Too dumb for College Course...

LegacyUser

I was accepted to do a masters in one of the most prestigious colleges in the world. This was in a subject which I thought I would love because I have always had a genuine interest in matters relating to it. However the course coordinator emailed a list of reading material for students to read through the summer and my opinions have changed dramatically.

I am reading some of these books and completely lost. I can't follow or take in anything. I feel completely out of my depth and like I have simply overreached intellectually. The course will also be heavily based on discussion and I have severe difficulties in verbalising my thoughts in relaxed social settings so I am apprehensive about how I am going to hope to do in front of a full class of what I assume will be very intelligent people.

I am trying to read as much as possible (irrespective of the fact that I don't understand most of it) in the hope that eventually things will click.

I just feel lost, I've paid for the course and its a lot of money and I feel like I am going to fail and be utterly embarrassed....

Ainekav

This happens a lot when you are sent an extensive reading list before you have even started the course. I remember taking a load of books that were on my thesis reading list abroad with me to start studying and giving up halfway through as they were so complex.
Once I started working on the thesis and discussing the subject matter with other and my tutors it was much easier to comprehend those large texts.

You have been accepted into the course so obviously those in this prestigious college think that you are more than capable of excelling in the course. When I got into college (also considered a 'prestigious' college in its field of study) I remember roaring crying because I didn't think I would be good enough for it. Turns out when I went there that I was indeed a small fish in a big pond, but so was everyone else. And I gardually found my own strengths and gained confidence in what I was doing. The prestigiousness fades a good bit once you are in there studying and living through it. You will realise that others feel the same and its a lot less daunting once you have been there a few weeks.

If you need to maybe see a counsellor about your social anxieties as you describe them and work on your confidence and your ability to participate in discussions. Get lots of practice before you go!

But don't let irrational thoughts and low self confidence ruin this opportunity that you have earned.

Best of luck

tony81

I did marketing in college. The lecturer was an absolute fruit. He'd download these convoluted psychology articles with buzzword after buzzword that no one outside that particular field would understand.. certainly not business students anyway.

Classroom discussion was a lot more down-to-earth and his end-of-year exam was more practical and marked easier.

It might help if you try to read other people's opinions or summaries of the articles. Also, chapters usually begin with "this chapter covers x, y and z", and at the end of the chapter there's usually a bit of a summary. You might also consider reading an undergraduate book that explains the concepts in a more simple manner.

Also, I highly doubt you have only one subject.. so even if it turns out not to be a strong subject, you can make up for it in others.

username123

That practically always happens me when I study! First time out its gibberish. Im so used to it now that I just take the approach that once I actually start engaging with the material, discussing it with other people, getting heavily involved in specific areas etc, that it will all become clear. And so far - it always has!!

Youll be fine - you wouldnt have been accepted for the course if you werent able for it, and I agree with the poster who said to see someone regarding the social anxiety issues.

Bubblefett

It's perfectly natural to b intimidated by the workload and material when you start a course- but that's why you're there- to learn.
Everyone will be in the same boat so don't worry. A college like that will have countless resources to help you too. After all, they want their students to do well. And you can always start or join a study group.
Best of luck OP! x

candyplanner

“I was accepted to do masters in one ofthe most prestigious colleges in the world” …… Need I say more , they would nothave accepted your application if they didn’t think you could do it , so stopdoubting yourself , this is a wonderful opportunity for you so grab it with both hands and make the most of it ……goodluck

Coffeeteasugar

Hi op,
I felt completely the same when I began my master's course, I was overwhelmed with the amount of material and the density of it!but I think alot of it was just a matter of endurance and perseverence. Give it a chance, you have nothing to lose and you'll be surprised how quickly you adapt to the volume of reading that is required. Discussion was intimidating at first, but I got more used to it over time and felt more confident about public speaking.Having an interest in the subject definitely helps too which you have:).
Best of luck with your decision.

Overheal

I don't particularly enjoy it when the whole course it dumped on me up front.

I would contact your instructor and share your concerns. You havent even started yet, I am sure you will be fine and that the feeling is normal.

Your best friend in college will be your Critical Thinking skills. It's not so much about what you know, it's about how you learn stuff. Don't be alarmed that you don't understand all the information being thrown at you yet. Don't even be alarmed if you haven't given much thought to Critical Thinking, it's a skill that is built upon over time.

I just read the lab I'm supposed to be doing this Thursday and it's all greek to me (Literally. The amount of Sigmas and Thetas that are in those equations have yet to be explained to me! :pac:). You aren't going to fail before the first day of class. Relax

Taltos

Overheal is spot on OP.
Their advice brought my own masters right back to me.
Go speak with your tutor - develop a relationship and if there are others doing the masters with you do what you can NOT to measure yourself against their performance.

What worked for me was breaking it all down - just focussing on individual elements, the next lab, the next exercise, current step on my thesis. Once I removed myself from the race and just focussed on what I could do in my own pace I found that I actually flew ahead. I also spoke on a regular basis with my tutor - getting feedback and bouncing ideas. They have seen it all so many times before that little will surprise them and they can sometimes give you little tips and tricks to keep you pointed in the right direction.

Congratulations on getting accepted, don't freak out at the mountain that appears to lie ahead of you just take it one small step at a time and you really will be surprised at how doable it all is.

She Who Dares Wins

Congratulations on getting into the course. I did my masters a few years ago and on day 2 sat through a two hours statistics lecture that was double dutch. I went to the library, checked out a Statistics for Dummies' book, drove home like a zombie, sat down with the book and couldn't even make head or tail of that version.....but got a 1.1 in the masters 18months later...not to mention the brain stretch that I hadn't imagined.

If you had to ability to get onto that course then maybe academic work came rather easily to you all along and now you feel out of your depth for the first time, you have to see that as a good thing in terms of your education. I agree with others who say that it will be different in person, where people can interact and question and examples are given. Think too of your regret later if you backed out now.

mickyboy

Statistics for Dummies being read at the moment for a Masters commencing next month. Totally lost but I know with a bit of hard work and optimism statistics/econometrics can be overcome. Always have the confidence to back yourself

poeticseraphim

Hi OP. :-)

Congrats on being accepted.

1. You are just starting if it were easy, you would be on the wrong course. It will get easier.
2. Often courses will intentionally be very difficult in the begining to weed out people not prepared to work hard at it.
3. They accpeted you so they must have seen something in you that made them confident that you belong on this course.
4. It is likely you are not the only one going through it.

KEEP AT IT :-) KEEP THE FAITH!