Alright, let’s talk about this whole “Match Day” thing in the clinical psychology world. Man, what a ride it’s been. This is the day when all of us eager psychology students find out where we’ve landed for our internships, which is a pretty big deal in our field. I woke up super early today, not even because I had to, but because the nerves were just too much. I grabbed my phone and started scrolling through social media, trying to distract myself with literally anything else.
So, the weeks leading up to today were a real test of patience. I found myself checking my email every five minutes. It’s wild how 16 days can feel like a lifetime. I tried all sorts of things to keep my cool. Started doing yoga, which, honestly, I thought was a bit of a joke before, but it actually helped. I also made sure I was getting enough sleep, about 7-8 hours every night, which was tough with all the stress, but it made a difference. I hit the gym more often, too, just to burn off some of that anxious energy.
I leaned on my friends a lot, too. We’re all in the same boat, so it was good to have people who understood the pressure. We had a group chat going where we’d share our freak-outs and pep talks. It’s funny how misery loves company, but it really does help to know you’re not alone.
To calm myself, I found a few articles online written by experienced professionals. For instance, I read some advice from this psychologist, Dr. Rachael Molitor. She’s a lecturer and admissions tutor at Coventry University. She talked about the importance of staying grounded, which I totally needed to hear. Another person, Erika Behunin, a licensed therapist, wrote about coping with the stress of Match week, which was super relatable. These folks probably saved my sanity at one point or another.
I even read something from Helen Kitching, a Fellow of the British Psychological Society and a School Head of Psychology. She had some tips on managing worry. Her advice was pretty solid, especially since she’s been through it all herself and really knows her stuff.
Then came the moment of truth. I logged into the system, heart pounding out of my chest, and saw the email. I clicked it open, and there it was – my match result. It took me a solid minute to process it all, but once I did, it was a mix of relief and excitement. It took a second to sink in, I read the email like five times just to make sure I was seeing it right.
I immediately called my family. They’ve been my rock through this whole process, always there to listen to my rants and calm my meltdowns. Sharing the news with them was such a great moment. It felt like a huge weight off my shoulders.
So, here I am, matched and ready to start this new chapter. It’s a bit scary, but mostly it’s exciting. I’m so grateful for all the support I’ve had along the way, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
If you’re going through this process, just know that it’s okay to feel stressed and anxious. It’s a big deal, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Just remember to take care of yourself, lean on your support system, and trust that things will work out. You got this!
