If you are unsure about completing a graduate degree in the future, don't be afraid to reach out to professors to ask about undergraduate projects or volunteer opportunities. They can definitely help you gain insight as to whether completing a Master's/PhD is the right path for you, and also help you develop essential skills that will be useful in both school as well as the workplace.
In addition to providing a stable funding guarantee, the department and college offered a number of additional travel and research funding opportunities that contributed substantially to the quality of my work.
Being a graduate student at the University of Guelph is a lot of work, but it is very rewarding. My schedule is even more flexible now than when I was an undergraduate student, which is very important because you have to make time for everything. There are classes and seminars, research, meetings, Teaching Assistantship(s), mentoring, and readings happening constantly. If you plan things well, you can get involved on campus or have a social life, too!
Graduate studies are not to be taken lightly, and choosing the lab, department, and institution are just as important as the research itself. The U of G supports their graduate students in a way that some larger universities don't, and an emphasis is placed on graduating well-rounded, critically-thinking students that will be able to succeed in whatever profession they choose.
As a graduate student it is important to be flexible and adaptable to change as you work through your degree. Becoming a graduate student allows you to develop your professional brand, while contributing to academic literature.
My advice is to keep an open mind and accept the opportunities that make you uncomfortable! What holds you back is not what you are, but what you think you aren't. Take that opportunity and find a new perspective on life.
The variety of opportunities that are here to help you grow, whether that be academically, professionally, or socially, is truly incredible. Take advantage of every opportunity you have!
We have AMAZING faculty for cardiovascular research, as well as nutrition, exercise and food science. If you're trying to choose universities and advisors, come drop by Guelph- chat to the professors, other lab members, our support staff. You'll see the difference yourself and be able to make an informed decision!
“I like the fact that you can go out to the Arboretum and walk during lunch. The flowers and the trees provide such a beautiful and serene outlook to the campus. I like how the buildings are not congested into one area but are separated by trees and pathways.”
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.
