Introduction: Say a Little about Yourself! {by 1/23}

For most of you this is your second semester of graduate classes (yay)!  Please answer the following about yourself: (1) Name?  (2) What college/university did you graduate from?  (3) What is your most effective coping skill for graduate school?  (4) What was your biggest take-away from your first semester of graduate classes? (5) What are your initial thoughts (or experience) about cognitive-behavioral therapy?!?

 

Your original post should be posted by 1/23.  Post your two replies no later than 1/25.  *Please remember to click the “reply” button when posting a reply.  This makes it easier for the reader to follow the blog postings.

 

*Strong suggestion: Write all your blogs on a separate document.  Then, copy and paste it.  This will make your life easier and less stressful in case something “wacky” happens with technology.

 

*Your first post may not immediately appear on my website.  I have strong spam filters.  So, I may have to approve your first post before it is visible.  I should only have to do this once unless you post in a different name and/or email address.

44 Comments (+add yours?)

  1. Hannah Leahy's avatar Hannah Leahy
    Jan 18, 2025 @ 14:02:32

    Hi everyone! My name is Hannah Leahy. I graduated from Worcester State University this past May with my Bachelor’s in Psychology and Educational Studies.  

    My most effective coping skill that I have been practicing throughout graduate school is using my google calendar to keep track of my entire life. It keeps me organized with classes, assignments, and due dates while also having all sorts of social events such as family time, friend hangouts, or workout classes. It allows me to stay calm and constantly aware of what I have upcoming for school or life in general.  

    My biggest takeaway from my first semester is that the skill of time management is necessary to complete assignments and exams in an effective and productive manner. It is different from undergraduate in the way where things cannot be saved for the last minute, and that it is a gradual process of completing work for different classes. 

    I learned about CBT briefly while in undergrad, but after my first semester, it really opened a new perspective to me into the world of therapy. I feel that I studied and gradually learned both the little and big aspects that go into CBT that a client will not know or understand. It was just very interesting to hear real-life stories from my professors, and be able to apply that to the material we were learning. 

    Reply

    • Nicole Lemos's avatar Nicole Lemos
      Jan 20, 2025 @ 19:37:01

      Hi Hannah, I am so excited to have another class with you!! I think implementing google calendar into my graduate experience would be tremendously helpful! I often find myself disorganized when it comes to keeping track of my day to day schedule, and I may take your advice on that one! I also completely agree that time management is CRUCIAL for graduate school!! There are going to be times when work is piling up, and by dedicating time to complete each task thoroughly is 100% necessary. Lastly, I also agree that within our last semester, we were able to gain a new perspective on CBT therapy as a whole. I think it can be used and applied to create meaningful and impactful change! I enjoyed reading your discussion and look forward to seeing you in class! 🙂

      Reply

    • Rachel Aucello's avatar Rachel Aucello
      Jan 21, 2025 @ 13:51:29

      Hi Hannah!

      I look forward to being in class with you again! I agree that time management skills have to change this semester for us, as I found that I was drowning in work at the end. If we are more proactive about upcoming due dates, we will definitely be less stressed!

      Reply

  2. Nicole Lemos's avatar Nicole Lemos
    Jan 20, 2025 @ 19:33:07

    Hi everyone, my name is Nicole! I received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Sacred Heart University in the year of 2023. I believe my most effective coping skill for graduate school is communicating with your other classmates about your experience. At first I was really shy and did not really reach out, and I think at times I had convinced myself that the stress and anxiety I had built up about graduate school was solely a unique experience. Once I had opened up a little bit and put myself out there, I realized that we are all going through the same thing and I was able to make some friends that truly got me through the first semester. I think my biggest take-away from my first semester was that within this field, experience is what allows you to grow the most as a therapist. I for one, am extremely nervous about becoming a therapist and worry often about whether or not I am going to be able to be good enough. However, within the first few years, I am going to go through experiences and make mistakes that will ultimately allow me to grow the most. I think initially I wanted to have all the answers for my future and potential clients, but I have learned that even the most experienced and well-versed therapists are still learning new things each day. I think hearing from multiple professors about their own experiences working within this field has helped tremendously and allowed me to lay off some of the pressure I placed upon myself. Lastly, I learned from high school and college how effective CBT therapy can be, when utilized correctly. I learned that this method of therapy is based upon the relationship between our thoughts, actions, and behaviors and how one change can produce a ripple effect. I am excited to be a part of a program that focuses on CBT therapy because I do believe in some cases, it can be the strongest and most effective way to help clients.

    Reply

    • Hannah Leahy's avatar Hannah Leahy
      Jan 21, 2025 @ 11:32:13

      Hi Nicole! Your reply was very appreciated, I am also excited for another class together! I resonated a lot with your coping skill of communication with classmates because it eliminated the fear that I was all alone. I also felt like it was just me who was super stressed in the program, but it was such a relief to lean on new friends where we were all able to calm eachother’s nerves! See you soon!

      Reply

    • Rachel Aucello's avatar Rachel Aucello
      Jan 21, 2025 @ 13:54:16

      Hi Nicole!

      I look forward to having another class together! I resonated with your comment about being nervous to become a therapist. I too have had the same thought process and it is helpful to know that I am not alone. Since we are all feeling similar ways, we can create an environment where we do not have to be nervous and can get the full experience we are looking for!

      Reply

    • Courtney Dolan's avatar Courtney Dolan
      Jan 21, 2025 @ 22:50:19

      Hi Nicole! Hope you enjoyed the break! I agree that reaching out to classmates was very helpful last semester and helped to alleviate some of the stress we were all experiencing. I have also had moments that I questioned whether I will be a good therapist but thankfully this seems to be a very common experience.

      Reply

    • Krystal Pixley's avatar Krystal Pixley
      Jan 23, 2025 @ 10:51:52

      Hey Nicole, I totally relate to your feelings about wondering if you’re good enough. As your role-play partner in 600, I feel at liberty to tell you that you definitely are, and are gonna be an awesome therapist one day. Your anxiety surrounding grad school is definitely not without company. If we’re being honest with ourselves, none of us know what we are doing 100%. It’s all our first time at life. But we will support each other through it. See you in class!:)

      Reply

    • Tea Tane's avatar Tea Tane
      Jan 23, 2025 @ 15:26:31

      Hi Nicole!

      I really resonate with what you shared about communication and how opening up to your classmates helped you realize you weren’t alone in your struggles. It’s so easy to feel isolated in grad school, but connecting with others can make a huge difference, both for your well-being and growth. It’s awesome that you found friends who helped you get through the first semester—it sounds like they’ve become a great support system!

      I totally understand the nerves around becoming a therapist, too. The pressure to have all the answers can be overwhelming, but you’re absolutely right that experience and learning from mistakes are key to growth. Even seasoned therapists are constantly evolving, so giving yourself the grace to learn and grow over time is so important. It’s also great to hear how hearing from your professors has helped you ease some of that pressure. It’s reassuring to know that everyone’s on a continuous journey of development in this field.

      Your insight on CBT is spot on, and I’m so glad to hear you’re excited about the program’s focus on it! It’s a really powerful therapeutic approach, and understanding the connection between thoughts, actions, and behaviors can create some amazing positive change for clients. I’m sure you’ll do great, and I’m excited to see how you continue to grow in your studies and practice!

      Reply

    • sinditane's avatar sinditane
      Jan 23, 2025 @ 15:34:39

      Nicole! I loved your post. I Soooo relate with your worries and anxieties about being a good enough therapist and making mistakes. I agree on what you said about continuous growing and learning no matter how great a therapist. Also, we should stick together and journey together in transitioning from school to professional life as a way to support one another through this journey.

      Reply

    • Alexa myerson's avatar Alexa myerson
      Jan 26, 2025 @ 11:59:07

      Hey Nicole! I felt the same exact way during our first semester of graduate school. I was also very nervous to put myself out there but I am so glad that I did. I am so happy that we were able to come out of our shells and get to know one another. It has definitely made this experience a lot easier! I am looking forward to another class with you this year semester!

      Reply

    • Michael Dixon's avatar Michael Dixon
      Jan 30, 2025 @ 13:37:38

      Yeah I would totally agree about the talking with your classmates! I had the same experience in undergrad too. I was really nervous to meet everyone and also start a new life stage, and I thought I was the only one going through it. It was only after talking to my classmates that I realized I wasn’t.

      Reply

  3. Rachel Aucello's avatar Rachel Aucello
    Jan 21, 2025 @ 13:48:57

    Hi everyone, my name is Rachel Aucello! I graduated this past May from Assumption with a Bachelor’s in Psychology (Pre-Clinical Counseling) with a minor in Criminology. 

    My favorite coping skill for graduate school is writing out all due dates in a planner during the first week of classes. I find this helps me spread out the workload every week, so I am able to complete everything on time with as little stress as possible. I also found that becoming friendly with my classmates is helpful when questions arise throughout the semester because we can help each other outside of the classroom. 

    From my first semester of grad school, I found that it would have been less stressful if I got assignments done ahead of time/completed something everyday. A lot of work is completed outside of class time and I found towards the end of the semester, I was scrambling to finish assignments (they were completed but with lots of stress). 

    I have some knowledge about CBT through my undergrad studies and going through therapy myself. I know it is supported by research, very effective, and have found it to be life changing when applied correctly. I look forward to learning more about it this semester!

    Reply

    • Courtney Dolan's avatar Courtney Dolan
      Jan 21, 2025 @ 22:45:23

      Hi Rachel! Hope you had a nice break! I have also found it helpful to write out all of the assignments at the beginning of the semester and also felt overwhelmed at times when the work piled up. It definitely helps to know that everyone else has similar moments of stress.

      Reply

    • Sam's avatar Sam
      Jan 24, 2025 @ 15:46:35

      Hi Rachel, I also find that putting all the major assignment and exam dates into the calendar at the start of the semester helps greatly with planning and managing my time!

      Reply

    • Michael Dixon's avatar Michael Dixon
      Jan 30, 2025 @ 13:38:35

      So real about the planner. Everything I ever have to do goes in a Google Calendar. I wouldn’t remember any of it otherwise.

      Reply

  4. Courtney Dolan's avatar Courtney Dolan
    Jan 21, 2025 @ 22:38:13

    Hi! My name is Courtney Dolan. I graduated in May of 2024 from Merrimack College and majored in Human Development and Human Services and minored in Psychology and Education. 

    Last semester my best coping skill for graduate school was to keep homework assignments and readings organized in a to-do list and to take time at the beginning of every week to plan out when I would complete each assignment. If something came up or something took longer than expected to complete I could generally avoid having to scramble to find time to do it. I think my biggest takeaway from my first semester was that it is normal to be experiencing a bit of imposter syndrome as a graduate student in the field of psychology. Nobody has all the answers and the tools to help every single person and it is normal to experience some self-doubt. 

    My initial thoughts about CBT is that there is strong evidence that it is a successful type of therapy. It is more structured than other forms of therapy which can be both a pro and a con. I have learned about CBT both in personal therapeutic experiences and in both my undergraduate and graduate studies. I am excited to expand my knowledge of CBT this semester and be engaged in a program that centers around an evidence-based method. 

    Reply

    • Nicole Lemos's avatar Nicole Lemos
      Jan 21, 2025 @ 23:18:01

      Hi Courtney! I’m excited to have another class with you!! I really liked your method of preparing yourself for schoolwork and scheduling time to complete assignments. It seems like a really good method especially since you have flexibility! I definitely relate to imposter syndrome, but you’re completely right that it is a normal experience!! Lastly, I really liked your take on CBT therapy and how it is also heavily backed by evidence! It was refreshing to hear that there are some cons to this approach as well. I hope you enjoyed your break, see you soon!

      Reply

    • Hannah Leahy's avatar Hannah Leahy
      Jan 22, 2025 @ 11:39:23

      Courtney! I am so excited for another semester together! I know exactly how you feel about the imposter syndrome when starting the program, and it makes me feel seen that I am not the only one. That is why we are all in together to help find those answers we do not always know. See you soon!

      Reply

    • Meghan Holland's avatar Meghan Holland
      Jan 23, 2025 @ 13:48:27

      Hey Courtney,

      I am with you on the grad-school imposter syndrome, so it’s comforting to know that we are in this together. As Nicole pointed out, your reminder that CBT’s structure can serve as a “con” in therapeutic settings is spot on. I’m curious to talk more about this, and what the signs are that CBT just isn’t working for a client.

      I look forward to seeing you in class later on! 🙂

      Reply

  5. Jalen Leonce's avatar Jalen Leonce
    Jan 22, 2025 @ 22:17:54

    Hi everyone! I’m Jalen Leonce. I graduated this past May from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. 

    My most effective coping strategy for graduate school is to develop designated times in my day or during the week for homework/studying. Depending on my schedule and when I have my heaviest work days, I will build a routine that includes time either at my desk or on campus for whatever school I need. This has helped me stay intentional about my work and minimizes my tendency for procrastination. 

    My biggest take away from my first semester is that assignments, especially during finals season, can build up very quickly. It is important to do them incrementally and not all at once right before they are due. Having this time management minimizes the stress and overall yields higher quality work.

    My initial thoughts from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is that it just makes sense. With a primary emphasis on the relationship between cognition, behavior, and feelings, I can see how it applies to almost all therapy with such high effectiveness. I feel justified in relying on CBT because it is so backed by research and evidence that I know I am doing choosing the best for my clients.

    Reply

    • Meghan Holland's avatar Meghan Holland
      Jan 23, 2025 @ 13:43:39

      Hey Jalen,

      You phrased your view on CBT very well– it just makes sense. If I could leave it at that for the rest of my life, I would. I appreciate that you have designated, intentional time for doing school work. I typically do it whenever I “have the time,” but that leaves me in a spot for procrastination. Maybe I’ll take a page from your book and try that!!

      Reply

  6. Eleni Kachadoorian's avatar Eleni Kachadoorian
    Jan 22, 2025 @ 22:24:16

    Hi everyone, my name is Eleni Kachadoorian and I graduated from Hofstra University in May 2021 with a BA in Psychology and Criminology! 

    I would say that my most effective skill for graduate school has been writing down the due dates for assignments in a planner and putting reminders for future assignments on random planner pages so that I wouldn’t forget to work on them. It’s easy to underestimate the amount of time you have to work on an assignment and the chaos of grad school makes it very easy for assignments to creep up on you, so this was very helpful to have small reminders to make sure I don’t unintentionally leave things for the last minute! 

    I think my biggest take away from my first semester of graduate school is that we are all in the same boat in terms of adjusting to the demands of grad school, managing imposter syndrome and facing the discomfort and uncertainty with applying what we are learning. It was very reassuring to learn that I wasn’t alone in feeling that way. Also, another big takeaway was that you truly are in charge of your own learning. Even though we learn material through lectures, a lot of the actual learning is from reading course materials outside of class and asking questions, and I truly realized the extent of this as the semester progressed. 

    My initial thoughts on CBT is that it’s is an incredibly effective intervention for a multitude of mental health struggles and involves understanding and addressing how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact and influence one another. It’s very structured and has strong empirical evidence to support it!

    Reply

    • Emily Vo's avatar Emily Vo
      Jan 25, 2025 @ 23:55:34

       
      Hi Eleni! I definitely agree with you when you say its easy to underestimate the amount of time you have to work on an assignment, As a procrastinator, you don’t think about it until last minute. We really are on the same boat on the imposter syndrome and adjustment to grad school and learning really does come down to how you digest the readings and connect it to the class lectures.

      Reply

    • Jalen Leonce's avatar Jalen Leonce
      Jan 27, 2025 @ 13:19:17

      Hi Eleni!

      I completely agree that it has been reassuring to see that we’re not alone in this adjustment to graduate school. Its definitely not easy but I’m thankful we’ve all been able to support each other and relate on this level. I’m looking forward to another semester with you!

      Reply

  7. Kathryn Bohm's avatar Kathryn Bohm
    Jan 23, 2025 @ 00:13:07

       Hi! My name is Kathryn Bohm but I usually go by Kate. I graduated from Worcester State University in 2022 with a bachelor’s in psychology and a minor in addictions counseling. 

         I think one of my most effective coping skills for graduate school is managing my time to prioritize self-care/activities I enjoy. I have the tendency to get caught up in my busy schedule and the first things that get cut are the things I enjoy. I always ended up burnt out in undergrad as I stressed myself out. I would set all my free time aside to work on homework trying to get ahead but had a hard time focusing when something was going on that I wanted to do instead. I wouldn’t do the fun thing but I also would not get work done. If I do something that brings me joy or helps me relax, I can focus on my work better. Taking the time this semester to manage my time to prioritize something that is for myself outside of school and work could be an effective coping strategy for me. It is important to have a good work/life balance but it can be difficult to figure out what that balance is. 

         I think one of my biggest take-aways from my first semester was that I am not going to feel prepared for a while and that is okay. I was stressed out by the idea of an internship at the start of the first semester. It was difficult to imagine ever being ready for it before my education was even done. I think the first semester helped me understand that no one is really ready for it and a lot of learning really begins as you get real life experience. Multiple professors and therapists described not feeling prepared when they started their internships. It made me feel better knowing I was not alone in my feelings towards starting an internship. It was also important for me to recognize that I’m never going to know everything, the learning never stops, but getting experience will aid in my learning. Even if I mess up there will be something to learn from it. 

         Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on understanding how thoughts, behaviors, and feelings influence each other. I think it tends to be a very structured therapy that is effective in many different cases. I really like that there is a lot of evidence supporting CBT. I’m really interested in learning more about it.

    Reply

    • Krystal Pixley's avatar Krystal Pixley
      Jan 23, 2025 @ 10:47:29

      Hi Kate,

      Amen to feeling ill prepared. You are definitely not alone in that and we are all in the same boat. We will get through this in solidarity! Looking forward to seeing you in class.

      Reply

    • Sam's avatar Sam
      Jan 24, 2025 @ 15:55:24

      Hi Kate,

      I 100% agree that a good way to cope with classes is by getting a good balance between your hobbies and your work. It is really nice to have some time to yourself and something you enjoy after spending a few days on an essay or test!

      Reply

  8. Emily Vo's avatar Emily Vo
    Jan 23, 2025 @ 04:19:46

    Hi! My name is Emily Vo, I graduated from Clark University in 2024 with a major in Psychology and a minor in Women and Gender Studies. 

    My most effective coping skill for graduate school would be creating a google sheet of all of my assignments and readings and color coding everything so that I know what I need to focus on each week for each class. I also make tab groups for each class on my safari so that its not an overwhelming jumble of different websites for different classes on one window and it keeps me organized and saves time. Also adding the classes on my apple calendar allows me to get used to my schedule each semester and make designated times to study and do work while also leaving room for social and self-care activities.

    My biggest takeaway from my first semester of graduate classes would have to be understanding that I need to be kind to myself but also stay on top of assignments and readings. Heading into this program, I definitely felt imposter syndrome and felt very insecure about my knowledge and abilities. However, I learned that this program is full of kind and understanding people that may feel this way too. I also overlooked how important it was to lock in to each reading for classes and it definitely would have benefited me to do intentional reading days before a class instead of procrastinating and causing more stress on myself.

    It has been very interesting and informative to watch certain cognitive-behavioral therapy videos for class the first semester. I learned a lot more than I had before I started graduate school. Watching examples and learning about it helped define and display certain techniques that just makes sense.

    Reply

    • Jalen Leonce's avatar Jalen Leonce
      Jan 27, 2025 @ 13:22:01

      Hi Emily,

      I feel comforted seeing how you wrote about feeling imposter syndrome because I have felt the same way since we started grad school. I think a big part of it is that we really are so close to already seeing clients and taking the position of a professional. Ultimately I think it is just important to acknowledge we are all together in this and possibly more prepared than we give ourselves credit for.

      Reply

  9. Krystal Pixley's avatar Krystal Pixley
    Jan 23, 2025 @ 10:45:07

    Hello everyone, my name is Krystal Pixley (Nichols College ’22). My most effective coping skill for graduate school is definitely taking time completely disconnected from my phone/computer as often as I can. (preferably outside, when it is not this cold)

    My biggest take-away from my first semester of graduate classes is that holding yourself to a standard of perfection is a sure-fire way to disappoint yourself. Learning requires you to make mistakes and in the end it always seems to work out alright if you try your hardest and believe in the work you do.

    I have a lot of experience with cognitive-behavioral therapy both as the patient as well as being in a helper role which requires me to draw upon the core principles of CBT. Identifying, challenging, and reframing negative behaviors and thought patterns have proven in my work and personal life to be highly effective in fostering meaningful, lasting change.

    Reply

  10. Lexi Myerson's avatar Lexi Myerson
    Jan 23, 2025 @ 11:40:28

    Hey, I’m Lexi! I graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. 

    The most effective coping skill that got me through my first semester of graduate school was finding a balance between work and play. This program involves a lot of time and effort that can easily cause one a significant amount of stress. Procrastination has always been something I have struggled with but I was able to manage my time better with the help of a planner and some discipline. I found it most effective to keep track of all my classes and assignments on a calendar. This way I could set aside certain times for my hobbies and other activities that I enjoy. I think it is important to find a balance in life as well as finding the time to take care of yourself. 

    The biggest takeaway from my first semester would have to be the importance of building relationships with my peers. When I first started I was extremely nervous to put myself out there and it took awhile for me to eventually get there. I thought I was the only one struggling with the amount of work we had to do until I actually talked to the other students. It was comforting to know that I was not alone and others feel the same way that I do. Befriending my yellow classmates has the graduate experience a whole lot easier to navigate through. So shout out to you all! 

    I am pretty familiar with cognitive-behavioral therapy because of my experiences as a patient in counseling. It can be extremely beneficial in helping an individual change their negative thoughts or behaviors that may be causing them significant distress. From my personal experience in CBT, I have found it to be highly effective in helping me manage my depression and anxiety when it may arise. Throughout my undergraduate studies I have learned the basics of CBT but was able to actually experience it when I was a patient. I am very excited to learn more about CBT in this course and expand my previous knowledge.

    Reply

  11. Meghan Holland's avatar Meghan Holland
    Jan 23, 2025 @ 13:39:48

    Hello everyone! My name is Meghan, and I graduated from Salve Regina University last spring. I studied psychology and neuroscience there, and miss everything about my routine in Newport, Rhode Island.

    Like most of us, this past fall marked my first semester of graduate school. It was undeniably a period of rapid transition, as I moved back into my childhood bedroom, started working part-time again, and was balancing a different genre of courseload. Throughout this, I found that my strongest coping strategy was knowing my limits. I knew when it was time to call it a night on academics and begin again in the morning; I knew when I had to prioritize my social life; and I knew when I had to lock in for schoolwork. This semester offers new challenges with the addition of another course and the search for an internship, but I am hoping to fall into a groove like I did last fall. 

    My biggest takeaway from my first semester of graduate school was that it is okay to be confused. I found comfort that my classmates and I were thinking similarly about graduate school, from feelings of imposter syndrome to uncertainty of professor’s expectations.  

    Overall, I have come to understand the cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of the strongest evidence-based psychological practices. Assumption’s emphasis on CBT was a deciding factor in my attendance, and I look forward to this course’s discussion of cognitive assessment. Though I do not have personal experience with CBT, the interaction between cognition and behavior is undeniable and proven to be strong treatment method in various contexts.  

    Reply

    • Brooke Gagne's avatar Brooke Gagne
      Jan 25, 2025 @ 11:51:59

      Hi Meghan!

      I agree with you that knowing limits is a major skill to have and utilize while in graduate school. Pacing my workload was a skill that really helped me, especially with lengthier assignments last semester. I also mentioned in my post about the comfort it provides knowing others have felt and think similarly about graduate school.

      Reply

    • Alexa myerson's avatar Alexa myerson
      Jan 26, 2025 @ 12:09:26

      Hey Meghan!
      I can definitely agree that understanding our limits and balancing social/work life is an important skill to have. This past semester has taught me the importance of managing time effectively and separating work from play. It is important to prioritize your studies while finding the time to take care of yourself. I highly appreciate your response Meghan and I cannot wait to have another class together this semester!

      Reply

  12. Michael Dixon's avatar Michael Dixon
    Jan 23, 2025 @ 13:48:38

    1. Hello everyone! My name is Michael Dixon. My pronouns are he/him. 
    2. I graduated last spring from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas with a degree in physics and psychology. I originally planned to go into physics, but after realizing at the end of my junior year that I had not enjoyed any of the physics research teams I had worked on, I added the psychology major and took a 5th year to finish it off. 
    3. My most effective coping skill for graduate school is to take “me time.” I found that in undergrad I consistently pushed myself too hard. In grad school, I am trying to learn how to take more frequent breaks.
    4. My biggest take away from my first semester of graduate classes is: I am in the right place. I have loved everything about CBT that I have learned so far, and I am excited to begin my internship.
    5. Evidence-based practice is a title reserved for treatments with strong empirical support. It is a process based on three components: 1. Research, 2. Patient Values and Preferences, and 3. Clinical Judgment. CBT is a school of evidence-based practice which focuses on changing cognitive thought and behavioral patterns to treat a wide array of mental disorders. CBT tends to have stronger empirical support compared to other schools of therapy.

    Reply

    • sinditane's avatar sinditane
      Jan 23, 2025 @ 15:43:01

      Hello Michael! I find it fascinating that you had studied physics and then chose psychology as a career. I share the interest for physics with you as well!
      And yes, I agree so much that taking frequent breaks is so necessary when doing schoolwork.

      Reply

  13. Brooke Gagne's avatar Brooke Gagne
    Jan 23, 2025 @ 14:39:15

    Hi everyone! 

    My name is Brooke Gagne. I graduated this past May at Worcester State University, with a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology.  

    One of my most effective coping skills for graduate school would have to be setting realistic goals for myself. I have the tendency to try and cram a lot of work into one day, which ultimately leads to me feeling defeated and disappointed in myself when I can’t get all the tasks done. The approach I took for the first semester was to be realistic with myself on what I could actually manage in one day, and what needed to be spaced out over several days. I automatically planned in things such as work/ personal events I had to be at, then spaced around realistic goals for how much school work I could do on that day. By doing this I was able to approach a lot of my assignments with less stress, and also feel more accomplished!  

    The biggest take-away from the first semester for me was that a lot of the feelings I had surrounding taking graduate classes and becoming a therapist were mutual feelings my peers also had. It was comforting to know that I wasn’t alone in feeling nervous. 

    My current knowledge of CBT is that this form of therapy focusing on thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and how these impact each other. CBT can help individuals reframe thoughts/behaviors to promote a positive change in their daily lives.  

    Reply

    • Tea Tane's avatar Tea Tane
      Jan 23, 2025 @ 15:24:25

      Hi Brooke!

      It’s great to hear about your journey and the strategies you’ve used to cope with the challenges of graduate school! Setting realistic goals is such an important skill, and it sounds like you’ve found a really effective way to manage your time and reduce stress. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by trying to do too much in one day, so prioritizing tasks and giving yourself space to breathe is a huge win.

      I also love that you mentioned how reassuring it was to realize that your peers shared similar feelings of nervousness. It’s so comforting to know we’re not alone in those experiences, especially in such a challenging field like therapy.

      As for CBT, your understanding is spot on! It’s such a powerful tool for helping people change their thought patterns and behaviors in a way that can really improve their well-being. It seems like you’re on the right track, both in terms of your studies and your approach to self-care!

      Reply

  14. Tea Tane's avatar Tea Tane
    Jan 23, 2025 @ 15:22:29

    Hi! My name is Tea and I graduated from Clark University. Now that I’m starting my second full-time semester of graduate school, I feel like I have a better grasp on the workload, though there are still plenty of challenges along the way. One of my most effective coping skills has been staying organized—whether that’s through using digital planners or setting aside time each week to prepare for upcoming assignments. Breaking tasks down into smaller, more manageable pieces helps me stay focused and avoid burnout. My biggest takeaway from my first semester has definitely been the importance of time management and prioritizing self-care. It’s easy to get swept up in academics, but I quickly realized that taking care of my physical and mental well-being is just as crucial as keeping up with coursework. Regarding cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), I’m really intrigued by it. I think it offers a practical, structured way to address negative thought patterns and behaviors. The idea of being able to shift our thinking to improve how we feel and act is something I’m eager to explore further, both for personal growth and for understanding how it can be applied in therapeutic settings. I’m excited to learn more about CBT and its potential benefits as I continue my studies.

    Reply

    • Brooke Gagne's avatar Brooke Gagne
      Jan 25, 2025 @ 11:45:15

      Hi Tea!

      I couldn’t agree more that a really effective coping skill especially for grad school is staying organized. I hadn’t utilized digital planners last semester, but after reading a lot of the posts it is definitely something I am considering trying out. I also liked how you explained CBT. I am looking forward to learning how to apply CBT in a therapeutic setting as well!

      Reply

  15. sinditane's avatar sinditane
    Jan 23, 2025 @ 15:31:15

    1. Sindi Tane
    2. Clark University.
    3. My most effective coping skill for graduate school is maintaining my morning and night routines of self-care (prayer, journaling, reflection), being mindfully present with myself. Secondly it has been forcing myself to do the necessary work even when I don’t feel like it, even when the motivation is not there, resting when tired, but pushing through after that.
    4. My biggest take aways from first semester are that grad school is more about learning the information to better prepare yourself for handling clients (rather than grades and passing class), that the difference between normal & abnormal can be debatable, and that a lot of decision in life, in society, in clinical and business setting are made based on Value Judgments rather than on other parameters.
    5. CBT is structured and well researched that it works. I also feel like it is not controversial and it is respectful to the individual.

    Reply

  16. Sam Wu's avatar Sam Wu
    Jan 23, 2025 @ 16:08:14

    Hi I’m Sam, I graduate from Trinity university

    My effective coping strategy is playing video games and doing something fun to unwind after a stressful project or test

    My biggest takeaway from my first semester is that there is still a lot I don’t know about being a therapist and that I feel like I would be pretty lost when starting the practicum this summer.

    CBT is the gold standard as it has a robust amount of scientific research and backing as well as being applicable for many types of disorders

    Reply

    • Emily Vo's avatar Emily Vo
      Jan 25, 2025 @ 23:56:00

      Hi Sam! I agree with your coping strategy, playing video games and doing something fun after a stressful assignment is also my coping strategy but also the reason why I procrastinate so it’s a win-lose situation for me. I also agree with you heavily about needing to know more and feeling lost about our future practicum and internship.

      Reply

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Adam M. Volungis, PhD, LMHC

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