Diagnosis: “I Don’t Belong Here” Syndrome<\/p>\n
Symptoms: Feelings of low self-esteem and confidence, worthlessness, anxiety, stress, depression, doubt. Wondering if one really has what it takes to be a UBC student.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, it is all too common this time of year for students to develop “I Don’t Belong Here” Syndrome. \u00a0With finals looming, you look at your midterm marks which maybe as high as you were hoping, and if you’re in first year, probably not as high as your high school marks, and you wonder if you’re really smart enough to be at UBC. \u00a0Your previous marks disappointed you, and your brain is tired now and you wonder if you can muster the strength to finish that final 100 metre stretch of the race.<\/p>\n
It happens to me too. \u00a0Since I can’t practice much because of my hands, the pieces I’m working on aren’t in the kind of shape I’d like them to be in, and all of my peers seem to be miles ahead of me. In my harp quartet jury (like a test-performance which you get graded on), I didn’t perform nearly as well as I wanted to, and I started getting in a funk. \u00a0Throughout the year, I feel less than confident about my abilities, and although my teacher frequently tells me that I’m doing well and that I’m talented, I can’t help but feel like I’m just not good enough.<\/p>\n
But the truth is, I’m doing fine. I’m just psyching myself out. And if the above symptoms sound like you, that’s what you’re doing too. \u00a0If I was no good at harp, I wouldn’t have been admitted. \u00a0Everyone who gets into UBC is smart. \u00a0So if you were smart enough to get in, you’re smart enough to stay in.<\/p>\n
Your courses are designed to be challenging and push you to your limits. \u00a0If you feel like you need help, that’s nothing to be ashamed of; that’s why UBC has tons of academic resources<\/a>\u00a0for you to take advantage of.<\/p>\n You do belong here! Try not to get discouraged. UBC chose you, after all, and they weren’t wrong about i!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Diagnosis: “I Don’t Belong Here” Syndrome Symptoms: Feelings of low self-esteem and confidence, worthlessness, anxiety, stress, depression, doubt. Wondering if one really has what it takes to be a UBC student. Unfortunately, it is all too common this time of … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a> Continue reading