Does your program make you feel stupid?

[NewPhDstudent]

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[krisrox]

I am a new phd student and the first week of classes has made me feel so stupid! i know i was accepted here for a reason and that i belong, but it feels like everyone else has such smarter comments and such better things to say! Am i alone in thinking this or is it a normal experience in psychology graduate programs?

Impostor Syndrome. Totally normal. Some say it doesn't subside for ten years.

 

[VeggieDelight]

The imposter syndrome- it's been well documented, and it's not specific to psychology. I'm going through it now and talking to others in my cohort has really helped. You're there to learn; you'll think of 'smarter' things to say as you go!!

At least I hope, for my sake as well. 😛

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Don't worry...it will happen in grad school, on practica, on internship, on post-doc/fellowship, at your first "real" job afterwards, etc.

It is part of the learning/growing up.

 

[futureapppsy2]

So far, it definitely feels a bit like drinking from the metaphorical fire hose--partially, because we're now learning things that were "off limits" before (assessment including the interpretation and report writing pieces, for example) and thus are very "new," at least to me. On the flip side, it is kind of exciting to be moving on to the next stage of my education/training.

 

[zzzz2]

It's better to feel this way than to think that you already know everything. Graduate school is meant to be a humbling experience with too much to learn!

 

[lookitssara]

Last year I felt stupid and in over my head. This year, I'm realizing how much I really did learn and absorb.

We're also in a position of being with the best and brightest, so our comparison models are hard to compete with. Think about explaining everything you know to an undergrad...you'll see how much you do know and how smart you are.

 

[CounselingGirl]

I'm in a Masters program and am going through the same thing. Today we were going over a bunch of history material, and everyone seemed to know it already... everyone but me.

 

[Ollie123]

Absolutely normal.

Eventually you get to the stage where you realize no one else has any idea what they are doing either, and even most faculty are just mucking around as best they can. Then the bitterness sets in😉

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

See my sig....😀

 

[deleted176373]

Perhaps you are at my school! LOL, yes, I spent the better part of 2 years feeling like I was the caboose bringing up the back of the train!

It was brutal... I had never earned a grade less than an A from 2004-2006 and now I was struggling just to pass with a B. Everyone was as smart or much smarter than I was, I think much smarter was the average and I was in WAY over my head.

Totally NORMAL.

It will get better. Then you'll see your first patients and you'll feel it all over again.

Mark

 

[cara susanna]

During my first year, I felt really dumb compared to the third and fourth years! I think it's because the learning curve is so steep during the first two years, at least in my program.

 

[neuropsyance]

During my first year, I felt really dumb compared to the third and fourth years! I think it's because the learning curve is so steep during the first two years, at least in my program.

This is exactly how I feel. My program actually just changed the curriculum for the program to move a few classes around, and add some stuff. It's funny because I've got an advanced student in two of my four classes. They seem brilliant when you listen to them talk, so yeah, I feel kind of stupid 🙄

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

During my first year, I felt really dumb compared to the third and fourth years! I think it's because the learning curve is so steep during the first two years, at least in my program.

I felt like that when I worked with post-docs as a 3rd year. I knew my stuff, but I didn't feel nearly as polished. Now as a fellow I feel more polished, but I still feel very "green" compared to the senior neuro people.

 

[texgirl5660]

I feel stupid all the time. I think you are supposed to. The longer you go, the more you realize how much you don't know.

 

[PsychStudent82]

I'm in my first year and I definitely feel this way!!!

 

[psychmama]

I'm in my first year and I definitely feel this way!!!

I never actually felt stupid in my program. I did feel that there was a lot to learn, but the school climate was very supportive and I never felt I needed to prove anything. I guess it depends on the program, but I'm thankful I never felt that sort of pressure.