Facing imposter syndrome at university

Imposter syndrome is something that many of us experience but not all of us know the name of. Have you ever felt like you are not good enough, or that someone better may be about to replace you? Have you ever felt as though you do not deserve the praise you receive? The imposter syndrome is named after this feeling – the overwhelming sense that you are, in some way, an imposter who will be ‘caught out’ for not being as good as others believe you to be. If you feel like this, you may be experiencing imposter syndrome.

Imposter syndrome is something that I experienced when beginning university and still feel the effects of now. Having not achieved the grades I wanted at A-level, I felt as though I had fallen short of my ambitions and did not deserve my place at Warwick. Despite still getting into my first choice of university, I was afraid of being unable to keep up. I already felt anxious about beginning my studies at Warwick as I came from a disadvantaged background – not only was I the first in my family to go to university, I came from what UCAS defined as an ‘underprivileged’ area. I knew that many of my peers would be from a different background and I felt as though this made me less likely to succeed.

I felt as though I had fallen short of my ambitions and did not deserve my place at Warwick

As a result, I was deeply insecure about my abilities and contributions to seminars. I convinced myself that I did not belong at Warwick and that I would not be able to keep up with the pace of learning. I felt alone and I was afraid to admit these feelings in case I was ‘caught out’ as a student not worthy of Warwick. When I finally opened up to my peers, however, I discovered that the majority of them felt the same way and that the feeling of inadequacy was more common than I thought.

The people I encountered who also experienced this had many reasons for feeling that way: missing their predicted grades, being rejected from other universities and – as is the case for many people suffering with imposter syndrome – they felt as though it stemmed from high pressure as a child. A lack of validation and high expectations in formative years have both been linked to the imposter syndrome, causing people to believe that they are either not as talented as they were as a child or that they will never be enough.

People who suffer with imposter syndrome struggle to accept both criticism and praise. Criticism can amplify the individual’s insecurities and they often become defensive, taking the criticism personally. The feedback feels like an attack on who you are rather than the work you have produced, and praise only feels misplaced as you do not feel worthy. This adds pressure to the fear of being ‘caught out’ as some form of imposter – someone along the way may realise you are not as good as people believe you to be.

Accepting yourself as enough is, perhaps, the key to overcoming imposter syndrome

Other symptoms of imposter syndrome include perfectionism and overworking. People often feel the need to over-compensate for their self-perceived inadequacy and work long hours to ensure they produce something ‘good enough’. This often involves taking on extra responsibilities and repeating tasks until they are perfected. You might feel that imposter syndrome strikes around deadlines, or at any other time when you’re attempting to prove yourself. This can be dangerous, with possible outcomes being exhaustion and obsessive tendencies.

Imposter syndrome is a psychological pattern, not a mental illness, meaning that it is more of a habit of thinking than an imbalance of chemicals. Some do seek psychological help in order to overcome the imposter syndrome, but there are things you can do to help yourself if you want to manage these feelings alone.

Learning to co-exist rather than compete is an important factor in defeating imposter syndrome. The education system up until the age of 18 seems to focus on competition: who can get the best grade becomes the be all and end all of your studies. University, however, should not be like this. You do not need to worry about what everyone else is achieving. You should not feel the need to ask what others got on a test or an essay in order to compare their result to yours, as it simply doesn’t matter. Cheering on your peers will make your university experience much more enjoyable than if you allow yourself to view them as rivals.

You do not need to be perfect in order to be good enough

Learning to accept criticism and enjoy praise is important at any point in your studies. Criticism is not an attack on the individual, but rather a reflection on the work created. Instead of looking at criticism as a response to who you are, learn to view it as a response to what you have done. Criticism does not mean your work is unsalvageable, or even that it is bad. Improving on what has previously been achieved is vital to anyone hoping to grow.

Praise is also important as it can lesser the negative impact of criticism and confirm that you are enough. Although praise can sometimes be uncomfortable it is important that you do not just bat it away. Instead, believe what you are being told and reflect on it in the same way you should reflect on criticism.

Accepting yourself as enough is, perhaps, the key to overcoming imposter syndrome. When I first began at Warwick, I was terrified that I wasn’t enough – in my mind, I had been accepted through error or pity. On my first day, however, the head of my department gave a short speech which put my fears to rest (at least for a while). The head of my course explained that when she began her studies, she felt as though she was not enough, as if everyone around her was more deserving and in some way better than her.

This is not an episode of Scooby Doo and – thankfully – no one is going to remove your mask

Expecting that some of us felt the same, she told us that all of us had been given the same place on the same course for the same reason: we had potential. As ironic as it may sound given events over the past few years, she assured us that “Warwick does not make mistakes”. This is something that should be held close by everyone nervous about this year, whether it be your first or your last. You are not here by mistake – you have earned everything so far and will continue to achieve if only you allow yourself to.

You do not need to be perfect in order to be good enough. When you fail, do not take it as a personal defeat. Likewise, if you succeed then accept the praise given to you and be proud. You may feel like an imposter, but this is not an episode of Scooby Doo and – thankfully – no one is going to remove your mask.