I was the first in my family to successfully graduate from college, let alone seek a doctoral degree from a medical institution. Imposter syndrome and academia-induced anxiety and stress are real (as evidenced by a variety of scholarly journals, at that!), and they can wreak havoc on mental health and wellness. Watching friends pursue more canonical life avenues of engagement, marriage, and children while working all day on campus and hours at night on the computer, coupled with ever-increasing stress related to research funding and academic stipends and salaries, can feel isolating, confusing, and even depressing. I'm here to listen, empathize, and validate your experiences, and I hope to share a little of my own hard-earned wisdom to help you become the confident, balanced professional student you yearn to be.