CHC and Grad School: Reflections on My Honors Experience

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I am currently in the waning months of my graduate program at the University of Massachusetts, finishing up a Master’s in Public Policy at the School of Public Policy. As I begin reflecting on the four years spent at UMass, I find myself growing in appreciation for what Commonwealth Honors College has meant in my academic career.

Initial Thoughts, Initial Worries

Coming to UMass, I was never really certain about my path. Imposter syndrome, as with most, was a constant drag on my self-worth and esteem. I knew I had certain interests and I knew I’d enjoy studying political science in my undergraduate years, but I didn’t know how to succeed in a field like this.

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I took a selfie with former Chancellor Subbaswamy in my first week on campus!

I felt a sense of ease wash over me during my first-year seminar with professor Erik Cheries. Seeing an Honors alum become a professor at his alma mater gave me the comfort that I knew I was in the right place. If other students were able to succeed and share their knowledge with others, I could do the same.

It was also in my first year, taking the required Ideas that Change the World course with professor Deepika Marya, that I realized I’d be capable of much more in my academic career. The intimate setting, the small class size, and in-depth discussions prepared me for the structure of a graduate course—because it mirrored the classes I am taking now. 

We were exposed to different ideas and viewpoints that challenged previously held beliefs. We were encouraged to speak out and form opinions on pressing issues that affect us all. Professor Marya gave me the courage to stand up for what I believed in, and to translate my thoughts into well-developed opinions and essays—a skill that will always follow me throughout my career.

Preparing for Grad School

I always knew I wanted to expand my knowledge of my field and continue my studies. Ideas that Change the World only confirmed this belief. Other courses helped prepare me for my future studies, and the Honors College gave me unique experiences that enriched my academic pursuits. Honors students are allowed to take graduate-level courses and are encouraged to do so to fulfill Honors requirements.

The first graduate course I took was SPP 690: State and Local Leadership in the Millennial Era with former state senator Eric Lesser. This course forced me to critically think about policy ideas through a much more practical lens. The decisions made by policymakers have material effects on us, and Sen. Lesser hammered home that point. 

As much as popular media portray policymaking as decisions made by cigar-smoking elites in secluded backrooms, Sen. Lesser challenged that idea and gave us the on-the-ground perspectives that were informed by his time as a state senator.

Being exposed to the research done in graduate classes like these, or through colloquiums and seminars, both prepared me to write my Honors Thesis and gave me the tools to thrive in graduate school.

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I met a friendly snowman in Quebec City

I’d like to highlight how important my Honors Thesis class was in developing my academic skillset. POLI SCI 499C/D: Health and Healthcare Inequalities in the U.S. with professor Dean Robinson was one of the best classes I have ever taken at UMass. 

Not only was the course material interesting, but the trust and confidence that professor Robinson placed in us to complete a monumental project like a research manuscript helped break down some of that annoyingly ceaseless imposter syndrome I dealt with. 

I knew I was capable of writing a 60-page research manuscript because professor Robinson knew we were capable of doing so. He taught us how to research, how to organize that research, and how to answer questions with deliberative thought and confidence. An added bonus, of course, was the Quebec trip taken after winter break to study the Canadian health system!

These experiences encouraged me to apply for the one-year program at the School of Public Policy. I knew I had the tools to thrive, and I knew I'd be at a place that had already let me do so.

It is because of the Honors College that I am able to research topics I had no prior knowledge of. It is because of the Honors College that I can defend and analyze my own opinions, presenting a confident version of myself to my class and classmates. It is because of the Honors College that I am succeeding and can add those three letters, MPP, to my title in just a few short weeks.

Are You Considering Grad School?

To any Honors students reading this who finds themselves apprehensive about the thought of graduate school, let me leave you with this. You already have the tools to flourish in both your academic and professional careers. Commonwealth Honors College develops an environment that allows students to both explore their interests and become valuable members of any community they enter.

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Me at Undergraduate Commencement in 2025!

You may not notice it when undertaking your Thesis process, but that process is subconsciously guiding you to become a better writer, reader, thinker, and overall, a better person. 

Again, to those who may feel the same disillusionment or the same level of imposter syndrome I once had, know this: You are at the perfect place that challenges your preconceived notions of yourself and provides you with the skills needed to tackle any challenge, even graduate school.