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Often, in grad school, you will feel inadequate. You will feel like a failure, like someone that doesn’t deserve the degree you’re going to get. This is normal. We all feel this way and that is the wonderful part of growing as an individual and becoming a researcher. You will learn that there is so much more to life than we know and it will make us feel a bit weird inside.
Feeling like you are not good enough is something that you will have to fight. I just want to let you know that you are not just good enough, but wayyyyy better than “enough”. You will face some very difficult uncertainties in the years that follow which will cause self doubt but know that no matter what anyone says, you are enough!!!
People will tell you “no”, Experiments will tell you “no”. Advisers will tell you “no”. Things in life will not go the way you wanted but that does not mean you are less than perfect. You are perfect and beautiful and smart and you will overcome whatever you face in graduate school. You make so many people proud and that is good enough to keep you going.
I often feel that I am not good enough but then realize that I am in a difficult major, with the brightest people around me, learning stuff that people spend their whole lives studying. This is so cool and of course I may feel lost but that moment is when the adventure starts getting good.
I often just pretend that I am in the Lord of the Rings. They had is quite difficult and often felt like they were not good enough for the job of taking the ring to Mordor, but they did. Grad school is that journey for you. Sure, you will face a ton of monsters along the way. Sure, you may get chewed up and spit out, but you will prevail and the end will be so amazing.
You can do it. You are good enough. And you will PREVAIL.
**If you or someone you know is suffering from mental health issues, I highly recommend that they seek help. Online-Therapy.com or TalkSpace.com are great ways to reach out to a licensed therapist and get the help needed. Therapy has 100% helped me and I know it can help you.
I’m in Grad school, too. I have the same feelings with “People will tell you “no”, Experiments will tell you “no””. :)) And I’m trying to tell me “yes”!!!!
I am in grad school, too. I totally got what you mean by saying “People will tell you “no”, Experiments will tell you “no”. Advisers will tell you “no”.” And every time like that, I always try to tell me “yes, yes, yes, yes” 🙂
I’m a new grad and just started a very stressful job in February. I feel totally incompetent these days because so much is at stake. New hires also feel this way. I have the title “registered nurse” but feel far from that 😓
I hope things get better for you soon. It takes time but you’ll get the hang of things
It’s amazing how much one forgets after finishing school. I hardly remember what I learned in school and need to go back and review everything.
Been there. Quite touch, but eventually, we find a way through it all. thank you for sharing.
what a lovely site! these are lessons that serve us well for any phase of our lives 🙂
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