so easy to dream, but so hard to say goodnight.

Ask me anything   this is a blog about alcohol and breakfast food and occasionally graduate school.

on academic insecurity.

It seems like all the other women in their early 20’s in my cohort are constantly going on and on about how they’re not good enough to be here, how they feel misplaced, how everyone else is better than them, and it kind of bums me out because we’re the only demographic who seems to have this particular social media skill in our wheelhouse. 

It also makes me somewhat uncomfortable, because I feel like I’m alienating myself by not participating in this particular ritual - a la the body-berating scene in Mean Girls - but, frankly, I don’t feel awful about myself, and if I did, I’d keep it to myself. But every so often, I get this nagging feeling that I don’t feel this way because I’m doing something wrong, somewhere along the line.

Realistically, it’s probably that: a) this isn’t the field I plan on working in, so I’m not all that worked up about proving myself, and b) I was admitted early and heavily recruited to come here, so, you know, we’re starting at a base-line knowledge that they think I’m better than adequate. But what if I’m missing something? Is this how the Debbie Downer Facebook statuses start?

— 5 months ago with 29 notes
#no one can make you feel misplaced when you already know you're misplaced but apparently they can make you feel paranoid 
  1. figsandmilk reblogged this from robot-heart
  2. bunniesarekewl reblogged this from robot-heart
  3. bchad reblogged this from robot-heart
  4. veritykindle85 reblogged this from robot-heart and added:
    You can love learning...research and discussion as an undergraduate, and it will not...
  5. robot-heart reblogged this from cabell and added:
    whiskeyandnailpolish:...My graduate program was extremely competitive, and because the...
  6. alierakieron reblogged this from cabell and added:
    In my department (same university, different discipline) it was definitely there, but was the elephant in the room. I...
  7. cabell reblogged this from whiskeyandnailpolish and added:
    Wow, this is interesting. I have NEVER heard anyone...thought they didn’t belong in our...
  8. ailanthusaltissima said: In my experience, it’s not just women & it comes & goes in waves. Like after some harsh critique on a hw or proposal.Don’t worry if you don’t feel that way (it’s great you dont), but if you ever do (which you might not & it’s OK) talk to someone.
  9. whiskeyandnailpolish posted this