Defining the Challenges

When you’re struggling in a class, balancing too many commitments, or feeling anxious about your research, it’s important to know that you are not alone.

Filtered by

Overcoming setbacks and improving performance in classes and research

  • Academic/Professional Performance

    Overcoming setbacks and improving performance in classes and research

  • Balance

    Managing time, energy, and competing priorities

  • Career/Paths

    Finding a fulfilling academic or career path

  • COVID

    Reflecting on the effects of a global pandemic on life as a student

  • Stress & Mental Health

    Coping with mental health concerns beyond the typical stresses of student life

  • Transition to MIT

    Adjusting to a new cultural and academic context

  • All Challenges

Video Story

Defining a Dissertation Project

I internalized the fact that I did not know what I was working on as an inadequacy of myself and not being good enough, smart enough to think of an idea.”

Meet Jennifer,

Graduate Student

Video Story

Overcoming a Failed Research Project

This is debatably the most important project I've had in my life so far and why is it coming to a total halt right now?”

Meet Evan,

Graduate Student

Video Story

Struggling with Self-Doubt

I was not able to identify an interesting problem to work on after so much effort. Like, am I even competent? Am I fit to do research if I'm not able to do this very simple task?”

Meet Pradeep,

Graduate Student

Video Story

Struggling with Self-Doubt

Facing the quals challenge really made me feel like I was not necessarily going to be competent enough to do it. I might not even be capable of doing it.”

Meet Mary,

Graduate Student

Video Story

Struggling with Self-Doubt

I kept on kind of questioning my ability to be here, my competencies.”

Meet Gerardo,

Graduate Student

Video Story

Working on Class Performance

Even despite all the work I was putting in, I didn't see any improvements in my grades.”

Meet Jeba,

Undergraduate Student

Video Story

Working on Class Performance

I was left with the official lowest score in the class...I started questioning whether I should still be a neuroscientist, whether this was the path for me.”

Meet Katie,

Undergraduate Student