Going Back to School: The Stress, the Struggles, and the Journey of Figuring It Out

Let’s be real—going back to school isn’t always the romanticized “new chapter” we see in movies. It can be confusing, frustrating, and sometimes feels like you’re trying to solve a puzzle without all the pieces. I know this firsthand because I’ve been through it. So, if you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed on this journey, you’re not alone. Let me share a bit about my own experience and what I’ve learned along the way.

Starting Out Lost and Falling Deeper into the Rabbit Hole

When I first entered college, I thought I’d have all the answers by the time I graduated. Spoiler alert: I didn’t. Like so many of us, I spent years trying to figure out what I wanted to do forever—and it didn’t help that everyone around me seemed to have it all figured out. Freshman year brought its own challenges, including a wave of depression that hit harder than I expected. The struggle of finding purpose, dealing with debt, and navigating a system that often left me feeling unsupported only made things tougher.

Debt: The Unwanted Companion on My Journey

Ah, student loans—the reality check that’s always waiting in the wings. I signed up for them because it felt like the only way to make my dreams possible. But now, the fear of debt sometimes feels like a weight I can’t shake off. And I know I’m not the only one. So many of us are out here trying to balance ambition with financial reality, questioning if the loans and debt will actually pay off in the long run.

The Endless Cycle of “Is This Enough?”

Transferring to a new university was a chance for a fresh start, but that nagging feeling of “is this enough?” kept popping up. Every time I made progress, I’d find myself wondering if I was doing enough, learning enough, or if my degree would mean anything in the end. There’s this constant pressure to measure up, and sometimes it feels like the goalposts keep moving.

Finding (and Losing) My Way Again and Again

The truth is, figuring out what you want to do—especially in grad school—can feel like a moving target. Some days, I feel inspired and motivated; other days, I wonder if I’m going in circles. The lack of guidance I experienced along the way didn’t help either. When you’re struggling to find answers in a sea of options, it’s easy to feel like you’re just floating.

Does My Education Even Count for Anything?

I know this is a question a lot of us ask, especially when the job market feels competitive and unpredictable. After all this time and effort, it’s hard not to wonder: Will my degree actually open doors? Am I really equipped for the “real world”? These are questions that stay with me, and I think they’re worth talking about.

What I’ve Learned (So Far)

While I’m still figuring things out, I can say this: The journey is anything but straightforward, and that’s okay. Education isn’t just about the degree at the end; it’s about learning resilience, building confidence, and finding ways to adapt—even when it feels like the world expects you to have it all together.

If you’re reading this and nodding along, know that you’re not alone. Sometimes, the process of figuring it out is where the real growth happens. And if you’re out there questioning, stressing, or maybe even struggling, that’s part of the journey, too. We’re all trying to navigate our way through it, one day (and one student loan payment) at a time.