The Spookiest Part of Grad School: What's Truly Scary (and What Isn't)
Graduate school may feel like walking through a haunted house of deadlines, dense
readings, and mysterious expectations. There are moments that make your heart race, your
coffee supply disappear, and your confidence waver. But as many students discover,
the things that seem most intimidating at first often turn out to be far less frightening
once you face them head-on.
We asked several graduate students to share what scared them most about starting grad school and how they overcame those fears. Their stories show that even the most haunting moments come with valuable lessons, growth, and a few surprising bright spots.
The Fear of the ‘Online’ Unknown
For Lilly Davis, a Master of Professional Science student, the start of grad school
felt more like logging into a mystery than stepping onto campus. Her fear was “having
all online classes.”
Many new graduate students can relate to that sense of uncertainty. Online classes
can feel isolating at first, especially when you are trying to build connections and
adapt to a new academic rhythm.
Ryan Crane, an Exercise Science Master’s student, shared a similar concern before
starting his program. He was not used to “having every class online. It is not as
bad as I imagined. I have found positive ways to get all of the work done.”
Once he found his balance, he discovered that structure and time management made all
the difference. Ryan reflected that “they (online classes) are not as intimidating
as they seem. The course load can be managed with good time management.”
Ryan even found unexpected joy in his coursework.
“I have enjoyed having more projects to work on rather than tests. I find that you can be more creative in grad school assignments rather than undergrad.
What began as an intimidating shift turned into an opportunity for flexibility, independence, and creativity. With focus and consistency, even an online format can become a space for success, not fear.
The Haunted Readings
For Sydney Looper, a Counseling and Psychology MA student, the scariest part of grad
school was not the presentations or the workload, it was something far more familiar
to every student.
“The chapter readings.”
Few things are more daunting than a syllabus full of lengthy readings and research articles. At first glance, it can feel like the academic equivalent of a horror novel. But once you find your rhythm, those readings start to make sense. They’re the foundation of your expertise and the gateway to deeper understanding in your field.
The secret is to take it one section at a time, stay organized, and remind yourself that every page you read brings you one step closer to mastery.
The Imposter’s Curse
Grace Reitcher, an MS student in Chemistry, found that the ‘most haunting’ feeling wasn’t the workload or the classes, it was the ‘quiet whisper of doubt.’
“It’s a lot of imposter syndrome. I still feel like I might not really belong here.”
Like many graduate students, Grace feared that starting over at a new school with tougher classes would be overwhelming. But once she settled in, those fears began to fade.
“The classes turned out to be less scary than I thought. I expected it to be way harder,
but if anything, I find it easier, just busier.”
She discovered that the grad community was not the intimidating crowd she imagined.
It was welcoming and supportive.
When asked what she’d tell someone nervous about starting grad school, her advice was simple but powerful:
“There’s a reason people believe in you and chose you for your program. It’s hard, but it’s fun and exciting and very much worth it.”
Grace’s story is a reminder that while imposter syndrome may linger like a ghost, it loses its power the moment you recognize your place and purpose.
The Writing Wraith
Tyler Edwards, a graduate student in Engineering, shared that even as he became more confident in his studies, one thing still sends a chill down his spine.
“Writing will always be an intimidating part of grad school, whether working on journal papers or writing your thesis.”
He admitted that he initially feared advanced coursework, especially after taking some time off between undergrad and graduate school.
“I thought 6000 and 7000 level classes would be terrifying, especially when I took some time off between undergrad and grad school. Professors in grad school tend to be even more supportive than in undergrad, however, so that fear was alleviated pretty quickly.”
Tyler found that his undergraduate experience prepared him better than he expected, and the smaller class sizes in graduate school made it easier to reach out for help.
“Grad school is a six out of ten on the spooky scale, though the scariest part is writing by far. Writing is seven or eight out of ten, with classes only hitting the four out of ten mark.”
While writing may always be challenging, it also becomes one of the most rewarding skills developed in graduate school. Every paper written is a step toward clarity, confidence, and professional growth.
How Spooky Is Grad School Really?
Most students agree that grad school might start out a little scary, but it is far from a horror story. Ryan rated it a three out of ten on the spooky scale, explaining that while the work can be demanding, it is manageable with discipline and planning. Tyler gave it a six out of ten, noting that writing remains the toughest part, but supportive professors and a strong foundation make the experience much less intimidating than expected.
Grace added that while the fear of not belonging can feel overwhelming at first, it fades with time and connection. Grad school, she found, is less about being perfect and more about growing into your potential.
What’s clear is that graduate school challenges you in the best ways. It pushes you to grow, adapt, and discover just how capable you really are.
From Scary to Spectacular
The truth is, graduate school will test your limits, but it will also expand them. The things that once seemed frightening eventually become sources of pride. You will look back and realize that every late night, every paper, and every small victory helped shape you into the professional you were meant to become.
So as you take on your next project or exam, remember that every ghost of doubt fades with persistence and support. Grad school may begin with a few scares, but it ends with confidence and transformation.
The only truly spooky thing about grad school is how much you will grow before it’s over.