Any recommended prep (summer before first year of grad school)

[brain hugger]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi everyone!

Any specific suggestions on what to do to prepare for the first year of a Clin Psych PhD program?

Here are some things I came up with:
1) housing issues
2) budgeting/finances for the next few years (looking up budgeting software, frugality-tips websites, grants, fellowships)
3) looking up info on how to prepare oneself for internship (interviewing skills, researching various sites)
4) reading books on research and how to write a dissertation

Thanks!! 😛

 

[cara susanna]

Relax and enjoy the last free summer you'll have. Housing and finances are good to think about, but don't stress about your dissertation and internship yet.

 

[roubs]

Relax and enjoy the last free summer you'll have. Housing and finances are good to think about, but don't stress about your dissertation and internship yet.

👍👍

 

[Lchow1]

Travel. Domestic, abroad, it doesn't matter, just go out and experience things that you enjoy. You have the next 4-6 years to do graduate school and prepping for it won't make much difference in the long run, in my opinion. Once school starts, you'll have less time/energy/finances. Many people are able to incorporate their passions in addition to their program requirements while in school, but it's much easier to do beforehand. I spent time traveling and visiting friends/family and that helped me feel balanced and happy before I started back in school. That goes a loooong way.

 

[krisrox]

Travel. Domestic, abroad, it doesn't matter, just go out and experience things that you enjoy. You have the next 4-6 years to do graduate school and prepping for it won't make much difference in the long run, in my opinion. Once school starts, you'll have less time/energy/finances. Many people are able to incorporate their passions in addition to their program requirements while in school, but it's much easier to do beforehand. I spent time traveling and visiting friends/family and that helped me feel balanced and happy before I started back in school. That goes a loooong way.

Agreed! Do the things you think you might not be able to do once you start your program.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Agreed! Do the things you think you might not be able to do once you start your program.

Another vote for this. Once you've got the housing situation squared away, and have filled out your FAFSA if you plan on applying for student loans, then go and enjoy your summer.

 

[brain hugger]

Hi all! Thanks for responding. 🙂 You're right!! I definitely should take some time to kick back, unwind, and just enjoy my summer! I guess I got a little ahead of myself. 😛

 

[busybusybusy]

Hi all! Thanks for responding. 🙂 You're right!! I definitely should take some time to kick back, unwind, and just enjoy my summer! I guess I got a little ahead of myself. 😛

I know how you feel! I've been in "go mode" for so long now with school, full time work and a part time internship, that now that most of those things are coming to an end (finishing my MA) I feel like I need to be planning something else to occupy my time. It's been hard for me to take a step back and realize that I have to RELAX

 

[TheOverachiever]

This is a great thread.

I've promised myself that I will have a great summer. As others mentioned, it'll be hard because I've been in go mode for so long but I figured now is the time to relax and take care of myself before going into 5-7 years of school/internship then hopefully a career & family after.

I'm planning on traveling within the States & abroad.

 

[HopefulClinical]

Has anyone heard anything about registering for classes or next steps to take? I haven't heard a word from the school I accepted at since I sent my official letter of acceptance...just wondering if this was the norm...

 

[ariagirlno1]

Has anyone heard anything about registering for classes or next steps to take? I haven't heard a word from the school I accepted at since I sent my official letter of acceptance...just wondering if this was the norm...

I've not heard anything yet either. I emailed to confirm they'd received my deposit and they said they would send a packet out in the next few weeks...I want it now!

 

[Psychology 76]

I've not heard anything yet either. I emailed to confirm they'd received my deposit and they said they would send a packet out in the next few weeks...I want it now!

I heard from my future school that I shouldn't expect anything until August (ugh)

But i plan on brushing up on some skills before then and trying to enjoy my last summer!

 

[Student4Life0]

I feel the same way! I've been GO GO GO for two years, working on my MA, practicum, assistantship duties, applications etc. My goodness...it's time to relax! My summer plan: BEACH, trying to make some $$$, and yes...starting research for my dissertation...(I need to be at least a little productive!)

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Travel, relax, and recharge...because most students are pretty busy from the get-go.

 

[psychgradhope]

I've not heard anything yet either. I emailed to confirm they'd received my deposit and they said they would send a packet out in the next few weeks...I want it now!

Good to know- I've been wondering when we'd get more info too but I feel like I've already bothered Jennifer enough already lol.

 

[ariagirlno1]

Good to know- I've been wondering when we'd get more info too but I feel like I've already bothered Jennifer enough already lol.

I definitely was hesitant to email her for that very reason, but it's not unreasonable to want some confirmation that everything's in order so I'm glad I did it 🙂 Now I'm just impatiently waiting for the packet 👍

 

[Jegg]

Hi everyone!

Any specific suggestions on what to do to prepare for the first year of a Clin Psych PhD program?

Here are some things I came up with:
1) housing issues
2) budgeting/finances for the next few years (looking up budgeting software, frugality-tips websites, grants, fellowships)
3) looking up info on how to prepare oneself for internship (interviewing skills, researching various sites)
4) reading books on research and how to write a dissertation

Thanks!! 😛

Start a hedge fund.

 

[kapinkkidowski]

I wouldn't worry in general about registration until summer.

Figure out where you are going to live. Other than that, enjoy it, this will be your most carefree summer for a long time...

 

[PsyDHokie]

Hi everyone!

Any specific suggestions on what to do to prepare for the first year of a Clin Psych PhD program?

Here are some things I came up with:
1) housing issues
2) budgeting/finances for the next few years (looking up budgeting software, frugality-tips websites, grants, fellowships)
3) looking up info on how to prepare oneself for internship (interviewing skills, researching various sites)
4) reading books on research and how to write a dissertation

Thanks!! 😛

All I can say is live it up! Once everyone accepts in your cohort, my program put us all on a listserv, and set us up with peer mentors (older students). Through the listserv you can introduce yourself to your cohort, and maybe even find a roommate, or suggestions on places to live.

Financial aid could be done through FAFSA and a few emails or calls to financial aid. You can look for graduate assistantships, but those are fairly competitive, but if you are fully funded, no worries about that!

DO NOT worry about internships yet, because that a few years down the road. My program gave us some SUGGESTED reading, so you can do those if you want, but it is completely up to you.

I got a fun summer job, traveled, caught up with friends, and just made sure I got a lot of self-care!