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

Stress & Mental Health

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

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

  • Read more: Jonathon

    Reckoning with Depression

    This isn’t me because I am not depressed.

    Meet

    Jonathon
    Undergraduate Student
  • Read more: Daniel

    Taking a Medical Leave

    I decided to take some time off from MIT. I went home to my parents house and realized that I wanted to make some changes in my life.

    Meet

    Daniel
    Undergraduate Student
  • Read more: Siyoung

    Dealing with Anxiety

    My mind is not at all calm. And I am riddled with thoughts, and anxiety, and stress. And they extend into this very unhealthy thought spiral.

    Meet

    Siyoung
    Undergraduate student
  • Read more: Teresa

    Reckoning with Burnout

    I knew that being a student at MIT was not supposed to be easy, especially given everything that I put on my plate. But what I was feeling seemed wildly out of proportion, completely different from what I thought of as normal college stresses.

    Meet

    Teresa
    Undergraduate student
  • Read more: Emily

    Sinking into Emptiness

    And it was this feeling of being suspended in nothing, just a complete absence of sound, and motivation, and realness that had struck me when I was sitting my bed. And I realized that this was something I needed to grapple with and I couldn’t just ignore anymore.

    Meet

    Emily
    Undergraduate student
  • Read more : HJ

    Managing a Stressful Situation

    I start feeling like my faith in my ability to be resilient and let this roll off my back is also starting to show some cracks.

    Meet

    HJ
    Graduate Student