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West Virginia University Carruth Center
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Resources for Graduate and Professional Students

The Carruth Center is available to assist graduate and professional students. We provide a range of services to support students in their personal and professional endeavors with the goal of promoting well-being in all aspects of their lives. Grad school is a unique experience, one that can be intense and challenging, but also rewarding.

While in graduate or professional school, students may experience difficulties such as:

  • Adjusting to life as a graduate and/or professional student 
  • Managing the workload, along with other responsibilities 
  • Performance anxiety 
  • Feeling like an imposter 
  • Anxiety 
  • Sadness 
  • Burnout 
  • Substance misuse 
  • Interpersonal problems 
  • Setting boundaries  
  • Isolation 
  • Lack of self-care 
  • Attention concerns 
  • Sleep difficulties

Graduate Student Services at Carruth:

We offer a variety of services to address these and other difficulties. We encourage you to reach out to make an initial appointment to discuss with a counselor areas where you may be struggling and how we can assist you. Be sure to review the options for Group Counseling, which offers several groups and workshops aimed at providing psychoeducation and support in the above-mentioned difficulties that can impact graduate and professional students.

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On Campus Resources

Self-Help Resources

The Professional Quality of Life

The ProQOL (Professional Quality of Life) is an assessment designed for graduate/professional students in helping professions. The website is loaded with additional self-care resources for many of the above-mentioned concerns.

Explore the ProQOL Measure

Self Care Tools

Here are some resources to enhance well-being:

  • Better Sleep (ProQOL)  -  All of us can experience moments of sleep disturbance or problems sleeping well for a variety of reasons including stressful events during the day, anxiety problems, trouble at work or in our private life.
  • Boundaries (ProQOL)  - Many people in caring professions, including healthcare professionals, struggle to set boundaries between work and personal life. However, without good boundaries that give our bodies and minds a chance to rest, the resulting overwork and boundless emotional investment can impact our bodies, minds and  relationships negatively.  
  • Breathing (ProQOL)  - When we start to feel anxious, upset or uncomfortable, our breathing is one of the first things that changes. It usually becomes faster, shallower and less smooth.  
  • Progressive Muscle Relaxation (ProQOL) - Our bodies and brains communicate with each other through chemical and electric signals. This  means that when we feel stressed our muscles can tense up. The tension in our muscles then sends  signals back to our brains that they are tense, which can increase our level of mental stress. 
  • Passive Muscle Relaxation to Manage Anxiety and Stress - YouTube
  • Mindfulness and Wellness (wvumedicine.org) - Mindfulness programs at WVU Medicine
  • Mindfulness (ProQOL) - This handout will guide you through the principles and practice of mindfulness.  
  • Self compassion - With self-compassion, we give ourselves the same kindness and care we’d give to a good friend.

10 Facets of Resiliency

Life as a graduate and professional student can be taxing. Learn more about components of resiliency to work through adverse, challenging situations.

10 Facets of Resilience During COVID-19 | The University of Kansas Health System


Assumption versus reality, what I know versus what I think others know

Imposter Fears

Ever feel like a fraud or have the feeling that everyone around you knows more than you do? Imposter fears are common amongst graduate/professional students. Here are two articles to learn more about imposter fears and some tips on how to address them.

  • Feel like a fraud? - Many graduate students question whether they are prepared to do the work they do. Here's how to overcome that feeling and recognize your strengths.
  • What Is Imposter Syndrome? - Impostor syndrome is an internal experience of believing that you are not as competent as others perceive you to be, as if you are a fraud. 
Coping with imposter fears
Imposter fears: feeling like a fraud

Note: Read a text version of images
Reference (video):  Becoming a Resilient Scientist - Understanding Cognitive Distortions & Imposter Fears

Assertive Communication

Learning how to communicate effectively with others is an important skillset. Graduate and professional students may struggle with assertive communication due to several different reasons. Perhaps there is a power differential. Maybe you are worried you might offend someone. 

Assertive communication bridges the gap between passive and aggressive communication styles and emphasizes the needs of both parties involved in a conversation. Assertive communication is meant to be direct, but respectful. Here is an article on assertive communication:

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