greenpoint001

I agree with everyone on this thread. Talk to a therapist. See a doctor to manage your medications. On a practical level, if you find it bearable to see a therapist and keep attending class, therapists can also help to provide coaching for your social anxiety and how to cope with the demands of your academic classes. You may need to go more than once a week. Best of luck.

Hi newjerseyslp, I'm assuming that at the time you were deciding where to go for school, you decided to attend this school for SLP because of x, y, z reasons - reasons that were logical and reasons that you were excited about. I think that you may have to have more of an expectation management mindset. Especially if you are coming from an experience that you loved (the undergraduate program), it is inevitable that any other following experience that doesn't consistently match up will be a disappointment. And even if it is not a disappointment, the fact of the matter is that change and adjustment to a new season are always difficult. That said, I'm sorry you are unhappy in your new graduate program. I wonder what you could do to make it more enjoyable -- perhaps you could mix community building and school by organizing study parties, or converse with people after class and if there is anyone you vibe with, ask if they would like to get a drink sometime. You could find someone who is in a similar boat as you and invite them to explore the area/nearby city with you. You could branch outside of your program and network with others in the health profession or other therapy departments (OT, counseling, etc). You could join a club or create one related to your own interests. Use this experience as a way to be flexible and creative with the problem you have. You may not see it now but these traits are important traits that all successful SLPs have - if you decide you will not and cannot be flexible or creative with the problem then this rigidity will not help you in the field! If others have clinical internships and you want that experience, ask your professors for referrals or recommendations to clinical volunteer/internships that you could take on while the course load is lighter. If that is your main concern, then be proactive. And then if you decide that it is worth it to make the switch to a different program, then again, weigh the pros and cons. Make a list. Figure out if the extra student loan debt is worth it. Don't make the decision on a whim because you feel unhappy and then allow that unhappiness to propel you to make a poor decision for your future. A few things you should know is that if you would like to work in a school, where you got the degree does not really matter. I believe it is different for hospital settings - but don't quote me on that. Also, getting a degree does not make you an expert. You need to complete the degree to become a SLP, but it takes years of working in a professional setting, collaboration, supervision, and professional development to become an expert. Good luck with everything!

For law, isn't a JD the most reputable degree? I mean, I'm not sure because I'm not in law, but that is what I think of first. I'm not very knowledgeable about the law field other than knowing that law as a career is tracked. So for a potential law career, it may bring more future success to gain acceptance into a more reputable, prestigious school. Success all depends on how hard you work, but I have heard it often said that to have a better career trajectory you need to go to a reputable school. Reach out to a mentor or a lawyer friend for advice if that is the career you want to go for! As for Dartmouth, it is an ivy. But is it worth it for a liberal arts degree? For me personally, probably not. I think it just comes down to what you are willing to invest in. For some people, it is not so important because of the debt they will incur. For others, the debt and experience are worth it; they will do whatever it takes to manage it because it is a worthy investment for their future. Those are my two cents, anyway. Take care and hope you figure it out soon, legallyblonde! I love your username, btw haha.

Hi Anxious art historian, You are suffering from what I know intimately as "The Paradox of Getting Many Good Things" - a condition I made up and a name that is nonsense but something that does happen often... at least to me. You started out in your post that you've had amazing luck with your acceptance. Congratulations! You truly seem like an amazing individual, capable of amazing things. But before you can conquer graduate school and your phD program, first, you have to figure out all the logistics of school, finances, etc. etc. ETC. Yes, these are all stressful decisions. Yes, they are all a nightmare to figure out. They will affect your life. BUT since you are so amazing and brilliant, I believe that you will make the best, smart decision that you can at the time you need to. Do you believe that? You have gotten many good things and you can't feel happy. Do you know why? Because you have too many good things. You would think that having too many good things would just make you feel, well, good. But in reality, they can drive us crazy. One good thing might be better than the other (i.e. the doctoral SSHRC) but whether you get a little stipend of a huge one, the main point is this: these are all good things. So remember that. Revel in that. Now, after that, do this: try visualizing, writing down, or talking with someone about what your ultimate end goal is. You are studying to receive a phD... but for what purpose? Then, think about everything you need to do to make it happen. Write the very basic necessities that will sustain your studies and life during this academic period. Be clear on what you are doing, why, and what you need to make it all happen. And then don't let any of the minor details, no matter how attractive they may be, cloud your judgment. It seems like you have this sort of intuition already, as indicated when you turned down that curatorial assistant job. So simply reaffirm your purpose, what you need to get there, and trust yourself. As for your questions.. Did I pick the right school? - Sit by yourself and think about why you chose it. Only you know the answer and why you chose a school over another. Prestige can be important or not depending on what you study and your personal preference. Should I have taken the job and deferred my PhD (but I would have lost the scholarship)? - This goes back to your purpose. Financial insecurity is really scary but that is part of phD programs. Either it's not worth it or the phD is an investment for the future. Is it too late to change my mind? - For your particular situation, I don't know. I want to say no, that dropping out is probably not difficult but it will have consequences so just be mindful of that. Also one last thing. You said that you heard back at different times regarding the scholarship and acceptance; you found out about the scholarship after accepting offers, which sucks. All I can say is that that is unfortunate but for some instances, timing is off and it is against us. You could try to negotiate and communicate your disappointments and maybe something good could happen? But overall, just realize that there are some things you can't control and keep moving. Anxious art historian, good luck with everything. It really is amazing that so many lucky (but earned) situations happened to you! All you need to do is to trust yourself and then pave the way to move forward confidently.

Stealth95, this sounds like a complicated situation. While you are by no means expected to disclose personal information on the internet, I feel that having more details would make it more clear about the wisest way you should proceed. I advise that you talk to a parent, friend, relative, therapist, or anyone you trust with more transparency and see what they say. From my point of view, honestly, I think you are blaming a program when the lack of motivation is stemming from inside you. For whatever reason, you are in a negative headspace regarding your decision. It seems as if you are playing comparison games of What Ifs and The Grass is Greener On the Other Side... If you want to feel at peace, I don't think burning bridges with school B is the answer. To be frank, I think even if you chose School A over B, you would still be in this situation of regret and find yourself feeling similarly. Think back to why you even decided on School B. One positive of school B is the good reputation of the professor you intend to work with - this is an important factor in phD studies, so this was a smart move. Think through all of them. In responding to your three options... I notice that you realize that there are negative consequences to each one - don't take this realization lightly. I know its tough to deal with a decision you made and now regret. But you are an adult and this happens to the best of us; we need to learn how to be accountable for our actions (and decisions). I think the best option is to go with the 'Evil' option but with a different mentality: fake it 'til you make it. See the best in the situation and do your best anyway. And try to make it. If you must drop out, then take that decision seriously because you will be held accountable for that too. So do it honorably. And lastly, do it with some sort of direction. Have the intention to do better the next time around, whatever it is you decide that direction may be.

Dear TrishaK, Don't apply to OT school. It is way too costly if you do not want to go. Just be honest and tell your parents that you are deciding to go in a different direction with your career. And make sure to tell them how excited you are about research! But also, psychology and getting a phD is extremely competitive. It may be funded but it can also be expensive since you will have to live without income for years. Don't glamorize the dream of being a phD and doing research just because you are in a place of uncertainty with what you thought was certain. So cool that you want to do ASD research! I work with ASD populations as a teacher if you still have connections with OTs, make sure to shadow OTs in schools that work with ASD populations - it's a lot of fun and the OTs I've met in schools absolutely love it. You're young - don't slam the door shut on opportunities. Take time and figure it out ! Good luck!

HI EVERYONE. I have three years of special education teaching experience and I'm interested in entering counseling as a profession later on and work with children and families in lower income neighborhoods and at-risk populations. I recently found Harvard's PSP program and I am intrigued -- would love to hear more about it from students, admitted prospective students, or other potential applicants. I REALLY WANT TO KNOW: your credentials - GRE score, degrees, life experiences, hobbies, leadership roles, whatever you think got you admitted, or what you are currently doing to prepare to apply, since I am in the same boat as other pre-pre-pre-prospective appliants :) THANKS SO MUCH!