If you had told me a few years ago that one of the greatest challenges of my PhD wouldn’t be designing multistep syntheses or understanding the behavior of distorted aromatic systems, but rather staying mentally resilient through long stretches of uncertainty, I might have been surprised. But now, halfway through my doctoral studies in organic … [Read more…]
This past May 2025, I crossed the stage at the Arts and Culture Centre in St. John’s to receive my Master of Environmental Science (MES) degree from Memorial University. That moment meant everything to me, not just as the end of a chapter, but as a reflection of years of dedication, hard work, and a … [Read more…]
I am almost at the finish line, two years and two months after starting graduate school. From the day I started my master’s program, I fantasized about this moment, but now that I am here, I find myself reflecting on the last two years. While there are plenty of joyous memories, such as travelling to … [Read more…]
Just like that, a two-year journey has come to an end, and what a journey it has been. This is not just a graduation post; it’s a bold step forward, the closing of one chapter, and the opening of another. What started as a diploma program unexpectedly transitioned into a master’s degree pathway, and today, … [Read more…]
Initially, I thought writing this particular blog would be the easiest piece I’d have to complete. But alas, I find myself deeply reflecting on my two-year graduate school experience at Memorial University, wondering – where exactly do I begin? Like many international graduate students at Memorial, studying at this prestigious institution demands a good level … [Read more…]
This past week, I had my biannual existential crisis. What am I doing with my life? Am I prepared to move away to pursue a doctorate? Is the student debt worth it? What about leaving my family and friends? Should I quit my job? What if I just got a job and bought a house? … [Read more…]
I am a queer graduate student passionate about behavioural neuroendocrinology-the study of how hormones in the brain influence behaviour. From the start of my academic journey, I have admired my professors’ dedication, fully aware of how competitive and challenging it is to secure such prestigious positions—positions that I hope to hold one day. In the … [Read more…]
When I first stepped into the world of co-op placements as a Master’s student, I didn’t fully understand just how transformative the experience would be – for my academic path, my career aspirations, and perhaps most importantly, my sense of self. Before beginning my PhD in Psychology (Social Psychology stream) at Memorial University in the … [Read more…]
Some journeys are straight roads, predictable and smooth. Mine, however, has been a storm-tossed sea—marked by adventure, adaptation, and an unrelenting pursuit of purpose. From the lively streets of Tehran to the historic charm of Naples and now to the rugged, wind-whipped shores of Newfoundland and Labrador, my life has been a mosaic of cultures, … [Read more…]
Have you ever wondered if studying abroad is truly worth the stress? Applying, traveling to an unknown place, and facing the fear of the unknown can be overwhelming. Saying goodbyes to family and searching for greener pastures—only to wonder if it’s truly greener on the other side—can be emotionally challenging. There’s also the loneliness of … [Read more…]