Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies

Grad Students' Words of Wisdom

Portrait of graduate student Amy Zhou

Amy (Ziyu) Zhou

Advice for Prospective Students...

My advice is to challenge yourself to something new every day and be ready to learn as you go.

Portrait of Thalia Goncalves in the lab

Thalia Goncalves

Some words of advice...

My best advice for prospective grad students would be to not be afraid to put yourself out there to the individuals you want to work with or those you believe to be the best sources of information. You are your best advocate! I would suggest doing as much research as possible on different graduate programs at various institutions, as well as the research being conducted to find the best fit for yourself. In my experience, asking current grad students how their experience was and how they achieved their goals was extremely helpful as they provided their authentic opinion.

Portrait of Dr. Yazmin Osornio Maganaz

Yazmin Osornio Maganaz

Advice for a prospective grad student or someone who would like to follow in your footsteps...

My biggest advice is to follow what truly excites you. My passion for equine reproduction started as a vet student, and every challenge and success since then has only made me more certain of my path. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, make mistakes, and learn from them — that’s where the growth happens. Surround yourself with people who support and inspire you, and remember why you started. There will be tough days, but if you love what you’re doing, it will all be worth it. 

Stephanie Croyle

Stephanie Croyle

Words of advice...

Guelph will provide you with a supportive and stimulating academic environment. My advisors provided me with the freedom to explore my research interests and the support and mentorship to help me become a better scientist. Their positive attitudes and confidence in my abilities allowed me to achieve success in my research goals. There are loads of clubs one could join (e.g. qualitative journal club, welfare and behavior group, dairy journal club, graduate student social committees, art clubs, etc.). In addition, my graduate program provided me with a safe and interactive social environment (e.g. intramural sports, city leagues, department socials). 

For my non-native English-speaking friends, there is a plethora of support from the international office! In addition, the library provides lots of writing and technical support! 

Portrait of graduate student Ashleigh Weeden (PhD, Rural Studies) in the atrium of Mac Donald Stewart Hall at the University of Guelph

Ashleigh Weeden

I am a proud second-generation Gryphon and University of Guelph alumna, having received an Honours Bachelor of Arts in International Development from the U of G in 2008, following in my father's footsteps (Agricultural Engineering '71 and MSc '86). Coming back to Guelph to pursue a doctorate has felt like coming home in all the best ways.

Headshot of University of Guelph Graduate student Serena Viola

Serena Viola

Advice for Prospective Grad students...

My advice for prospective grad students is to reach out to people. When I was looking at the CDE program, I reached out to a couple of graduated students in different fields to talk about their experience in the program. This information was very valuable and helped me to make a confident choice. If you have any questions about the program or my experience please feel welcome to reach out.

Shayne Johnston portrait

Shayne Johnston

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

If I could give advice to a prospective grad student, it would be to never be afraid to say "I don't know".

U of G Criminal Justice and Public Policy MA Candidate Annalise Kennedy

Annalise Kennedy

Advice for Prospective Grad Students… 

Making relationships with your professors in your undergraduate degree is one of the best decisions you can make.