Anxiety preceding field work: What students worry about

Data from this exploratory study suggest that both graduate and undergraduate social work students have high levels of anxiety as they prepare to enter field practicums. A survey of 255 students identified self-doubts, time and stress management concerns, as well as interviewing and counseling related concerns. Undergraduates were twice as likely to express self-doubts as graduate students and reported higher levels of anxiety. Suggestions are made for lessening pre-placement anxiety and increasing students' feelings of preparedness.