How To Overcome Imposter Syndrome as a College Student

Are you feeling like a fraud in your own life? Like you are waiting for someone to come and tell you that you don’t belong in this life? If so, you’re not alone. That uneasy sense is the imposter syndrome, and it’s particularly rampant among college students. Let’s find out what imposter syndrome is, what causes it, and how you can beat it.

Comprehending Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is the ongoing sense of insecurity and anxiety about being discovered as a “fake,” even in the face of obvious success and skill. You may believe that your success is more a result of chance than skill. This kind of thinking can be especially common in high achievers, such as college students entering demanding academic settings.

Imposter Syndrome: How Common is it in College Students?

Imposter syndrome is terrifyingly common among college students. A study at Pakistan’s Nishtar Medical College found that an overwhelming 94% of medical students reported experiencing some degree of imposter syndrome, and more than half faced moderate to severe levels of the phenomenon. Similarly, a study of Indian college students showed that 52% had high levels of imposter feelings, with women affected significantly more than men. In the United States, a survey found that 97 percent of medical students felt moderate to intense feelings of imposter syndrome, with women and students attending predominantly white institutions more likely to report severe levels. It shows that this phenomenon of imposter syndrome is prevalent across individuals and educational institutions.

The Relationship Between Imposter Syndrome and Mental Health

College life can be stressful, and this is true for any ambitious pursuit, which would undoubtedly invoke imposter syndrome and a fear of failure. That same study with Indian college students also identified a small positive correlation between levels of imposter feelings and levels of anxiety, meaning that the more imposter feelings a student experiences, the more anxiety they will likely feel. Likewise, among Peruvian medical students, lower levels of imposter syndrome were related to lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, with the female gender being susceptible. These findings highlight the need to target imposter syndrome not just to bolster academic success but also, most broadly, in the interest of improving well-being.

Why Do College Students Get Imposter Syndrome?

There are many reasons college students experience imposter syndrome:

New Environment: The comparison from high school to college is a more vying and rigorous one, and can also plant a seed of self-doubt.
High Expectations: Personal or familial expectations to succeed can be extraordinarily heavy, and any stumble may feel like a failure.
Comparing with Peers: Seeing your peers, who may seem to have figured everything out, can make you feel down as well, although they might also be having the same doubts.

Also, underrepresentation of students from minority backgrounds or first-generation college students might feel like they don’t belong, therefore worsening the feeling of imposter syndrome.

Imposter Syndrome’s Effect on Academic Achievement

One of the effects of imposter syndrome on students is how it affects their academic success. It creates some sense of “I’m just a lucky person” feeling whenever they pass a course or subject. They completely forget that their ability could lead them to succeed academically, believing that this may just be universe alignment. This kind of mindset can lead to procrastination, which eventually impacts their academic success. While they don’t know if it’s their ability or knowledge that brought them success, they tend to avoid classroom participation as they fear people might think of them as frauds. As such, it is essential to manage imposter syndrome to make sure they engage in class and succeed academically.

Ways to Get Rid of Imposter Syndrome

Understand Your Feeling: One of the most important ways of ridding yourself of imposter syndrome is by understanding that this is how you are feeling and most importantly accepting that you experience imposter syndrome. You need to understand and tell yourself at all that this person is not who you are and you are better than you feel.
Have That Conversation: There’s no greater way to feel better about a situation than having a heart-to-heart conversation with someone close to you. This will not only relieve you of the burden you feel but also provide you with a different view of the situation. If you are in a focused group, for example, you will meet people with similar experiences, which makes it easier to not feel isolated.
Distinguish Emotions from Reality: Although you may feel incompetent, you are not. Remind yourself of your accomplishments and the skills that have enabled you to reach this stage in your profession to combat negative thinking.
Create Achievable Objectives: Divide large projects into smaller tasks. Reaching modest objectives can increase self-esteem and provide a feeling of achievement.
Stop Seeking Perfection: Perfectionism is unrealistic and can create an environment where burnout is inevitable. Strive for perfection, but don’t forget we all make mistakes as we seek to learn.
Track Your Personal Wins: Create a list of successes, compliments, and things you are proud of. Reading this can empower you in your times of uncertainty.
Step Out of Your Comfort Zone – Embrace a Growth Mindset: Believing that skills can grow over time can help mitigate feelings of incompleteness.
Make Connections with Other Students: Look for your tribe in communities, organizations, or student clubs. Reminding yourself that you are not alone in your experiences might be facilitated by connecting with others.
Think About Seeking Professional Assistance If Needed: If impostor syndrome is negatively impacting your life, think about discussing it with a mental health professional. They are able to provide situation-specific strategies.
Treat yourself with kindness by speaking to yourself as though you were your closest friend. Recognize that everyone makes errors and that no one is flawless.

Conclusion

Imposter syndrome is a common issue among college students, but it doesn’t have to control your college experience. As far as the feelings are concerned, reach out to your friends and family and try some of the following strategies to help you overcome your self-doubt and navigate through college. You’re not an imposter; you’re a learner, and college is learning how to work everything out.