Wanting to fill in the gaps with learning
Not really sure how to start this, but I’m looking for some advice from people who may have been in a similar situation.
I’m currently a psychology major and I’m really interested in working in a criminal justice setting someday, possibly even becoming a forensic psychologist. I want to continue my education in the future, but lately I’ve been struggling with feeling behind academically.
I grew up in the system and moved around constantly from place to place and school to school. Because of that, I missed out on a lot of important concepts growing up, especially when it comes to math, studying, and building a strong academic foundation. A lot of people learned those things over time in stable environments, and I feel like I’m only now trying to teach myself the basics while also trying to keep up in college.
Sometimes it honestly makes me question whether I’m smart enough or capable enough to pursue the career I want. I don’t want these gaps in my education to affect me to the point where I end up giving up or dropping out just because I feel behind compared to everyone else.
The thing is, I genuinely want to learn. I want to fill in those gaps, even if it means starting from the bottom and rebuilding my foundation step by step. I know it won’t be easy, but I also know I don’t want my past or my circumstances to define what I’m capable of becoming.
I guess I’m just asking if anyone else has ever felt this way or had to start over academically later than others. How did you overcome it, and what helped you build confidence in yourself again?