Current UBC grad students share their hard-won wisdom and suggest ways to manage the highs and lows of graduate student life.

1. Top 10 Tips for
Thriving in
Graduate School:
3 Student Perspectives
Presented by:
Ahmad Ashoori
Blake Smith
Luz Angélica Caudillo Mata

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Where to find this presentation and ALL THE LINKS!
http://orientation.grad.ubc.ca/resources/
Before we begin…

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Blake Smith
Ø PhD student in Art Education
Ø Liu Scholar @ Liu Institute for
Global Issues
Ø Artist & teacher educator
Ø Originally from Atlanta, GA, USA

4. Ø PhD student in Geophysics/
Applied Mathematics
Ø Research Assistant at the
Geophysical Inversion Facility
Ø Member of the Student
Committee of the Institute of
Applied Mathematics
Ø Originally from Mexico
Luz Angélica
Caudillo Mata

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Ø PhD student in Electrical Engineering
Ø Former President of Thunderbird
Residence Association
Ø Former Vice-president of ECE
Graduate Students Association
Ø Originally from Iran
Ahmad Ashoori

6. #1: Resources
• Inside UBC
Ø Departmental
Ø Legal
Ø Research & learning
Ø International House (“I-House”)
Ø Bookstore / SUB / AMS services
• Outside UBC
Ø SIN Number
Ø Driver’s license/BC ID/etc.
Ø Helpful websites
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7. #2: Know the ground rules
l Rights and responsibilities
l Be clear about your work expectations
l Clearly define roles and expectations
with your supervisor
l Life is unpredictable, so is graduate
school...
Remember!
l Don't take things personally
l It's your responsibility to make grad
school one of your best experiences in
life!

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#3: Communication
& Building relationships
Be proactive
Givers & takers – which are you?
Listen well, smile often J
Build your team & community
Important people & Gatekeepers
Sharing is caring!

9. #4: Funding/Budgeting
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• Scholarships
• Research & Teaching Assistantships
• Outside of UBC - Grants, etc.
• Jobs
Ø On campus
Ø Off campus

10. Time management skills
Know how you work!
Free software
Back up your work!
#5: Getting Organized
It’s easier to be organized when
you have the right tools!
Evernote

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#6: Degree planning & Career building
Planning:
Conferences
Publishing
Opportunities
Milestones
Vacations!
Networking
Resume vs. CV
Online Presence
Deadlines:
Conference proposals
calls for submissions,
thesis/dissertation,
ethics (BREB),
funding,
SHHRC/AF

12. #7: Explore all your options
Build communities & get involved!
Take advantage!
You will be living in one of the most amazing cities in the world!
Internships
Clubs
Volunteering

13. #8: Self-care & Stress management
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• Make yourself comfortable
Ø At home
Ø At work
Ø Carpal tunnel/Repetitive Strain
Injury
• Work hard/play hard
• Be sociable
• Working out, hiking, soccer
• GSS Whistler trip
• Clubs/other resources

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#9: “Getting off on the right foot”
Maintain your confidence
Say yes within your limits
Don’t live on an island
Be assertive, not aggressive
Self-advocate
Be proactive
Be visible
Be you.

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(and buy an umbrella) J
#10: ENJOY THIS ONCE IN A
LIFETIME EXPERIENCE.
REMEMBER TO
BREATHE!

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Today’s Top Ten Tips:
1 Resources
2 Know the ground rules
3 Communication & Building relationships
4 Funding/Budgeting
5 Getting Organized
6 Degree planning & Career building
7 Explore all your options
8 Self care & Stress management
9 Getting off on the “right foot”
10 Enjoy this experience!

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Where to find this presentation and ALL THE LINKS!
http://orientation.grad.ubc.ca/resources/
Thank you!
Questions?