Is It Normal to Feel “Unprepared” Even After Years of Study? Seeking Honest Advice from Grad Students
I’m preparing for graduate school, and something has been bothering me lately. No matter how much I study or prepare, I still feel like I’m not ready enough—like there’s always another paper I should read, another skill I should learn, another method I don’t fully understand.
When I talk to friends, many of them feel the same. It makes me wonder: is this part of the graduate experience, or does it mean we’re missing something important in our preparation?
I’d really appreciate insights from current or former graduate students:
• Did you feel underprepared when you first started?• How did you deal with imposter syndrome in research?• What skills actually mattered most once you were in a program?• Is it better to specialize early or explore broadly first?
I’m trying to set realistic expectations and build the right mindset before applying. Honest experiences would really help.
Thank you all