system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
I feel like I fucked up my entire academic trajectory by pursuing an MA in history abroad.

Hi everyone,

I'm having serious anxiety over the trajectory of my academic life. It's all so tiresome, so if anybody could listen and provide some tips, that'd be so nice.

I finished undergrad with a B.A. in history. I did not take it seriously enough, but I was a kid and was doing something that I loved. 

I then took a year off to live with my girlfriend with no obligations other than working and supporting myself for a bit.

After that, I decided to pursue history further and study abroad. I went to the Netherlands and received a research MA in history (just finished). It took two years. 

Now, I'm looking ahead with uncertainty. I keep reading horror stories about history PhDs. On top of that, the pandemic completely ruined my last year of studies and my ability to meet like-minded peers and professors. The university was reputable, but it was merely supposed to be a springboard to a better institution. I feel really under-qualified. 

With all this in mind, I feel like my prospects are weak. And it's making me think my MA was a complete waste of time. 2 years, wasted. I feel terrible. I wish there was some redemption arc.

Any advice? I'm 26.
gpt
It’s hard to give specific advice without knowing what your goals are, but an MA from a good university is hardly a waste of time. You learn many important things while pursuing an advanced degree and only some of them are the actual subject matter.

In any case, let go of the imposter syndrome. It’s common, and meaningless. You are no less qualified than anyone else with an MA from a good university, which puts you ahead of most people in the world. Your prospects are great.