Post Dclin Application submission: What now?
- Psychology Cap
- Nov 23, 2024
- 7 min read
Congratulations on submitting your application! By doing so, you've not only taken the first step toward becoming a clinical psychologist, but you've also triumphed over the doubts and challenges that can arise along the way. You've pushed past the voice of imposter syndrome that might have told you "you weren't ready", navigated the pressures of balancing your other responsibilities, and faced the stress of applying to a program you've likely dreamed of for years. This milestone deserves to be celebrated! In this blog post, we'll guide you through managing the next steps in the process, offering valuable advice from four current trainees on handling stress, maintaining work-life balance, and staying focused as you continue on your journey.
Grace Kwao
What strategies do you use to manage stress during the application process?
Think about it like a marathon not a sprint to avoid burning yourself out – if you put too much stress and anxiety in the application and hearing back, by the time it gets to an exam or interview time you might end up being burnt out. Think of it as a gradual process and conserve your energy for when you need it most e.g. tests and interview
Try to remember that you have done everything within your control! What happens after the application is in the hands of the course team and you cannot do anything to change it now - its wasted energy to stress about it now.
Find distractions – whether that is work, doing things you enjoy, picking up a new hobby.
Live your life! It’s a long process and life doesn’t stop for the doctorate – you don’t want your whole year to be defined by the doctorate as if you don’t get on this year, you don’t want to look back on the year and wish you had done more.
Have a back up plan – This might not be helpful for everyone but was most certainly helpful for me. Having a plan in case it doesn’t work out, helped me to feel more in control of my life and reminded me that clinical psychology isn’t everything.
How do you prioritise self-care while balancing study and personal life?
This is actually quite hard for me to answer as I am currently failing at this! In an ideal world, I think managing your time effectively during the hours of 9-5 (less yapping with colleagues haha) would lead you to get everything done during work hours so nothing spills over into the evenings/ weekends.
I also just listen to my body – if my body is feeling really tired and weak then studying or work-related tasks have to wait!
I also try to schedule in an activity I enjoy every weekend or every 2 weekends to remind myself I have a life outside of this and keep myself grounded.
What advice would you give to applicants to stay focused and positive during this time?
Firstly congratulate yourself as submitting the application is literally the first hurdle and its so hard to condense your experiences and personality to just a few characters on a paper.
I think its okay and normal to feel anxious and worried about the application and during the application period. The more you try not to think about something, the more you will think about it. I think its unrealistic to say dont think about it at all.
I would say, give yourself ring fenced time in the week where you are going to worry about clinical psychology and the application and keep the worrying to that time only. For example, maybe on a Friday night between the hours of 8-9 you’re going to worry about the dclin and then when it hits 9, you will think about something else. Almost like a boundaried time to worry!
Don’t do what I did and frantically check emails or courses twitter pages as that is unhelpful and a waste of time – reserve email checking to close to the deadline of when courses need to tell you the outcome of your application. Even then, keep email checking to a certain time in a day so it doesn’t become obsessive
Connor Watkin
What strategies do you use to manage stress during the application process?
I think in terms of managing stress during the application process, whilst easier said than done, I tried not to think about it too much. I used worry management on myself and concluded that it's out of my control once submitted and there's nothing you can do to influence whether you'll be shortlisted or not.
How do you prioritise self-care while balancing study and personal life?
I prioritise self-care by staying as boundaried as I can. I use my study days so I have found that my doctorate is not bleeding into my evenings and weekends, allowing me to do things I enjoy and spend time with the people I care about.
What advice would you give to applicants to stay focused and positive during this time?
My advice is just to not let this process define your value. It feels like this huge pedestal and that the world depends on it. It's just a job/course. Getting on or not each year doesn't define your worth in any way. It's a hugely competitive process so just be kind to yourself.
Good luck with your journey!
Haleemah Ahmed
What strategies did you use to manage stress during the application process?
The application cycle can evoke strong feelings of stress, so managing my stress was crucial for getting through it. I relied on stress-relieving techniques I was already familiar with, such as going for a run. I also explored new stress management strategies as I progressed through the cycle, including practicing mindfulness. Drawing on the support of those around you—such as colleagues, friends, and family—can also be a simple but effective way to manage stress.
How do you prioritise self care whilst balancing study and personal life?
Although admittedly challenging, I always make time to schedule self-care between placement, study, and social life. This usually takes the form of a “Sunday reset day,” where I disconnect from the doctorate and focus on who I am outside of my trainee role. Self-care has also taken other forms, such as listening to my body when I feel stressed or overwhelmed, prioritising sleep, and making time for what is important to me, like seeing friends.
What advice would you give to applicants to stay focused and positive during this time?
Draw on your strengths—what has helped you navigate stressful periods in the past? Celebrate every milestone (that includes submitting your application!). The doctorate application process is highly competitive, so remember to be kind to yourself and to others who are also applying. Figure out what does and does not work for you in terms of managing stress and remaining focused - it is okay to trial and error new techniques!
Amrita Dosanjh
Strategies to manage stress:
Taking regular breaks. I’d always find the best ideas/reflections would come once I’d stepped away from the application for a bit and came back to it. Spending too long trying to write or focus would raise stress levels & meant I wasn’t doing my best work
Talking to others who are applying really helped me. I know for some it can add extra anxiety but I enjoyed venting about the process and checking in with other people who understand the profession & what you’re going through
Organisation. It can be overwhelming at the best of times so my way to manage that was setting aside sections to reflect on/write out each day to break it down. This defo helped me feel less stressed & the whole writing process feel more manageable
Prioritising self care
I know I wasn’t the best at this but definitely celebrate small wins. It’s a tough process so reward yourself for each paragraph or thing you get done.
It’s also good practice for training where you’re having to balance multiple demands that are at times quite stressful so reminding yourself of the bigger picture & how it’s a helpful skill to start building now for the rest of your career
Advice for staying positive/focused
Have fun with it, go to a nice coffee spot or drive to a nice viewpoint. Take your notebook & just start reflections. It makes the process much more enjoyable
Use your support network!
Remind yourself that the whole process is a learning curve. Any outcome is a way to shape future development and that’s the whole point of our profession
Don’t let it consume you, try & strike a good balance
You’ve got this - you know more than you think!
Congratulations on reaching this significant milestone! While there are still a few more steps before you achieve your goal, this is a huge accomplishment. We hope this post has provided you with valuable strategies to recognise and celebrate your progress. Looking ahead, the next steps may involve revising for selection tests or preparing for interviews.
To help you organise your revision for these upcoming stages, you can order our Digital Project Student Prep Kit for Exams here: Digital Project Student prep kit for Exam | Psychology Cap
As you likely know, reflection is essential throughout the application process. It helped during the application stage, and it will be even more important during interviews. We encourage you to use reflective models and jot down notes from your experiences and case studies. To support you in this, we offer our Reflective Journal X Study Planner in both physical and digital formats:
If you're still preparing for your application or want to enhance your profile to improve your employability, we recommend checking out our latest eBook. It offers insightful advice from postgraduate and undergraduate students on the tools and strategies needed to succeed in psychology: The Gameplan - The Gameplan: A guide to navigating an undergraduate psychology degree | Psychology Cap
Good luck with the next steps—you're well on your way to success!
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