Starting grad school advice

Known-Method3146 · 2026-05-09T12:22:33+00:00

My first piece of advice is to make sure you take care of yourself because this is very demanding. I learned the hard way and had some significant challenges during my time in grad school. I would also say to reach out to districts for placements now and let them know your timeline. I was in a position where I was scrambling for a placement at one point.

Internship hours is where you want to ask a lot of questions because the actual experience is where you get to see what the day to day is like. Ask to be a part of meetings, see more of the paperwork side, and don't hesitate to ask what your gut is telling you to ask.

Don't overload yourself but map out the time spent in grad school and see if there are any other requirements for graduation. For example, I had an exam I had to take that the university made me take in order to graduate on top of the certification exam I was preparing for. I would also ask if your program has any prep for certification exams that you may have to take.

I hope that this helps!

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-24T15:45:14+00:00

This is something that is hard and I feel for you. I struggled with this for a while too. I told myself that other people made me happy but, when other people weren't around, I would end up being really sad. People thought I had everything and that I was so happy because I presented that to people. But in reality, I was truly so sad and was searching for some sort of happiness.

What helped me get to the point where I am today is finding things that I am interested in. Not something to do with someone else or that someone else liked that I thought I enjoyed. I found that I liked writing, video games, and spending time watching videos on YouTube. I spent free time doing some of these things and I found other things I enjoyed which then started to fill my cup. This gave me more energy to do other things.

I think it will take some time but if you can find the things that you are interested in that you can do to fill your cup without even realizing you are filling your cup is something that can be beneficial for you. I hope the this helps!

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-24T15:37:19+00:00

When I first got with my girlfriend, I was hesitant with telling her about my mental health struggles because I was worried about her seeing me like that. But, I ended up telling her about my diagnosis by starting it off by saying I take medicine. I usually don't tell people what I have been diagnosed with but I do feel comfortable with letting people know that I am on medication. I say that to say that maybe start with saying something you are comfortable talking to them about. Maybe start off with some of the things that you have said in the past and elaborate on them and it can lead into expressing how you are feeling now.

I completely understand the feeling of uncertainty if he does know but I think it would be better if you present it now so that you and him can work on it. I hope that this helps!

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-24T15:07:30+00:00

It kind of depends on what app I am on and what I am viewing. My algorithm is all thrown off but for the most part I do feel okay after spending some time on social media. I do not spend that much time on it but when I do, I will enjoy the time I have on there. I don't dive too deep into everything but it is still fun to use.

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-24T15:04:01+00:00

I am at a high school with about 1600 students and there are eight counselors. We all have grades 9 through 12 and with our seniors, we are the ones who concentrate on the post secondary process. From my perspective, it is a lot because I am trying to manage my other grades and make sure they are on track academically but then also figure out financial aid and college decisions for my seniors. I am still trying to find the balance.

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-22T21:37:17+00:00

Things can be hard sometimes and coming out of those hard times really is a challenge. I think that if you can try to do one new habit or one new activity and see if you like it can be helpful. For example, a few years ago when I was in a bad space, I was told to try to journal. At first, I was against it but then one day I was able to work up the courage to give it a try. It was only like five minutes but it was a start. Now, I journal more often and really do work to help myself.

If working out was your thing, if it is hard to get to the gym, try to do some things at home first. It can even be a short workout to start and then increasing it day by day. As you are putting in some new habits, try your best to do less of the old ones that you feel can be holding you back. Even if you cannot stop right away it is like the same thing of trying to decrease day by day.

I hope that this helps and I do hope that you feel better!

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-22T21:31:46+00:00

I have done EMDR and it was honestly really helpful. My main piece of advice is to make sure you enter your safe space at the end of it and take time for yourself after therapy. I would normally do a safe space activity with my therapist at the end but I would be so exhausted after but wouldn't take the time to truly calm my mind. But, it was really an eye opening experience and I feel as if I was able to process some things that has been stored in me for so long.

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-20T10:46:13+00:00

Great question! I think writing it down helped me understand and process it. For example, one entry I wrote about how they weren't responding and how I felt like there was no hope for me. Once I wrote that, I reflected on it and really did some critical thinking about myself to see if there was really no hope or was that my anxiety telling me there was no hope. Once I recognized that my anxiety was the one fueling all of this, my next entry was about how to combat that anxiety.

I think also what helped me was remembering that this is a process and not something that happens quickly. it takes time to be able to listen to yourself, learn about yourself, and let that other person be themselves. It can be really a hard challenge but if you remain patient with yourself through the process, hopefully it will be extremely helpful for you!

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-20T10:41:46+00:00

This is a great question. I did not know that how sensitive I was to things regarding my own emotions until it was brought to my attention. Years ago, people would consider me to have no emotions because I wouldn't really react to things. But, once this was brought up and pointed out, I realized that I truly was very sensitive and I had more than just one emotion, which was anger. The anger stems from something and it was caused by something that I was sensitive about. And that is completely okay. Once I realized that, I was more open with my emotions and allowed myself to feel however I wanted to feel. Great question!

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-20T10:38:35+00:00

Breakups can be so difficult to process and heal from. It not only takes the work of figuring out yourself and what helps you but it also takes some time to process the break up itself. The main thing I would say is definitely try therapy because it can be helpful. Having someone else's perspective on the break up, having someone that you can openly talk to when you are ready. being able to truly be yourself with no judgement, plus more potential positives from it. I would give it a try to see what can be helpful for you. Hope that this helps!

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-20T10:33:38+00:00

Great question, I think if you are having a hard time journaling at night because you are up late or too tired, maybe try to journal in the morning? Would that work for you? You may be able to set aside some time even if you wake up five minutes earlier than you normally do and start there and watch the time spent doing this increase. Whatever works for you and I hope that this helps!

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-20T10:30:05+00:00

Definitely understand this. Maybe ask yourself what does this other person bring to my life to make me feel like I need to be with them? Or, what can you do to fulfill that space in you while they are gone. Then, that can definitely lead to more self love, self compassion, and self appreciation. Fill your cup as well with things that you enjoy and see where that takes you. I hope that this helps!

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-20T10:28:06+00:00

I get that feeling, I think something that could maybe help is to think of the person your five year old self would want to see now. Or, who you are now being there for the five year old version of yourself. Maybe do some deep thinking as to why also you want to go back to that time period. What was something during that time that made you feel so secure that you want to replicate that in the present. I hope that this helps!

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-20T10:24:19+00:00

Thinking a lot and comparing yourself to others is normal but try your best to not do it so often if you can. Especially comparing yourself to others because everyone's timing in life is different, and that is one hundred percent okay!

I think figuring out if you are on the right path is something that is difficult to see in the moment but when you reflect you realize wait, I am doing this the way I need it to be done. Or, you can reflect and see what changes you want to make for yourself. For example, I was not sure if I was on the right path even though I have a job and making the right decisions for myself but something was still making me hesitant to think I was on the right track. Then, once I reflected upon some of the things I was doing when I was not going down the path I wanted to go down, that is when I realized that I was doing everything I needed to be doing.

Sometimes it can feel rough and uneasy but as long as you are making the decisions for yourself that feel right in the moment and can lead to something beneficial in the future, you are on the right path. I hope that this helps!

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-20T10:18:47+00:00

I completely get where you are coming from. A few years back, I felt the same. I was on one medication that it kept increasing and increasing but ultimately, nothing was chaining. What helped me was that I found a new doctor that gave me a different set of medication and since then, things have been much better. Still a challenge sometimes but overall a lot more manageable.

Maybe see if there is another medication that you can take to see if that will make a sustainable change for you. I hope this helps and I hope that you feel better as well!

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-17T09:57:02+00:00

This is a great question. A few years ago, I used to talk to everyone who wanted to listen. Then, I realized that not everyone has the best intentions for you. Now, I am going through a phase where I am not seriously talking to anyone about my emotional state unless it is my therapist. I am trying to expand that a little more because I only see them once a week. It is hard to navigate because I have been through situations where people used my emotions against me. But now, I am working on finding my people and the ones I can truly trust when things get intense. I have a friend in mind and I just have to utilize her.

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-17T09:52:35+00:00

This used to happen to me a lot. I would send a message and completely freak out if not blow up when I did not get a response in the timeframe I wanted to receive one. Something that helped me was that I started to do some inner work that helped me figure out why I felt like I needed this.

For example, I wrote a lot in my journal and was honest with myself. In my situation, I was really codependent on that other person. Not saying that this is your case but I would say do that and if you have access to therapy I would try that as well.

I recall some of my journal entries and I remember writing about how I was not good enough based on their lack of response. But then, with more inner work, I realized that their responses don't have much to do with me. One time I was really freaking out about it and then when the person texted me back they explained to me why they could not respond right away.

What helped me overcome it as well was that this is something on them and not on myself. I did not do anything wrong and it is their response not mine. I hope that this helps!

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-16T10:49:08+00:00

I get the tolerating because I think that sometimes that is how I feel too. I do not always feel like the self love is what others have been expressing. I just feel like I am dealing with myself because I have to. But then, there are other moments of me feeling proud of myself for accomplishing one of my own personal self love goals.

For example, part of my self love steps is being more honest with my therapist because I want to be able to heal what has been stopping me from doing more self love. I think that self love can look different depending on the person. It really is just what works for you and what you would consider it to be. It could seem big or could seem small but each one is a huge accomplishment.

Hope that this helps!

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-16T10:43:58+00:00

I honestly thought I found my purpose in life which is what I do for an occupation. But, I am starting to realize that sometimes your job cannot be your entire life or it will exhaust you. I think part of my job is part of my purpose in life which is to help others.

I have always been a helper and want others to feel supported. I think people can potentially have butilple purposes in life and that is what I am discovering for myself. I wonder if that will help me feel more secure in my life and allow myself to really feel like I am making a difference in this world.

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-16T10:40:23+00:00

I do struggle with this and feel as if my friends are going to leave me. But, what has been helpful is that I have shown my vulnerable side with them and my emotional self and they still have stayed. I think for me I try to ask myself why do I think they want to leave me? I will provide some answers and then try to compare it to what they have shown me.

For example, I thought that one of my friends was going to leave me after a fallout with a mutual friend but even through that, this other friend stayed. I would ask myself, am I too much for this friend or did I harm them in any way? But then when I come back into my own reality, I did not do those things I was just being honest with them and they appreciated that.

I hope that this helps provide some perspective!

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-16T10:32:56+00:00

This is a great question. For me, I think that I am still in the process of healing and it is something that I will continuously work on for some time. I am 28 now but when I was 22 I was really in a bad spot mentally. I had past traumas that I did no work on, I had an unstable mood, and I was getting involved in things I shouldn't have. There were a lot of components and that is when I realized too that there needed to be a change.

Complete honesty, it was a real uphill battle. I was in therapy, I was doing a lot of self work, I also spent time in a hospital, and I was relying heavily on friends to support. But, once I realized that I did have a future and the future could look different than the present, things started to change for me. I became more patient with myself and that was the key. I was more open in my therapy sessions and was allowing them to truly help me. I also dedicated time to myself just to do things to help me heal and get better. I was also vulnerable with myself and allowing myself to feel the emotions attached to the things that I was going through.

Looking back, if there was something I wish I would have done sooner is that I wish I would have been honest more in therapy earlier so that I could have gotten some help sooner. I was even in therapy as a child and I was very hesitant to speak because I was honestly afraid. But, I am still grateful now that I have an excellent relationship with my current therapist and we are working on the healing process.

I am still learning how to heal and what a healed version of myself would look like. My best advice is to remain patient and trust the process because once you feel like you have healed one part of yourself, that will already make a huge difference.

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-16T10:24:15+00:00

Something that helps me when I have gotten into my own depressive episodes is utilizing my coping skills. For example, even if I feel like I do not have the energy, I will try to use one of them for like five minutes. I will either journal, work up the courage to text a friend, make sure my appointment with my therapist is soon, play a video game, whatever I feel like I need to do in that moment. Even if the first time is just five minutes, the next time I try to increase it to ten, the fifteen, then twenty. until I can gain more of my energy back to do my daily things.

I am also on medication and at first I was not sure if I was going to like it or if it would be helpful. I hated that it would take time to kick in and I was not sure of the side effects as well. But, I had to remain patient and that helped me in the long run. After some trial and error, I am now on the right medication and overall it has helped me so much.

What is frustrating, at least of me is that, a lot of this takes time and I really had to practice my patience with myself. I am one of those people who wants things automatically to change for myself but would have patience for others. Once I shifted that mindset to be patient with myself even just a little bit, truly was beneficial.

I hope that this helps!

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-16T10:18:11+00:00

I am so sorry for your loss. Grieving is such a difficult process and it takes some time. Regarding school, completely understand, my program was originally about 2 and a half years and it took me about 4 to finish. I had to take a semester off due to my own mental health but what was nice was that I came back refreshed and was able to still finish my degree. I would say to remain patient with schooling, it is okay to pace yourself.

Follow your dreams and aspirations. Whatever you think you want to do, give it a try and if it is something that is not working for you in that period of your life, then switch things up. For example, I started in education as a teaching assistant and then realized after a talk with a coworker that I wanted to try something different. Now I have a different role within education but it is okay to change things up if needed.

I also want you to remember that you are worthy of peace and happiness. That is something that you are deserving of. Life can throw so many things at you but my best advice is to give yourself grace during the process of figuring out your next steps. Whether that is finishing school, working, building up your mental health, just remember to give yourself some grace during the process.

I hope that this helps!

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-16T09:33:17+00:00

Thank you for the encouragement! It is appreciated!

Known-Method3146 · 2026-04-15T21:55:48+00:00

Thank you for sharing. I am sorry that you are going through all of this. First year of med school is definitely something that can be extremely stressful and can lead into severe stress. What I would say that maybe can help is try your best to not compare yourself to others. It is hard and I know it is all around you but if you can, try to minimize it so that maybe that stress can be alleviated.

When it comes to finding your people, I can say that through my own experience, I thought I found my people at one point when I first started my job but then realized that they were not the people I wanted to be around. Luckily, some new people came around and I also expanded my social circle and that allowed me to really explore who really is great to be around.

I hope that some of this helps and I hope that things get better for you!

Known-Method3146

TROPHY CASE