2. James Lyda, Ph.D.
Student Health & Counseling Services
September 18, 2013
Cosponsored by: Student Health & Counseling
Services, Student Disability Services, and First
Generation Support Services

3. Professional/Graduate School is different than
Undergrad & the World of Work.
Yes, but how?

4. Until now, You = Big Fish

5. Still a Big Fish…
…in an Ocean of Big Fish

6. Another way to look at it…

7. Undergrad vs. Grad/Professional
Undergrad Grad/Prof
 More structured
 Less Autonomy
 Goal focused
 Short term memory
 Banking Knowledge
 Unrelenting Workload
 Time management
 Professional Development
 Learning While Doing
 Comfort with Ambiguity
 Career & Lifestyle focused
 More Autonomy
 Pressure to Retain Info
 Producing & Applying
Knowledge

8. SAT word of the day…
Liminality:
 In anthropology, liminality is the quality of ambiguity or
disorientation that occurs in the middle stage of rituals,
when participants no longer hold their pre-ritual status
but have not yet begun the transition to the status they
will hold when the ritual is complete. During a ritual's
liminal stage, participants "stand at the threshold"
between their previous way of structuring their identity,
time, or community, and a new way, which the ritual
establishes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liminality

9. Accept Change
 You’re an adult.
 You’re forming a professional identity.
 You’re getting too old for all nighters.
 Life is not “on hold” until you graduate.
 Your approach in the past may not work now.
 Making new friends and connections feels like dating.

10. It’s time to consider how you’re
defining success
Intrinsically Extrinsically
 Personal goals/expectations
 Knowledge of strengths &
areas for growth
 Lifestyle and Balance
 Professional norms
 Cultural influences
 Family
 Contribution to others

11. Boundaries and Expectations
 Embrace ambiguity. Practice flexibility.
 Learn to say “no”….or at least “let me get back to you.”
 Set realistic expectations for yourself AND friends/
loves ones.
 Stress and anxiety are normal and can be facilitative,
but…

12. Performance Curve
Performance
Anxiety

13. Work-Life Balance
 Does not mean a constant 50/50 split
Sleeping
Eating
Physical
Activity
Social
Life
Work

14. Quick Quiz: Yes or No?
 Do you secretly worry that others will find out that you're not as bright and
capable as they think you are?
 Do you sometimes shy away from challenges because of nagging self-doubt?
 Do you tend to chalk your accomplishments up to being a "fluke,"“no big deal”
or the fact that people just "like" you?
 Do you hate making a mistake, being less than fully prepared or not doing
things perfectly?
 Do you tend to feel crushed by even constructive criticism, seeing it as evidence
of your "ineptness?“
 When you do succeed, do you think, "Phew, I fooled 'em this time but I may
not be so lucky next time."
 Do you believe that other people (students, colleagues, competitors) are
smarter and more capable than you are?
 •Do you live in fear of being found out, discovered, unmasked?
From Valarie Young, Ph.D.

15. Imposter Syndrome
The psychological experience of believing that one’s accomplishments
came about not through genuine ability, but as a result of having been
lucky, having worked harder than others, or having manipulated other
people’s impressions.
Can lead to:
 Self-doubt
 Sense of incompetence
 Fear
 Immobility
 Stress
 Irony of praise
Wanna know what to do about It?
Check out next month’s Success Series Workshop, on October 16th!

16. Lessons from Geese

17. Use Your Resources!!!
Student Health &
Counseling
• 476-1281
Student Disability
Services
• 476-6595
First Gen Support
Services
• 514-0840
Learning Resource
Services
• 502-0319
Multicultural
Resource Center
• 502-1911
Office of Career &
Professional
Development
• 476-4986
Your Peers Faculty/Mentors

18. James Lyda, Ph.D.
James.Lyda@UCSF.edu
415-514-4730