Imposter syndrome: that that funny feeling most college students know all too well. Studies show that up to 82 percent of college students experience imposter syndrome while in school.
Imposter syndrome is the false belief that an individual is not as capable or smart as others think. This often causes individuals to feel as if their peers are at an advantage leaving the individual to feel like a fraud.
Imposter syndrome is the false belief that an individual is not as capable or smart as others think. This often causes individuals to feel as if their peers are at an advantage, leaving the individual to feel like a fraud in their content area. These feelings can persist even among high-achieving students. Although imposter syndrome creates isolation, it is widely felt on college campuses.
One responder to an anonymous poll, who we will name Stacy Brown, described imposter syndrome as ongoing thoughts of self-doubt and an overall negative self-perception.
“It is the persistent internal narrative that one’s achievements are undeserved, sustained by a fear of being perceived and exposed as intellectually fraudulent, despite the clear evidence of competence,” Brown said.
Another anonymous student responder who we will call Mary Reynolds, explains their definition of imposter syndrome as not feeling as though you deserve your accomplishments.
“Not feeling worthy of opportunities or achievements, especially when comparing yourself to those around you,” Reynolds said.
For such an isolating feeling, surveyed students all boiled down imposter syndrome as not feeling as though you deserve your accomplishments. Surveyed students explained that imposter syndrome feels like “guilt,” “playing like an actor in your own body” and “insecure.” Imposter syndrome is incredibly exhausting and prevents students from taking care of themselves and celebrating their accomplishments.
A student who we will refer to as Ray Stevens, is following their dream career, and has made it to their placement in a real classroom, which is an achievement that requires a lot of hard work. Yet this student continues to feel like “a bad teacher” and as though they are “faking it,” regardless of the efficacy of their lessons and positive feedback from their mentor.
“During my teaching placement right now, I’ve been planning and teaching lessons that go pretty well. My mentor teacher keeps telling me I’m doing a great job and gives me positive feedback,” Stevens said. “Even with all the proof that I’m doing okay, I still feel like a bad teacher most of the time. It really bothers me because I am constantly putting myself down and struggling to have hope that this feeling will go away.”
A junior English adolescent inclusive iducation major, Tia Abernathy experiences imposter syndrome shares her experience with how it shaped her mindset.
“I did bad in high school. And so, I thought I was, like, not smart,” Abernathy said. “When I came to college and I got a 4.0 my first semester. I kept getting comments from professors, like, ‘This is incredible work!’ And they were like, ‘You should get into English.’ I said, no. What do you mean? I’m not a writer! Still to this day, I don’t want to publish anything”
Students like Abernathy, whether they are fresh out of high school beginning their freshman year, or returning to college later in life, often find imposter syndrome creep into their lives. Abernathy explains that coming to college right after high school, or being an individual who is underrepresented in higher education, is a huge reason why so many college students experience Imposter syndrome.
English department administrative assistant Cheryl Merrel has had a lot of experience helping and guiding students through imposter syndrome. From her experience working at both Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) and SUNY Brockport, she had seen many students go through the college experience with the stresses of imposter syndrome.
“I spent 10 years working with Astrophysics and Physics graduate students at RIT and that is where I have experienced students dealing with imposter syndrome, “Merrell said. “I think students experience it because they are often unsure of their own abilities and fear that their retention of what they have been taught won’t last with them. I also think it is often hard for students to feel like they are no longer students (though we learn throughout our lives) and capable of putting into practice all that they have been taught throughout their lives.”
For Merrel, many students feel inadequate even post-grad while in their careers. She notes that many college students, even post-graduation, still feel inadequate as they enter their careers.
“My advice has always been that no professor or teacher willingly wants to set any student up for failure. They want to see you succeed, take the knowledge that you have learned and put it to practice in whatever you choose to do next,” Merrel said
For busy college students, it is hard to recognize that learning is a lifelong process that extends beyond the classroom. Merrel shares her advice for those students who may be struggling with feeling like an imposter.
“Your feeling of doubt or the fear that you will be seen as frauds is very valid, you are not alone. Just ask your professors and I bet a lot of them have felt or still feel that way,” Merrel said. “If a student is graduating from college that means you have successfully completed the coursework required for your major and that is proof that you have accomplished what you needed to do. Staying truthful and rooted can help you not feel like a fraud.”
Self-doubt is inevitable in every aspect of life; however, open the opportunity to celebrate. Imposter syndrome is not uncommon, and it is uncomfortable. But individuals who are struggling are not alone. Speaking with professors, mentors or even a friend and sharing those feelings can help a lot when the doubt feels suffocating.
If seeking counseling, or simply need that person to talk to, resources like the Hazen Health Center and the Hartwell Walk-In Clinic are available to all SUNY Brockport students.
