The Struggle is Real: What to Do When Grad School Feels Like Too Much
Heyyy, BCBA Ruby here!
If you’re just starting grad school to become a BCBA and it already feels like a whirlwind, I get it. The excitement of starting something new, mixed with that underlying feeling of doubt — it can be a lot. You’ve committed to a dream, and now that you’re in it, you’re hit with the realization that grad school isn’t exactly what you thought it would be.
You’re navigating the overwhelming amount of new information, trying to keep up with deadlines, and maybe you’re feeling like you’re not keeping pace with your peers. Maybe you're even asking yourself, "Did I make the right decision?" I’ve been there. And let me tell you — that’s completely normal.
The start of grad school is this intense, uncertain time. It’s all so new — the research papers, the theories, the classes you never thought you’d take. It’s easy to feel like you’re not good enough or like you’ll never get the hang of it. You might feel like you’re treading water, just trying to keep your head above the surface.
But here’s the thing: It’s okay to feel this way. You’re still learning how to navigate it all, and it’s okay to not have it figured out immediately. Grad school isn’t something you’re expected to conquer in the first few weeks. It’s a journey, and you’re at the very beginning of it. It’s supposed to feel hard — and that’s where the growth happens.
I can remember my own first days of grad school — the nervousness, the pressure, the imposter syndrome. I wondered if I was doing it right, if I could really handle it. But as time went on, I realized that I didn’t need to have all the answers right away. Grad school isn’t about being perfect from the start — it’s about figuring it out as you go.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, know that it’s okay to feel like you’re just trying to survive right now. You will find your rhythm. It’s going to take time, patience, and some grace with yourself. Lean on your professors, reach out to your peers, and take things one assignment at a time. You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You are starting something big, and the beginning is often the hardest part. But remember, this phase will pass, and you’ll look back on it with so much pride for having pushed through it.
You’ve got this. Keep moving forward, one step at a time. The BCBA in you is waiting on the other side of this journey. I believe in you.
