The Power of a Strong Belief System and a Story of Courage: Samuel Ayanleye, MSc Wood Physics, University of British Columbia

This post is written based on Sam’s personal experience on studying Wood Science at UBC Canada (posted with author permission).

Dear reader, I am taking you on a JOURNEY which reflects my Graduate school life. It would be nice to start with some of my favourite quotes (they rescue during the DARKEST moments of life).

If you believe that God’s power in you is Greater than Life’s difficulty, an astonishing life awaits you (Norman Vincent Pearl).

The Ultimate measure of a Man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversies. (Martin Luther King, Jr).

Today (August 5, 2020), I completed my MSc at the prestigious University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Top 40 University in the World and Top 3 in Canada). This did not just HAPPEN but a result of SHEER HARDWORK, DILIGENCE, PAINS, CRIES, SELF-MOTIVATION, DETERMINATION, COMMITMENT, BELIEF, COURAGE AND HOPE. Yes, this is a BIG LIFE EVENT for me, and I could not restrain myself from sharing this STORY with the WORLD. While growing up in Ile-Ife, Osun State: I had a small notebook with interesting QUOTES by successful people (just to get HINTS about some of their PHILOSOPHIES). It was actually a long time ago BUT very hard to forget the beginning of this story, a quote in that book goes thus: “OBSTACLES ARE CONDITIONS FOR SUCCESS”, I haven’t realized the deep meaning of this QUOTE until 2018. I started my MSc at UBC in 2018, the phase I consider the HARDEST in my entire existence. During this time, I faced lots of CHALLENGES beyond my Expectations which helped me to become a BETTER HUMAN BEING in all ramifications of my LIFE.

P’s: I am not blaming ANYONE for whatever I faced here; as I consider it a Learning and Growth Process (in a hard way).

After my Undergraduate Studies in FUTA where I bagged a First Class (Hons) and Best Graduating Student in Forestry, I was so passionate about pursuing Grad school ABROAD to have a feel of INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION AND EXPOSURE. I applied for approximately 20 scholarships in several countries. After some rejections, I got selected for the PRESTIGIOUS MasterCard Foundation Scholarship to study Forestry at the University of British Columbia. I got here so excited to be studying in one of the BEST FORESTRY SCHOOLS in the world and also, to be in one of the BEST COUNTRIES in the world (Canada). After few months in the wonderful country, my life took a U-turn. I was chosen to study a 2-year MSc (Research) in Wood Physics and Drying at UBC which means I have to take some courses and research on a topic for 1 full year. After the compulsory orientation programs for the Grad Students, I met with my Supervisor for discussions where he advised me to do a mini-research as a warm-up before my main MSC research.

I started the mini-research Titled “Influence of Freezing Level and Time on Desorption and Shrinkage Properties of Western hemlock”, a research designed to better understand the drying behaviour of WOOD under extreme temperature conditions in North-America (NA), as I have used one of the POPULAR SPECIES for construction in NA (Western Hemlock). The experimental stage was difficult for me as I needed to learn new methods and equipment’s but got everything sorted after several attempts. In the 1st year, I needed to take some courses even while doing the research, but wasn’t easy balancing both. How do I read all these 900+ PPT slides when I take measurements in the lab almost everyday? Nobody even ask about my course work, they only care about the research! How do I explain my situation to my supervisor maybe I can get some flexibility in final submission? All these questions started running through my mind with no serious answer in SIGHT. I summoned the courage to discuss my situation with him with the response: SAM, WELCOME TO RESEARCH. It took little time for the resulting STRESS to show on me (Prelim Research, Courses, and Reading Literatures/Writing Proposal for my main MSc research, Professional Development among others). I tried so hard to put things in place but got OVERWHEMLED along the way (with no help from anywhere and tough sup) and in no time, I lost concentration on my COURSES. I was falling below average in my classes, my mini-research was full of ups and downs, I was trying to have a thesis topic with no luck, lots of failed experiments, among others. I was so tired of everything and was even thinking the world has turned AGAINST ME. I thought I couldn’t even have a master’s degree, I was almost depressed and wanted to drop out of GRAD SCHOOL (April 2019). In the middle of these THOUGHTS, I reminded myself of the GIANT in me to accomplish anything and everything I want in this life.

I got the mini-research done and passed (with excellent grade). After few days of relaxation, I started thinking about my MSc THESIS. I had planned to work with an industry in Canada called “FP Innovations” on a joint research titled “Impact of Wood Component on its Durability and Hygroscopic Properties” BUT was not successful. I was looking for research gaps to solve and after consultation with my supervisor, we agreed on “Impact of Drying on Wood Microfibril Angle and Crystallinity” that also got cancelled after failed experiments and a tough committee meeting that ended with, SAM: Go get a new MSc topic. At this point, we (myself and my supervisor) thought the best thing would be to work on Non-Destructive Assessment of wood (due to fast data collection and availability of equipment’s) and how I ended up working on “Assessment of Some Wood Properties by Near Infrared Spectroscopy”. I had zero knowledge about this area, not even how to operate the equipment’s or do the data analysis but learnt everything in no time (reading manuals, YouTube videos, Literatures, Talking to colleagues and joining online communities). I was particularly glad to have worked on Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) which is normally combined with MACHINE LEARNING to predict several properties of materials including WOOD. I found NIRS interesting due to its several advantages like “Fast Data Acquisition”, “Non-destructive sampling”, “Simultaneous prediction of wood properties”, “Easy implementation in wood industry” to mention but few.

I had no idea about the data analysis but with personal training and consultations with experts, I pulled through that phase and after 20+ versions of the thesis, re-analyzing data and SOME EXTRA EFFORTS, I got confirmation for my THESIS DEFENSE. If I am not exaggerating, that day was ONE OF THE HAPPIEST DAYS of my “two years” at UBC and Canada. Yes, it was not a SMOOTH RIDE for me at all, but I am particularly glad for the significant amount of GROWTH in these past years. See them below;

2 Completed Projects: “Assessment of Some Wood Properties by Near Infrared Spectroscopy”

“Water Sorption and Shrinkage Characteristics of Frozen Western Hemlock Wood”

3 Potential Publications from MSc Thesis: 2 already submitted to reputable journals with 1 to be submitted sometimes this month or early sept.

1 Conference presentation: (74th International Convention of the Forest Products Society in USA, Virtual). Presented a poster titled “Influence of surface quality and wood anisotropy on Near-infrared based models”.

3 Co-authored Publications: With lab mates (Wood Physics and Drying Lab, UBC).

3 Wood Modification Publications: FUTA-related projects.

4 Publications: (External Collaborations, FUTA and FUNAAB).

4 Scholarships: MasterCard Foundation Scholarship, Jack and Mavis Toovey Wood Science award, David and Macaree Scholarship in Wood Science, FPS 2020 Student Scholarship Recipient

2 Travel Awards: IFSA Travel award to attend 2018 Landscape Forum in Bonn, Germany

MasterCard Foundation Travel Award to attend the 2019 Baobab Forum in Kigali, Rwanda

I also gained some valuable teaching skills through UBC Teaching Assistantships: 4 Courses: Fundamentals of Ecology (BIO 230), Fundamentals of Evolutionary Biology (BIO 336), Fundamentals of Biostatistics (BIO 300) and Introduction to Conservation (CONS 101).

Tips for success in Graduate School (from personal experience); you need to be your own manager, good time management skills (set priorities), communication (talk to your supervisor and colleagues), writing (publish papers to hone your writing skills), have alternatives (plan A- Z) because things wont always go your way, be open (you don’t know everything), collaborate with people and have fun.

Did you remember that part of the scriptures (Ecclesiastes 7vs8): It says, “BETTER IS THE END OF A THING THAN THE BEGINNING THEREOF and THE PATIENT IN SPIRIT IS BETTER THAN THE PROUD IN SPIRIT”? I couldn’t have done a thing without the help of the LORD, I thank him for the STRENGTH, MERCIES AND FAVOUR throughout the TOUGHEST of times. May his name be FOREVER GLORIFIED. I also appreciate everyone that SUPPORTED me in the pursuit of this DREAM. My name is Samuel Ayanleye, and this is my Grad School Story.