Coping With the Challenges of a PGDA Year

From day one as a PGDA student, you have probably heard variations of the phrase, “The train doesn’t wait at the station”, emphasising the importance of staying on track and keeping pace with the programme. While this is good advice, it can cause immense pressure.  

This pressure can be motivating, but it can also be a source of anxiety. I’d urge students to remember that pressure is part of the process, rather than a problem to be solved – work with it, rather than against it, and cultivate good time management skills. What’s important is not to let setbacks or missed opportunities define you.  

Some weeks will go smoothly, others might derail your progress – and that’s okay. Progress isn’t always linear and learning how to regroup under pressure is just as valuable as staying on schedule. 

Many students on the PGDA programme experience self-doubt and find themselves questioning their abilities. Like the little purple character in Inside Out, Fear is the nervous, overthinking voice constantly providing warnings about everything that could go wrong.  

Feelings such as “Everyone else seems to be coping better” or “I don’t think I can do this” are more widely experienced than you think. My advice would be to keep showing up – even on days when your self-confidence is low – and to remind yourself that struggling doesn’t mean failing; it means you’re pushing through something truly challenging, and that’s where real growth and change happen. 

Make use of the support mechanisms offered by your institution. At Milpark, there are a variety of support structures in place. Connecting with your fellow students is important – sometimes just knowing that others are facing the same challenges can make all the difference in keeping you motivated and grounded.  

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking you’re doing it alone, but the PGDA year is not meant to be a solo mission. If you’ve seen Inside Out 2, you’ll remember the arrival of Anxiety – the new, high-energy emotion who bursts into headquarters and operates alone, sidelining the original emotions.  

Whether it’s forming a study group or sharing voice notes of encouragement with study buddies, connection is an underrated yet essential survival skill. Surrounding yourself with others who understand the journey doesn’t just make the load lighter – it also makes the wins more meaningful. Leaning on others for support is not a sign of weakness; it’s a strategy for success. 

Read More: From CA to MBA: Veronique Meyer’s Bold Next Step with Milpark 

Resilience is an unexpected and positive outcome on the PGDA journey, along with the realisation that despite the journey being difficult, you never gave up. Students often finish the year with more than just academic knowledge and technical competence; they leave with a deeper understanding of themselves, including how they manage stress, recover setbacks, and adapt under pressure. This resilience will continue to serve students throughout their careers and lives. 

These emotions and experiences are commonly felt by PGDA students. If you’re in the middle of this journey, or about to begin, know this: your emotions are valid and, often, widely shared by your peers. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or even discouraged at times. It doesn’t mean you’re not capable – it means you’re human, and that you’re pushing yourself through a demanding academic journey. 

While the journey is tough, it’s also profoundly transformative. It challenges you, yes – but it also shapes you. It forces you to dig deep, to build new habits, and to discover strengths you may not have realised you had. And, most importantly, you're not walking it alone.  

You are part of a community of students, lecturers and mentors who understand what you’re going through and who want to see you succeed. Reach out, lean on that support, and take it one step at a time. You are more capable than you know! So, take a deep breath, take a break when needed, and remember why you started.  

Every challenge you’re facing now is shaping the professional – and the person – you’re becoming. The PGDA year may test you, but it will also equip you with emotional tools that cannot be learnt from a textbook.