Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies

Grad Students' Words of Wisdom

Benjamin Hayden Wildlife Biology

Benjamin Hayden

U of Guelph Master of Wildlife Biology student Benjamin Hayden

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

TAKE initiative. REACH out. LEAD boldly. This program affords you opportunities and connections that you will not receive anywhere else and if you take advantage of these you will become “that” person. “That” person who helped you, “that” person who was proud of you, and “that” person who you wanted to be.

Portrait of graduate student Jeff Reichheld

Jeff Reichheld

Advice for prospective grad students...

Be prepared. Look around first and then come here. Do your homework when you're looking at programs and remember that you stand a real chance of working with OMAFRA and OMAFRA connected researchers here. They really are the best.

U of G Criminology & Criminal Justice Policy MA Candidate Emma Kelly

Emma Kelly

Advice for Prospective Grad Students… 

Take advantage of as many opportunities as you can in your undergrad! There are so many ways to improve your skills and make new connections.

Portrait of Rhiannon Digweed

Rhiannon Digweed

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

Have really good time management! Being ahead on a project will do you wonders when deadlines start to creep up. And don't be afraid to make mistakes and not be entirely sure what you want to accomplish from the start. Faculty are there to help and guide you on your journey but you must also be willing to be challenged and accept productive criticism.

Portrait of graduate student Danielle Julien-Wright (PhD, Population Medicine) in the Albert A. Thornbrough Building, University of Guelph

Danielle Julien-Wright

Advice for Prospective Grad Students… 

Identify your passion and reason(s) for wanting to become a graduate student. Write them down, type it up, post it large and visibly on your desk or wherever you do your work so that it remains a constant reminder of why you are doing what you are doing and will motivate you through the hard times that every graduate student has and does go through, so that you can always see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Shiona Glass-Kaastra

Shiona Glass-Kaastra

About the campus and food...

You can walk from one end of campus to the other easily within 10 minutes, and only have to cross one major road if you’re headed east/west (none if travelling north/south).  The arboretum is absolutely beautiful, and a great place to go for a lunch time walk on those days that you need an escape from the office/lab. The cafeterias are excellent, and cater to every type of eater. There are always vegan and vegetarian options available, and everything is labeled with potential allergens.

Charlie Keown-Stoneman

Charlie Keown-Stoneman

About Student Services...

“As a U of G student I have taken part in many intramural sports including soccer, softball, football, hockey and volleyball. I have had great experiences, both as an intramural player and captain. The availability of such a wide variety of athletic opportunities for students is a great addition to the university.”

Portrait of Danielle Nowosad

Danielle Nowosad

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

I have found success in graduate studies by having a solid group of people supporting me. Academia can be daunting and difficult, but having friends and colleagues who are like-minded, engaged, and generally supportive has made my journey possible. Pick your department and supervisor with care, seize opportunities, explore new and old interests, maintain hobbies outside of research, and most of all: stay curious.