Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies

Grad Students' Words of Wisdom

U of G MBS student Sophie Langlois in the lab

Sophie Langlois

Advice for prospective grad students

I recommend taking the time to thoroughly research potential graduate programs and supervisors to find one that is a great fit. It is important to work with a supervisor whose interests align with your own, as passion for your research will help you succeed in academia, especially when things get tough! If you are passionate about reproductive health and fertility, I wholeheartedly recommend the MBS program.

Portrait of graduate student Grace Teng

Grace Teng

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

Pick an advisor you work well with! Or make sure to meet your advisor before committing to doing grad studies with him/her.

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!

Andrew Harris

Andrew Harris

 

About the Campus...

U of G has a fantastic intramural program. I played ice hockey and dodge ball, but there are many other sports offered. In addition, the University has a new physical education building and every student has access to basketball, gyms, the pool, and hot tub.

Portrait of graduate student Sonya Leigh Ogilvie

Sonya Leigh Ogilvie

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

Pursue research that you truly believe has the potential to improve life. Knowing you are working toward something more than just a degree can help you find the drive to make it through the difficult or dry aspects of your time in graduate studies. 

Your time in graduate studies will provide many opportunities, but don't lose touch with yourself. Take the time to do what you need to in order to maintain your sense of purpose and direction, then live out of that. Don't be afraid to try new things, but remember that no one can do everything. Be selective.

Portrait of Megan Lalli

Megan Lalli

Words of wisdom for a prospective grad student

Lean in, stay curious, and be open to the opportunities that will come your way. Don't be afraid to reach out to your professors for ideas or support - the faculty affiliated with this program are well connected and eager to continue strengthening their existing networks. Your cohort will also become like family. Don't be afraid to open up and share, ask questions, and provide support for each other. Lastly, embrace all the prompts for reflection. Those are the opportunities to think critically about yourself, your work, and apply meaning to what you've learned. Enjoy the ride!

Portrait of graduate student Clare Wagner

Clare Wagner

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

Graduate studies are a great experience. In my experience, it was much more practical learning to equip you with skills to use in work settings. You also get to meet so many people who are in the same field and diversify your network.

Shannon Klingel

Shannon Klingel

Advice for Prospective Grad Studies...

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! 

Portrait of graduate student Nick Nunn

Nick Nunn

Advice for Prospective Grad Students...

Take advantage of the many resources available to you at Guelph - go to seminars, networking events, connect with your colleagues.

Bhoomi Gandhi

Bhoomi Gandhi

Advice for funding your studies...

Professors at the University of Guelph are exemplary in their professional acumen. Over and above this, there are plenty of opportunities, like Teaching Assistantship (GTA) and Research Assistantship (RA), for an international graduate student to help fund their studies.