Trusting Your Ability • Monika Williams

Monika Williams (Chemistry PhD Student, Stanford University || CA USA)

“Grad school is tough. I’m learning it requires a tricky balance of humility and self-confidence. You have to be confident enough to pursue your own ideas, but humble enough to know that they are likely wrong. My siblings and I were home-schooled by our parents, so I’m trying to use the tools my parents gave me to navigate this balance. My mom always says, ‘Nothing you do is ever perfect, there’s always something to improve.’ She encouraged me to set things aside and revisit them with a critical eye later. My dad is a big believer in my ability to ‘make things work’. I’m relying on that belief right now — I’m working on a cool idea at the moment, and I’m not sure how — or if — it will work out.

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I was a piano teacher through most of high-school and undergrad. Many of my students would ask me what I studied. When I’d say chemistry, they’d often say ‘oh that sounds hard!’ — as young students, most hadn’t even taken chemistry yet, but had already begun closing themselves off to it. Being afraid that things are going to be difficult can make them harder, so don’t let your preconceived notions about a topic frighten you from it.”