You're not a fraud: Imposter Syndrome

When I first heard of Imposter Syndrome, I was relieved mainly because I realized I was not alone. According to Dr. Andrea Robinson of the American Psychological Association, Imposter Syndrome is a “pervasive feeling of self-doubt, insecurity and competence despite evidence that you are skilled and successful.” Basically, it is the continual feeling that you are a fraud. It is the belief that you have been faking all your knowledge and achievements until now and are afraid that someday, someone will find out and you will ultimately fail. Along with that comes the belief that all past achievements were simply “luck” and the continual pressure to keep up the facade. Sound familiar? 

It probably does. It is estimated that more than 20 percent of college students experience Imposter Syndrome. Additionally, a 2020 study said that 82 percent of individuals will deal with it at some point in their life. 

So, why don’t we hear about it? Why aren’t colleges and counselors talking about this more? Mainly because nobody wants to talk about it. Most students or individuals who experience these feelings of inadequacy, fear, self-doubt and more don’t share them with others. I know that was my experience. I was constantly terrified that my skills and knowledge were inadequate and that someday, someone would find out and I would let everyone down. All of my achievements were simply based on “luck” and my ability to pretend I knew what I was doing. 

When I went home over the holiday, I chatted with my mom. She was receiving a promotion at her job, and she started talking about her feelings, all of which were very similar to mine. In fact, she said she has been fighting these types of feelings since she was in high school. After this conversation, I talked to several of my friends back on campus. They all expressed that they, too, had been struggling with these thoughts and fears. 

In both cases, my mom and friends seemed so relieved to know that they were not the only ones. It helped to talk about and share our experiences, feelings and fears. Dr. Robinson says this is one of the best ways to fight these thoughts, by talking to others and realizing that you are not alone. She also suggests taking some time to reflect on your hard work and

achievements and celebrate your successes. Finally, the famous saying “fake it till you make it” might actually be what you need to do. Sometimes, the best way to prove that you have the abilities and skills to succeed is by pushing through and proving that you can, even if you are scared. 

By Hannah Olin