My father (a retired history professor) always says the dumber you feel, the smarter you're becoming. Your mind is expanding and filling with all the things you didn't know!

I used to work in academia (librarian here!) and my advice for new year jitters is to fake the confidence. There are so many brilliant women in academia who question their place in it while their male peers NEVER do. Take up the space! Ask questions. Stay curious and non-judgemental (of yourself) as long as you can. The pre-requisite year is going to feel so weird (I have lived it too!) and I know once you hit the archival courses, you are going to thrive!

I think school generally but especially grad school is always such a humbling experience. I’m in my second year of my PhD and I feel like I know less every year in classes & when talking to people in my program. I feel like that’s just the art of specialization and researching things that genuinely interest you. Anyways, this is just to say you’re not alone in that sentiment🫶🏻

From a professor's perspective: Share the thoughts you have about class with your professor! I love it when students engage with me this way, it helps me help them engage with the material on their own terms.

I did my undergraduate degree at the age of 27 - with no prior experience. I left school at 16, so didn't even do college. I was incredibly overwhelmed, but I made sure I caught up and I completed my degree with a first-class honours. I say this to encourage - it may all be daunting and you may be questioning how you're sat in a room with no idea what's being spoken about, but it will get better, I promise! You can do it.

My undergraduate degree is in performing arts. I am currently getting a Masters in Communication Disorders and Sciences and let me tell you, the beginning is hard. I  often felt like I was behind, I felt so insecure about my writing, I had no clue how to properly read a research paper...the list goes on and on. Now im almost 2 years in and big assignments feel like just another task on the list of to-do's. Nothing crazy, nothing new, not so difficult. Here's the trick--time management will get you everywhere and learning takes time! You'll get the hang of it. Find a good cafe to work at. Use school supplies that are beautiful and inspiring. SLEEP! Dont force yourself to stay up late for an assignment, find time during the day. time management time management time management. And environment. You got this!!

watching this today, October 1st. and I saw this video specifically then watched your Q&A to get to know you and, wow, I relate to you in so many ways (doing classes on my late 20s, in history, etc.). I'm a new follower!

I'm screaming , this is like the return of the OG cozy Lauren vlogs! :') I  also really love to take the bus cuz you get to read and daydream and people watch

i think it's important that you remember everything is connected! art is a direct reflection of all those things you mentioned, economic status, politics etc. you have a perspective that the people in your class would also benefit from :) true learning happens when you can look at something from all angles!

I’m a mom, work full time, pursuing my bachelors in social work! It’s not school that is hard, it’s the lack of time to yourself that drains you. I miss reading for fun a lot! But I love what I’m reading for school, and I just tell people I’m reading a lot of nonfiction this year 😂 I also tell myself this is a long term investment in myself. With AI and social media draining our collective energy it feels special to be using my brain? Anyways, you can do this, and it’s worth it!! (I remind myself that at least once a week haha) also… school is the best excuse for another cup of coffee.

Last year I decided to return to school and complete my Master degree, after a 3 year break. I definitely felt the same as you, very daunting to dip your feet back into the academic pool, but it was the best decision I made. The reason I didn't finish my Master 3 years ago, was because I was completely depleted and had no inspiration to write my thesis, so I decided to take a break. I felt quite ashamed that many of my friends went on with their lives, and I was 'stuck' behind with an unfinished Master's and working in a not-so-terrible-but-not-great-either retail job. But last year, when I started working and writing on my thesis, I found my creative spark back and wrote something I'm extremely proud of. I was motivated and interested in class, I asked many questions (without the hesitation of a younger me).  Fast forward to now, I graduated cum laude and my graduation ceremony is in two weeks. I'm a strong advocate of going back to studying when you're older, and you should be super proud of putting yourself in a position of learning again (it's very humbling at times). Good luck, you will have a lot of fun, I promise! Kisses from Belgium x

Honestly I just withdrew from my PhD program a few days ago and it's been so hard on me as a lifelong learner and student. It was the right thing to do for my mental and physical health but I am so sad. This video was very comforting for me, thank you. I love school and always will.

second year phd student here ! so so so much to read. remember that it's a huge transition and will take at least two terms to find a process that works for you. i highly recommend using zotero for bibliography and keeping all the readings organized, and obsidian for note-taking and synthesizing ideas. i am a pen and paper girl but these two tools have been majorly helpful!

I’m in the very early stages of working on my bachelor’s and the comparison bug is eating HARD at me listening to my peers talk about their process in such depth, already feeling behind. You’re not alone in this, everyone has their own different journey and path of adjusting.

school is such a humbling experience!

I just started a masters in my thirties after 14 years on the job market. Not an easy transition on my part. Your video is very relatable and inspiring!

Я нашла клад✨
Ваши видео настолько комфортные и пропитанные именно вашей атмосферой, что погружают и окутывают с ног до головы. Это были самые приятные 28 минут моей жизни.
Спасибо Вам большое🍁✨🫶

I just wanted to share my experience so you know that what you’re feeling is normal! Before I got my master’s, I was out of school for 10 years. I was also changing fields. A lot had happened in my personal life and in academia, so it was a major adjustment. The program also exposed me to all new information that had nothing to do with my first degree. School took up most of my time. Especially at first, before I learned what strategies worked for my brain. I found them eventually, and I’m confident you will, too.

One nice thing about master’s programs is that you and everyone around you is there because they genuinely want to be there. This is something you elected to do, and you get to learn about something that you are interested in. That curiosity was helpful fuel for me! Every program is different, but there seemed to be an expectation that students will not read all of the articles each week, and that sometimes you will only be able to skim because grad students usually have adult responsibilities.

As for reading for pleasure, I found that  setting a timer for 35 minutes a day was enough to finish a ~350 page novel in a week. Hope that encourages you. I hope you have a good support system and that you aren’t ruminating on how schooling will affect your “content.” You are allowed to grow and change and you do not need to generate a false life for an audience. Keep being you, the real ones don’t mind. ❤

I love your videos so much. Truly the only soothing and comfy videos on YouTube.

I am living for this series! I'm back in school too and very much trying to romanticize it!