Returning to school as a graduate student? Feeling a little rusty? Perhaps you have fresh notecards kept safe and pristine in a location you forgot all about. Locate your supplies and gather your courage. Strap yourself in because grad school is a long rollercoaster ride with many bumps, turns, and fancy new inversions. This blog post contains pieces of advice for incoming genetic counseling students who share similar concerns of transitioning to grad school after having gap years.
For context purposes, I am currently a dual degree-seeking student, projected to graduate this year with both an MS in Genetic Counseling degree and an MPH with a specialization in Genetics degree. I took five years off after undergrad due to various reasons, one including a profession change. That story, however, is for an entirely separate blog post.
First off, you are not alone. Feeling nervous about returning to school with or without gap years is perfectly normal. Though genetic counseling programs tend to be smaller, ranging between 3 and 30 students, someone in your cohort will relate to you on some level. The field of genetic counseling is filled with professionals that would readily hear your trepidations. Debrief with them. I would recommend reaching out to your fellow genetic counseling students and leadership. Allow them to listen and share with you their own perspectives and advice surrounding this major lifestyle adjustment.
Those preserved notecards will come in handy, be sure of it. However, be prepared to adapt to your graduate level courses and adjust accordingly. What do I mean by that? Times have most likely changed since you walked across the stage dressed in your cap and gown. Studying methods from previous undergraduate courses may not be as effective now. Anecdotally, I can remember holding on to my archaic handwritten notetaking ways throughout my first year as a grad student, exhaustively attempting to keep up with energetic genetic professors and boundless PowerPoint presentations. Let go of your pride and adapt your studying techniques to best fit each class and do this early. The sooner you adapt, the easier your life will be. Second-year genetic counseling students will have their own thoughts on which methods worked best.
Adapting to the workload of a graduate student is just as important, and time management is key. You have an advantage. After undergrad, you most likely entered the work force bright eyed and bushy tailed. Treat genetic counseling school like a 9AM-5PM job. You know what it’s like to wake up, make breakfast, work, eat lunch, work through the tryptophan, and head home. Going back to sporadic college schedules might include having odd breaks throughout the days and evenings. Temptations to nap throughout these days and putting work off will be thrust upon you. Sticking to that workday mindset can help maintain healthy sleep schedules and sanity while managing your workload and life balance as a genetic counseling student.
Lastly, imposter syndrome exists, and it exists in everyone. That feeling of doubting your own abilities can overtake your mind and consume. Knowing that others in your cohort experience similar thoughts can help normalize your own. Share your thoughts and feelings, you are in safe company. Remember, getting into the genetic counseling program is proof enough that you are fully capable of succeeding in your program and afterwards as a practicing genetic counselor. Hold on to that achievement - you can do this!
