MAA Mathfest 2025 Starting Something New by Aris Winger

2025-08-07 15:18:12 UTC

Overwhelmed

Uncomfortable

2025-08-07 15:18:27 UTC

2025-08-07 15:18:31 UTC

Nervous/excited but isolated

2025-08-07 15:18:40 UTC

Confused and alone

Imposter Syndrome

2025-08-07 15:18:48 UTC

Like I did not belong

Insecure

2025-08-07 15:19:32 UTC

Lost, lonely, uncertain

2025-08-07 15:19:32 UTC

2025-08-07 15:19:33 UTC

Excited but the excitement eventually fades

2025-08-07 15:19:34 UTC

I felt lost, like there were hidden norms and expectations that I didn’t know about

2025-08-07 15:19:36 UTC

Excited, anxious, and uncertain

anxious

2025-08-07 15:19:42 UTC

2025-08-07 15:19:50 UTC

I felt very out of place, very unfamiliar with how things work in the mathematical community. I was also afraid that if I failed at this task, it would tell me that I didn’t belong, and if I kept trying anyway it would have to be in spite of all the “evidence” telling me otherwise. It was scary and daunting.

off-balance

2025-08-07 15:19:55 UTC

Making new connections/friends

2025-08-07 15:20:10 UTC

2025-08-07 15:20:15 UTC

Nervous but also very excited

2025-08-07 15:20:46 UTC

Uncomfortable and alone

adjusting to a new environment with new norms and expectations

2025-08-07 15:20:54 UTC

Hidden Curriculum

2025-08-07 15:20:56 UTC

Navigating new, implicit, expectations

Isolated

2025-08-07 15:21:03 UTC

I didn't see others struggling in the ways I was struggling, which made it feel like I was alone.

Soon, I felt overwhelmed, underprepared, and stupid

2025-08-07 15:21:12 UTC

Understanding the meaning behind project

2025-08-07 15:21:59 UTC

Finding my place

2025-08-07 15:22:00 UTC

2025-08-07 15:22:28 UTC

Navigating institutional culture. I wanted to do things the "right" way. I wanted to be accepted.

Being unsure of how safe it was to share my experience and feelings

2025-08-07 15:22:42 UTC

In regards to my first few weeks as a grad student

2025-08-07 15:23:00 UTC

I was a successful undergrad student, and underestimated how different grad school would be. I was almost immediately behind in my classes, and was also teaching for the first time. Often I would go to my “mentor” and they would say “just do whatever you think is best, everyone teaches slightly differently, you do you.” But I had no idea what to do!

Not sure I would be successful

2025-08-07 15:23:04 UTC

By spending more time

2025-08-07 15:23:14 UTC

Captivating but blinded

2025-08-07 15:23:25 UTC

I didn't realize at the time that I was afraid, and simply "blindly" pushed through; probably ignoring many aspects that would have been better to consider.

2025-08-07 15:23:27 UTC

Needing to establish myself as a valued member of the department. Like, showing I belonged there. It is still a challange for me mentally, especially with certain individuals.

Finding mentors

2025-08-07 15:24:02 UTC

I’ve always had to seek out my own mentors and have had to figure out who I can rely on by trial and error, is there a better way to establish mentoring relationships?

2025-08-07 15:24:11 UTC

I adopted a "fake it til you make it" approach, and it worked out 😄

Being more clear about what they are willing to do to support me, and where I need to go to other people for support.

2025-08-07 15:24:43 UTC

Introducing me to others, facilitating events amongst new grad students or faculty

2025-08-07 15:24:44 UTC

2025-08-07 15:24:55 UTC

Being open to discussing life and not just “professional” topics.

Transparency

2025-08-07 15:24:56 UTC

Helped navigate new expectations, resources, and norms.

Help me chart my situation

2025-08-07 15:24:59 UTC

2025-08-07 15:25:02 UTC

Explaining norms and describing next steps

Letting me know it was common and OK to feel lost and underprepared

2025-08-07 15:25:10 UTC

Not sure. Maybe I mentored myself by advising to not quit, do my best, and see what happens

2025-08-07 15:25:13 UTC

The same!

2025-08-07 15:25:14 UTC

2025-08-07 15:25:25 UTC

Being vulnerable by telling me about their own struggles when they were in my shoes

Belonging

2025-08-07 15:25:28 UTC

Assisted with connecting to others

2025-08-07 15:25:30 UTC

Taking me under his/her wing, showing me the ropes, and helping me discern non-explicit expectations.

2025-08-07 15:25:40 UTC

Proactively and repeatedly normalizing the failure that comes with doing hard new things and the feelings that come up around failure

Not sure they have the maturity to self-mentor

2025-08-07 15:26:03 UTC

2025-08-07 15:27:12 UTC

Ask me what types of support I wanted

by being more direct and initiating conversations that I didn't know needed to be had

2025-08-07 15:27:43 UTC

I think they feel overwhelmed - out of their depth. They definitely need some guidance to navigate their new environment.

2025-08-07 15:27:48 UTC

2025-08-07 15:28:00 UTC

My mentors helped me greatly. They shaped me into the person that I am by helping me feel heard and accepted. Showing empathy when others did not. Empathy is one of the most important things that is unfortunately severely lacking in the modern world. Some of my favorite mentoring relationsips have come from mutual understanding and empathy.

2025-08-07 15:28:39 UTC

Afraid to express doubts or ask for help

That it is their fault for not knowing more

2025-08-07 15:29:08 UTC