Transition to grad school (9 11-13)

James Lyda, Ph.D.Student Health & Counseling Services

September 18, 2013

Cosponsored by: Student Health & Counseling Services, Student Disability Services, and First

Generation Support Services

Professional/Graduate School is different than Undergrad & the World of Work.

Yes, but how?

Until now, You = Big Fish

Still a Big Fish…

…in an Ocean of Big Fish

Another way to look at it…

Undergrad vs. Grad/Professional

Undergrad Grad/Prof

More structured

Less Autonomy

Goal focused

Short term memory

Banking Knowledge

Unrelenting Workload

Time management

Professional Development

Learning While Doing

Comfort with Ambiguity

Career & Lifestyle focused

More Autonomy

Pressure to Retain Info

Producing & Applying Knowledge

SAT word of the day…

Liminality: In anthropology, liminality is the quality of ambiguity or

disorientation that occurs in the middle stage of rituals, when participants no longer hold their pre-ritual status but have not yet begun the transition to the status they will hold when the ritual is complete. During a ritual's liminal stage, participants "stand at the threshold" between their previous way of structuring their identity, time, or community, and a new way, which the ritual establishes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liminality

Accept Change

You’re an adult.

You’re forming a professional identity.

You’re getting too old for all nighters.

Life is not “on hold” until you graduate.

Your approach in the past may not work now.

Making new friends and connections feels like dating.

It’s time to consider how you’re defining success

Intrinsically Extrinsically

Personal goals/expectations

Knowledge of strengths & areas for growth

Lifestyle and Balance

Professional norms

Cultural influences

Family

Contribution to others

Boundaries and Expectations Embrace ambiguity. Practice flexibility.

Learn to say “no”….or at least “let me get back to you.”

Set realistic expectations for yourself AND friends/ loves ones.

Stress and anxiety are normal and can be facilitative, but…

Performance Curve

Performance

Anxiety

Work-Life Balance

Does not mean a constant 50/50 split

Sleeping

Eating

Physical Activity

Social Life

Work

Quick Quiz: Yes or No? Do you secretly worry that others will find out that you're not as bright and

capable as they think you are?

Do you sometimes shy away from challenges because of nagging self-doubt?

Do you tend to chalk your accomplishments up to being a "fluke,"“no big deal” or the fact that people just "like" you?

Do you hate making a mistake, being less than fully prepared or not doing things perfectly?

Do you tend to feel crushed by even constructive criticism, seeing it as evidence of your "ineptness?“

When you do succeed, do you think, "Phew, I fooled 'em this time but I may not be so lucky next time."

Do you believe that other people (students, colleagues, competitors) are smarter and more capable than you are?

•Do you live in fear of being found out, discovered, unmasked? From Valarie Young, Ph.D.

Imposter SyndromeThe psychological experience of believing that one’s accomplishments came about not through genuine ability, but as a result of having been lucky, having worked harder than others, or having manipulated other people’s impressions.

Can lead to: Self-doubt Sense of incompetence Fear Immobility Stress Irony of praise

Wanna know what to do about It? Check out next month’s Success Series Workshop, on October 16th!

Lessons from Geese

Use Your Resources!!!Student Health &

Counseling

• 476-1281

Student Disability Services

• 476-6595

First Gen Support Services

• 514-0840

Learning Resource Services

• 502-0319

Multicultural Resource Center

• 502-1911

Office of Career & Professional

Development

• 476-4986

Your Peers Faculty/Mentors

James Lyda, Ph.D.

James.Lyda@UCSF.edu

415-514-4730