Anyone else...?

[kalislp]

Hi! I was just accepted into my top program for grad school, and I was so excited, but now I'm scared. I do not feel that my undergrad prepared me at all. I don't feel ready. I feel like undergrad was just memorizing the info to get an A on the exam and tossing it out of my head. I can't help but feel like I'm not good enough or feel like I know absolutely nothing. Does anyone else feel this way? Is it normal? 

[futurespeechie96]

Hi!

You're not alone, I feel the same way! But we need to be confident because we are good enough, we can do this, and we do know things! We wouldn't be where we are without the hard work and determination we put in. I've heard from several friends that we will go in feeling unprepared but that it gets better, especially since we are studying to understand/apply the material instead of trying to get perfect grades. One thing that really helped me was reading/watching SLP graduate blogs, one even suggested making a binder with important course material that you learned in undergrad (ex: neuro diagrams, IPA chart etc.) so you have something to review before classes start and add to as semester goes on. I love organizing stuff so I am definitely  going to do this and make it something fun to do while also brushing up on my undergrad coursework.

[bibliophile222]

You'll be fine! Remember that a lot of people come in from out of field or have been out of school for a while. There will be some review at the beginning, and I bet more of the foundational stuff will come back to you in your new courses.

[LaceySpeechie]

That's definitely normal and while it is a big learning curve, remember that every year thousands of people graduate from SLP grad school. If everyone else can do it, why can't you? While the learning is certainly different from undergrad, your undergrad degree does provide the basis for what you'll be learning in your grad classes and as far as clinic goes, the reality is that what you learn in undergrad can't fully prepare you to actually begin working with clients - and grad programs account for that and realize that you'll stumble and make mistakes, especially when you first begin doing clinic. You'll get through it fine!

[Speechie Nat]

I will be starting grad school in the fall & have these feelings as well. It's normal to feel unprepared and anxious about this journey but don't forget how much work you have put in to get to this point, you are definitely capable! Here is a great video I discovered about dealing with imposter syndrome in grad school. Hope it helps  

 

[Cece93]

I feel this way because I’m an out of field applicant and even though I’ve worked with SLPs I feel like I’m not on the same level as others. I have started reviewing some of my previous course work to get ready for the fall.