Academia Tides | Preparing Before It Begins
Hello Everyone,
I hope all is well! In today’s episode we will be discussing Preparing Before It Begins: Confronting the Fear of Starting STEM Classes
If you know, you know: STEM classes don't wait for you to catch up. The semester starts, and suddenly you're knee-deep in lectures, labs, and problem sets that feel like they were written in another language. And if you're anything like me, you probably know the fear too well—the anxiety of being a beginner, of falling behind before you even start.
This post is about a pattern I've noticed in myself: fearing the challenge of certain classes so much that I avoid preparing for them entirely. I tell myself I don't have the time or energy during break, and then when the semester starts, I'm overwhelmed, behind, and silently wondering why I didn’t just face it head-on.
But here’s the part that doesn’t always get said out loud: I didn’t grow up with the same access, resources, or early exposure as many of my more financially comfortable peers. I’ve had to navigate a lot of these spaces without the head start they take for granted. And to be frank, I’ve failed courses—not because I didn’t care, but because I was running on empty trying to catch up from behind. By the time the semester ends, I’m left feeling incompetent, even though what I really am is just exhausted.
Over time, that exhaustion turned into something deeper: a fear of learning itself. Not because I didn’t want to grow—but because I was scared that even if I tried, I’d still fall short.
The Psychology of Avoidance
My therapist once told me, "Don’t be afraid of being a beginner. You can’t be an expert at what you don’t know. Everyone starts somewhere." That reminder helped me release the pressure to know it all and instead focus on showing up for myself and the journey.
I used to think it was laziness and procrastination. But really, it was fear. Fear of not understanding. Fear of trying and still failing. Fear of confirming the imposter syndrome that already lingered. And underneath that fear lived something even heavier: a lack of self-belief, low self-esteem, anxiety from not meeting my expectations, feeling overwhelmed by the complexity of the task, and sometimes simply not having the skills I needed to even begin.
And yet, avoiding the work never made it go away. If anything, it made the pressure worse. Because here’s the truth: waiting until the semester starts doesn’t make the material any easier. It just turns a mental weight into a full-on academic avalanche.
It is wild how imposter syndrome creeps in—even when you’re literally sitting in the same classroom, doing the same work, and facing the same deadlines as everyone else. Sure, you might have had fewer resources, but that doesn’t make you any less deserving. You earned your spot, just like they did. Don’t let fear and low self-esteem convince you otherwise.
So What Am I Doing Differently Now?
I’ve decided to take back control of my learning timeline. Before the semester even begins, I’m:
Checking RateMyProfessors and university forums for what previous students recommend.
Watching introductory YouTube videos on the core concepts of the course.
Or logging into ClutchPreps
this is an affiliate link!
Emailing the professor before the semester starts to request the textbook information, reading the chapters in advance, and preparing a few clarification questions to ask during the first week of class. This way, I’m not just passively absorbing—I’m actively engaging with the material before it even hits the syllabus.
This allows yourself to get comfortable with the terminology and expectations of the course so we're not learning and panicking at the same time.
Putting my professors to work. They’re a resource, even if their teaching style leaves a lot to be desired. My therapist reminded me: just because I didn’t come in with every advantage doesn’t mean I can’t demand clarity. I have every right to be in that seat—same class, same struggle. So I will absolutely sit in office hours and ask every question until I fully understand. That’s what they’re paid for.
It's Not About Mastery—It's About Familiarity
This isn’t about becoming an expert before Day 1. It’s about giving myself the mental and emotional runway to enter class with clarity instead of chaos. It’s about softening the fear by meeting it halfway—by gaining exposure, building curiosity, and reminding myself that I belong in the room.
A Note to My Past Self (And Maybe Yours)
To the me who kept putting it off because she was scared: You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be present. Preparedness is a form of self-compassion. A little effort now is a gift to your future self—one that says, "I believe in you enough to help you get started."
🎥 Coming Soon: My Pre-Semester Prep Routine on YouTube
If you’re curious what this actually looks like, I’m documenting my preparation process and sharing it on my channel. From the resources I’m using to how I schedule my time, consider it a behind-the-scenes of academic courage in motion.
📖 Final Thoughts
Have you ever held yourself back from preparing because you were scared to begin? Drop your story in the comments. Let’s build new habits—one pre-semester at a time.
