Questions Before Going Back to Graduate School

[EAYTAZ]

Hi All -

I have decided to pursue a graduate education in Clinical Psychology. I completed my undergrad 5+ years ago and I am hoping to get some insights on the following questions from anyone that might've followed a similar path:

1. What is 1 thing you wish you knew before starting grad school (either terminal masters or PhD)?

2. Biggest challenge returning to school after many years

3. Biggest misconception you had about returning to school (dream v reality)?

Thanks!

[Psyche007]

I might not be similar enough to you for my input to be useful, but here it is anyway.

Context: I'm a 40+ y/o 2nd year clinical psych PhD student, 2x Bachelor of Science degrees, no Master's degree, married to a career-professional wife with whom I have an adult daughter. I have 8+ years professional experience working in various mental health/substance abuse settings in both private practice and community organizations. I am an immigrant who moved to US approximately 20 years ago.

1. What is 1 thing you wish you knew before starting grad school (either terminal masters or PhD)?

The hardest thing about grad school seems to be getting in. Once you're there, success is HEAVILY based on how organized and disciplined you are, not how intelligent. Consistent effort and scheduled self-care is extremely important to maintain motivation. Pick your schools carefully and don't be afraid to create your own opportunities. Be appropriately assertive.

2. Biggest challenge returning to school after many years

Being organized and disciplined. Dealing with boredom. Learning how to balance the various demands of family, coursework, and research. Motivating myself to care about elements of the course that are banal and/or frivolous. Adjusting to a heavily bureaucratic administration that wouldn't be able to survive in a normal business environment (and I worked in some state-funded departments that were incredibly frustrating to navigate). That last part might be institution-dependent, but I doubt there's much variance in academia. 

3. Biggest misconception you had about returning to school (dream v reality)?

I honestly though it would be far more intellectually demanding that it actually is. I was always told during undergrad that grad school was the place to challenge orthodoxy and develop deeper insight into the fundamental concepts and philosophies of psychology in general, theoretical orientations of psychotherapy, constructs of psychopathology, etc. This isn't the case, at least not yet. There's a lot of memorization and regurgitation with specific application. Challenge isn't usually well-received, no matter how academic the discussion. 

I also thought that my cohort would generate a much more camaraderie than has actually occurred. There is a tendency to engage in a lot of drama, just like I imagine high school to be. I've ended up making friends with senior PhD students and some 2nd year PsyD students, some of whom are closer to my own age. If you're 27 or so, you might not experience much of this, as there is probably a generational element involved. 

 

 

Edited September 13, 2020 by Psyche007