Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies

Grad Students' Words of Wisdom

U of Guelph Geography grad student Bryce Miller

Bryce Miller

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

Don't worry if you're feeling overwhelmed, truth be told, everyone is feeling that way - just take it day by day. 

Portrait of graduate student Keely Kavcic

Keely Kavcic

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

I would tell any prospective grad students to visit the campuses they are applying to, and talk to students in their program(s) of interest! A major factor in my staying at Guelph was the campus community, and knowing that I would be supported throughout my studies in not only my academics, but also through the social atmosphere on campus.

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.

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.

Portrait of graduate student Sarah Ranby (MSc, Family Relations and Human Development) in the atrium of Mac Donald Stewart Hall at the University of Guelph

Sarah Ranby

About the City of Guelph… 

I came from a small town, so when I first moved to Guelph I was kind of intimidated by the transition due to leaving a rural area to come to a city. I have lived in Guelph for almost eight years now and even though it is a city, it has that small town feel which I like.

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!

Portrait of Shahriyar Ghazanfari Holagh, PhD Engineering U of Guelph

Shahriyar Ghazanfari Holagh

Advice for prospective grad students

Drawing on my experience in academia and research, I would advise prospective graduate students to embrace challenges. When confronted with a difficult situation, tackle it directly rather than trying to avoid it. You'll often find that the solution emerges as you delve into understanding and addressing the challenge at hand.

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 Natalie Ng (MSc, Food Science) in the atrium of Mac Donald Stewart Hall at the University of Guelph

Natalie Ng

Why I Chose Guelph… 

For Food Science in Canada, Guelph was the only choice! Having completed my undergrad here as well, I was happy to build upon my existing relationships within Food Science. Moreover, I was also very excited to not just witness, but be a part of Guelph’s large agri-food revolution.

Portrait of graduate student Emma Plater (PhD, Human Health and Nutritional Sciences with Neuroscience) in the Science Atrium at the University of Guelph

Emma Plater

What Makes U of G Unique?

I love the amount of green space, and how relatively small and compact it is compared to other schools.