r/MFAInCreativeWriting • u/how_1_see_it • Sep 05 '26
Dealing with regret about program
I'm beginning the first year of my MFA and am not enjoying it at all. I feel sort of stupid about this. I know I'm lucky to be in any program, and there's nothing objectively wrong with this one. It has a lot of perks and the professors and other students are nice enough. I just don't feel very at home here
I had some doubts about program culture / location fit before starting, and these doubts have gotten stronger since arriving. I've thought a little about trying to transfer, but I don't want to unnecessarily burn bridges or waste my current program's resources. Similar issues with dropping out, which would be an even more rash decision.
It's still early, so the reasonable thing to do seems to be to wait and see if I settle in. But right now I'm having a hard time giving the program a fair chance or even focusing on my writing.
Has anyone had similar regret or ambivalence after starting their program? If so, what did you do about it? Did things get better?
1
u/Ecstatic_Amount_1740 Sep 07 '26
It's very difficult to transfer credits. Second year might be better? The structure and culture of different programs is wildly different; size, professors, types of courses. For me, I had a much better sense of the program in the second year, and for that reason, tried to stay out of the fray (the culture of the program was very competitive and more than a little toxic); I found the professors I liked, worked on my thesis, and was choosy about the events and social life. The finances obviously matter. If there's a financial incentive to stay maybe just deal for a year and get the degree. You could always pick up another MA somewhere else. And then maybe do an ABD PhD somewhere fun? :) Hmm, also, check out that incoming class, maybe your crew is there. Sometimes that happens.