Have you ever had the impression that your achievements aren’t deserving or that you don’t belong in your classes?

You’re not alone if you have. Imposter syndrome affects many students, even the most accomplished ones. It’s that persistent sense that you’re a phony and don’t merit your accomplishments.

The good news?

There are strategies to deal with it, and students who have experienced these emotions themselves have some of the best advice. This post will explore useful advice from accomplished students on how to overcome imposter syndrome and boost your self-esteem.

What is Imposter Syndrome?

Let’s take a moment to clarify what imposter syndrome is before discussing coping mechanisms. It’s the conviction that you’re not as good or capable as other people believe you to be.

You may feel that you have somehow “tricked” everyone into thinking you are more knowledgeable or skilled than you are. Even after putting in a lot of effort and earning your accomplishments, this feeling may still occur. This is a problem for many students, particularly high achievers.

The problem is that imposter syndrome does not accurately represent your actual skills. It’s just a mentality that can be altered.

Recognize You’re Not Alone

Understanding that you are not alone in experiencing imposter syndrome is the first step towards conquering it. Actually, a lot of accomplished students have faced comparable difficulties. It’s crucial to understand that practically everyone experiences periods of self-doubt, regardless of whether they are in graduate school, college, or another academic setting.

“There were definitely moments when I looked around at my peers and was like, ‘They are all much smarter than I am,’” – says Jessica, an engineering major. – “However, I found that they felt the same way after I told them about it. We’re all in this together; that’s the truth.”

Understanding that success does not entail having everything worked out can be freeing. The difficulty is normal, and feeling lost is acceptable.

Challenge Your Negative Thoughts

Getting rid of those negative thoughts is one of the best strategies to fight imposter syndrome. Every time you feel like “I’m not good enough to be here” or “I don’t deserve to be here,” stop and ask yourself, “Is that really true?”

One of the stellar students we had the opportunity to speak with, Tom, who studies business administration, revealed that he continuously reminded himself of all the effort he had invested in his studies whenever he felt doubts were creeping in. “I reminded myself of all that I have achieved in the past and focused on my strengths while working on my weaknesses.”

Try keeping journals of all the things you have achieved in school, regardless of how small they may look. Read them over and over again whenever you feel lost or out of place. Remember that you are not where you used to be and are trying to get somewhere better.

Talk About It

Expressing your emotions can honestly be very beneficial. Speaking with a counselor, mentor, or close friend about imposter syndrome can help you understand that these feelings are normal and not an indication of failure. Having gone through this, successful students frequently inspire others to speak up.

Marie, a psychology graduate student, says, “At first, I was afraid to admit that I felt like an imposter. However, my instructors and fellow students reassured me that I wasn’t the only one who felt this way and that my difficulties weren’t particular to me.”

Sometimes, just saying your thoughts out loud can change your perspective and reduce their power over you.

Focus on Growth, Not Perfection

I need to be perfect to succeed – many students believe this, but it is a mistake. This concept worsens imposter syndrome and can lead to you being unable to identify the actual things you have done. Focus on your growth over perfection instead.

Kyle, a computer science honors student, confides, “I used to think that if I didn’t do everything perfectly, I was failing. But eventually, I learned that failure is part of the learning process. It’s all about growth. I’ll never know everything, but I just keep learning.“

This is why the shift to thinking in terms of progress over perfection allows for mistakes and eventually maximizes your learning experience. Making this switch helps you build confidence and relieves some pressure that can stir up imposter syndrome.

Celebrate Your Wins

Give yourself a moment to celebrate any accomplishment, no matter how small. Many students tend to dismiss their accomplishments, particularly those suffering from imposter syndrome. After all, you may feel as though you have only fulfilled your obligations. However, that is untrue. Your accomplishments are deserving of praise.

“Whenever I finished a big project or aced an exam, I’d take a moment to treat myself—whether it was grabbing coffee with friends or just enjoying a quiet evening,” – says Sarah, a successful law student. – “It served as a reminder that I was the one putting in the effort and earning every bit of success.”

The belief that you genuinely deserve your success can be strengthened by taking the time to recognize your efforts.

Set Realistic Expectations

Setting irrational expectations for oneself is one of the ways imposter syndrome can manifest. Believing that you should always be the best or expecting perfection can set you up for disappointment and failure. Rather, establish attainable objectives for yourself and acknowledge each small victory.

“It’s easy to look at others and feel like you should be further ahead, but everyone’s journey is different,” – says Alex, a successful medical student. – “I discovered how to celebrate each accomplishment and set modest, doable goals for myself. I felt less overwhelmed after that.”

Instead of continuously comparing yourself to others, realistic expectations allow you to enjoy your academic journey and help you concentrate on your progress.

Seek Support

It can occasionally be very beneficial to speak with someone who has experienced similar things. Finding support from a mentor, counselor, or fellow student who has gone through imposter syndrome can provide the motivation you need to keep going.

History graduate student Lucas writes, “I found a group of peers who understood what I was going through. We would communicate with one another and discuss our difficulties. I was able to handle the ups and downs with the help of that support network.”

It can make a huge difference to have people aware of your difficulties.

Conclusion

Although it’s a journey, with the correct techniques, you can overcome the imposter syndrome. If you feel that you don’t deserve your success, know you’re not the only one.

You can develop the confidence you need to succeed by identifying the commonalities between these emotions, confronting negative thoughts, getting help, and concentrating on your own development. Therefore, the next time you feel like a fake, remind yourself that you belong, deserve your success, and can achieve even more.