If you’re an undergraduate student in your third year, studying in a new country, and wondering whether research is for you—this is for you.
You’re curious, unsure, and maybe a little scared. That’s normal. That’s exactly where you should be.
You’re Not Supposed to Have It All Figured Out
Most people in research don’t have a grand plan when they start. They don’t wake up one day with a fully formed idea of what they want to do. They just take one small step at a time. It’s ugly.
The feeling that everyone around you has their life figured out? It’s a myth. Trust me, I have see it all, and I have been one myself. The most common feeling in academia is doubt. You constantly think: Is this for me?
That doubt means you’re paying attention. It means you care. If you feel like an outsider, like you’re behind, or like you don’t belong—welcome to research. That means you’re doing it right.
I have the same experiences as you. Read this post to understand that I still don’t know what I am doing.
The Fear Is Real—and So Is the Possibility
Let’s talk about fear for a moment. You might be afraid because you’re far from home. You might feel pressure to make your family proud. You might worry about money, about getting a job, about what people think.
Be there. Done that.
That pressure is heavy—but it can also point you to something real. Underneath that fear is often something deeper: curiosity.
And if you’re curious, you’re already on the path to becoming a researcher.
Research doesn’t start with answers. It starts with questions. It is always about questions and not knowing. So if you’re asking, “What if I tried this? What if I explored that idea? What would it be like to work with a professor?”—you’re already further along than you think.
Most people don’t ask questions.
You do.
Why Research Can Feel Like Everyone Is Better Than You
Research can feel like a competition you’re always losing. You might think, “Everyone is smarter than me.” Or, “They already have experience.” Or, “They know what they’re doing, and I don’t.”
I feel that way. Every researcher I know does.
Yes, everyday. Even now that I am years into this research career.
That feeling never really goes away—but here’s the secret: it doesn’t have to. Research isn’t about being the smartest person in the room. It’s about being the most curious, the most persistent, the one who keeps showing up.
The most successful researchers aren’t the ones who never feel insecure. They’re the ones who learn to keep going anyway.
Here’s How to Start (Even If You’re Afraid)
If you’re thinking of getting involved in research, here are a few steps to try:
1. Talk to a professor
Find one whose course you liked. Ask if they need help with a project. You don’t need to know everything—you just need to show interest.
2. Follow your curiosity
What’s something that made you pause and think? What topic makes you ask more questions? Start there.
3. Start small.
You don’t need to solve world hunger or write a publishable paper right away. Maybe you’ll help collect data. Maybe you’ll help summarize papers. These small steps build real skills.
4. Ask questions. Lots of them.
No one expects you to know everything. But they will notice if you’re eager to learn.
You Don’t Need to Impress Anyone
One of the biggest traps in research is trying to impress others—your advisor, your peers, even your family. It is very real feeling, and one of the best shows to illustrate this is to watch Alex Dunphy on Modern Family:
But trying to impress people is a losing game. You will end up in therapy, or worse. Because no matter what you achieve, it won’t be enough for someone.
So shift your mindset. Ask yourself, “Am I learning something? Am I proud of what I’m doing? Does this excite me—even a little?”
If the answer is yes, that’s enough.
Everyone Is Insecure
Even the most polished professors feel insecure sometimes. They question their worth. They wonder if they belong.
So if you’re shy, if you think you’re not enough, or if you worry that you won’t fit in—you’re not alone. In fact, those qualities make you more thoughtful, more reflective, and, honestly, a better researcher.
You don’t need to be loud. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be you.
What Success Actually Looks Like in Research
We often think success in research means getting papers published or being the smartest person in the room. But real success looks like this:
- Asking a new question that no one else thought to ask.
- Supporting your peers with kind words.
- Admitting you don’t know something and being excited to learn.
- Making a small discovery that changes the way you see the world.
That’s the magic of research—it’s not about recognition. It’s about growth.
You Will Get Rejected. Do It Anyway.
Research will humble you. Your ideas will get critiqued. Your questions will sometimes fall flat. You might get rejected from a project, a paper, or a grant.
That’s okay.
Everyone experiences rejection in research. It’s not a sign that you’re bad at this. It’s a sign that you’re trying.
So don’t wait until you feel ready. You’ll never feel ready. Start now—while you’re still curious.
If You’re From Another Country: Your Perspective Is Powerful
You might feel like you’re at a disadvantage because you’re not from here. You’re working in a second language. You’re adapting to a new academic culture.
But here’s the truth: your perspective is powerful.
You see things that others don’t. You bring new insights, new questions, and new ideas. Don’t hide your background—embrace it. Let it shape the way you approach research.
Science needs more voices like yours.
Redefine What Matters
People will tell you what success should look like. They’ll talk about rankings, awards, and resumes.
But you get to define what matters. Maybe for you, it’s learning to think differently. Maybe it’s helping your community. Maybe it’s just doing something meaningful for once.
Let that be enough.
Keep Showing Up
The most important thing you can do is keep showing up.
You don’t have to be perfect. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to take one step forward.
Start reading something that sparks your interest. Email one professor. Ask one question.
Keep showing up. That’s how you become a researcher.
Final Thoughts
You’re not behind. You’re not too late. You’re not underqualified.
You’re curious.
And that’s the only qualification that matters.
If you want to try research, try it. It’s okay to be scared.
It’s okay to fail. It’s okay to not know.
But don’t let fear stop you from exploring something that could change your life.
You belong in research. You belong in academia. You belong anywhere you decide to show up.
Just start.
We’ll be here cheering for you!