving into graduate studies but are unsure about the difficulty or commitment, always remember: a little drive and determination can go a long way!
