Your therapist's notebook

The Secret To Surviving Grad School

Whether school is a distant memory, or you’re climbing through classes as we speak, we can all agree that school is no joke. Being a student continues to be one of the most challenging accomplishments we face mentally, physically, financially, socially, you name it.

By the end of just my first year of graduate school, I was fed up with this tiresome reality. I decided there had to be a better way, and made it my goal to find it. Luckily for me, all of my classes focus on human behavior and mental health! What I found is a better approach to surviving school, no matter where you are in your educational aspirations. I also found that, between school, new jobs, and continuing education, we are all ALWAYS learning. To my friends who aren’t in school, this one’s for you too.

As I mentioned earlier, I’m currently a Grad Student, trying to achieve my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health. This has proven to be no easy feat and has encouraged me to find the best approach to being a student.

While a lot of sources will claim that planning ahead, budgeting, and organization are all you need to survive school, they are missing one important aspect; mentality. In order to best explain the mentality approach to school, I want to break it up into 3 parts.

Part 1: You Deserve To Be Here

The truth is, imposter syndrome affects most people. And as I meet more and more students, I notice a vast majority admit to feeling like they don’t belong. Addressing this feeling in myself was huge in improving my experience as a student.

In order to achieve a “I deserve to be here” mentality, try focusing only on your positive experiences and how much you have already learned. Remind yourself: You belong here!

Lastly, it’s okay to ask questions! As a student you will always be surrounded by people of many different backgrounds and skill sets. So there’s no reason to feel bad or embarrassed for asking a question. Chances are, the students around you will be happy to help and excited to learn with you!

Part 2: Have Fun & Get Comfortable Saying No

While it may sound easy to make time for fun, getting caught up in the pressure of being a student often gets in the way. It didn’t take long for me to notice that even when I did have time for things I enjoyed, I felt too exhausted to go out and do them.

One thing that my grad school studies have continued to teach me is the importance of self care. Taking time for activities I enjoy has greatly benefited me. It has helped in creating a positive mindset around school.

This also requires finding a comfortable school-life balance. Remember that it’s okay to say no to things you’re not interested in or don’t have time for.

Recommended Reading: 7 Tips To Saying No Effectively

Part 3: Focus On The Present

The final part to using mentality for improving your educational and professional experiences is to focus on the present. One of my favorite quotes of all time is “Today is a gift that is why it is called the present” by Eleanor Roosevelt.

Focusing on the here-and-now of my life has given me a lot of gratitude for my progress so far. While planning for the future is unavoidable as a student, over-planning can also be a dangerous trap. Keep in mind that your everyday experiences are unique and deserve your full attention.

Extra Tips For Surviving School

If you can master those 3 parts to creating a positive mindset around school, you will enjoy your time as a student much more. Other things you can be doing to improve your experience even more are: