Imposter Syndrome will almost always happen at university and when it does strike it can be very damaging and lead to a decrease in mental health (click here for more information on student’s mental health and where to find help as well as what steps Active-Class takes to provide support for students’ mental health). No one wants this to happen, so in this blog post, you’re going to learn what Imposter Syndrome is and most importantly, how to overcome it!
What Is Imposter Syndrome?
Imposter Syndrome is when a person doesn’t feel like they belong where they are and they underappreciate their achievements to the point where they feel like imposters at the workplace or university. As well as people believe they aren’t as competent or intelligent as other people at university.
I hate to admit this but this is extremely common at university and it always strikes at some point. Because during my first week or two at university, I had a lecture on this topic as the lecturers wanted to kill off any imposter syndrome, and at the time I didn’t have any imposter syndrome.
However, towards the end of my first term, I remember suffering from it badly one night and my mental health was gone.
Hopefully, by the end of the blog post, you won’t have to go through that.
Why Is Imposter Syndrome Important?
The main reason why Imposter Syndrome must be addressed is because it can lead to decreases in mental health, which is never good. For example, people with Imposter Syndrome can suffer from mental health conditions. Like, depression and anxiety.
Yet another reason is because Imposter Syndrome can lead to the person not achieving their potential and growing. Since the fear caused by the Imposter Syndrome holds them back and it can stop them from pursuing opportunities that would allow them to grow in relationships, work and other areas of life.
How To Overcome Imposter Syndrome?
I suppose I was fortunate enough with my Imposter Syndrome that it passed overnight but I know lots of people aren’t that lucky. Additionally, I have the mindset that I know I’ll never be the best but as long as I keep learning, trying and doing my best then that’s okay. And this is the key when it comes to overcoming Imposter Syndrome.
As a result of Imposter Syndrome is a mindset so addressing your beliefs about your abilities and perceptions is critical. As well as you need to stop comparing yourself to other people because Imposter Syndrome mainly comes from doubting your own abilities and not seeing yourself as, as good as other people.
Therefore, one of the most important things to remember is no one is perfect so please stop comparing yourself to others. Try your best on everything you do but acknowledge you will never be perfect and someone will always know more than you in some areas, and you will know more in other areas.
That’s okay. It’s okay not to know it all and be perfect. That’s part of being human, and most of all, it’s what makes learning fun. Because you will never stop learning.
Conclusion:
Whilst this has been a short blog post on Imposter Syndrome, I hope this has given you what you needed to fight off Imposter Syndrome or at least start to. There are lots of resources on the internet and Psychology Today on Imposter Syndrome.
But my unofficial advice would be just to acknowledge you’re an amazing person that deserves to be where you are today, and you will never be perfect. Yet that’s okay. No one is perfect so please stop putting yourself down for these unreasonably high expectations.
For more insight into university life, visit the Active-Class blog page.
Reference:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/imposter-syndrome#overcoming-imposter-syndrome
