The University of Guelph has a very cooperative and motivating environment. It has the power to really keep you motivated and happy throughout your studies. In terms of financial support, the department informed students of all scholarship opportunities available and encouraged our applications.
Get involved in the community. Grad school is more than your research project; expand your contributions beyond your field of research and into the community where you are working.
My research program seeks to understand the underlying physiology of diseases common in horses, and how these diseases can be modified with targeted nutrition, with a focus on cartilage biology.
Figure out what motivates you, what you’re passionate about and what will drive you now and in the future. Start talking and engaging with people around campus. Go out of your way to get involved. It will pay off! The University of Guelph is full of passionate and interesting people and your attempts to connect with them can create opportunities you wouldn’t expect.
I would tell them that graduate studies is like riding your bike up a hill… You know it's going to be a challenge, but you do it anyways. And as you're trudging up that hill, not only do you have people riding right along beside or in front of you, but you know that you've got a plethora of cheerleaders waiting for you at the top. In essence, graduate studies at the University of Guelph will be scary, hard, and stressful… but so much fun and totally worth it.
Guelph will provide you with a supportive and stimulating academic environment. My advisors have 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 has 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 has 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!
