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

Transition to MIT

Adjusting to a new cultural and academic context

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: Jeba

    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
  • Read more: Annie

    Overcoming Language Barriers

    Before I came here, I took the English proficiency test…Each sentence in the lecture was exactly the same as I was taking that test.

    Meet

    Annie
    Undergraduate Student
  • Read more: Katie

    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
  • Read more: Jessica

    Feeling Homesick

    My first month at MIT was an absolute nightmare. Everything that could possibly be different was different. […] I was struggling in my classes. I didn’t have any friends. […] I just wanted to go home.

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    Jessica
    Undergraduate student
  • Read more: Magdalena

    Overcoming Language Barriers

    I noticed that my level of English was one of the poorest. And that made me feel humiliated. Embarrassed. So instead of practicing in order to improve the level, I did the opposite. I hid.

    Meet

    Magdalena
    Graduate Student
  • Read more: Neki

    Struggling with Self-Doubt

    If I quit now, there are stereotypes waiting to get confirmed, something like, what do you expect from a foster kid? So quitting was not an option.

    Meet

    Neki
    Visiting Graduate Student