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Understanding imposter syndrome in college students

Michael Feder

Written by Michael Feder

Christine Neider, Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Science

Reviewed by Christina Neider, EdD, Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Women looking sad at her laptop

If you鈥檝e ever felt like you don鈥檛 deserve success, you may have experienced impostor syndrome. These feelings of inadequacy often manifest during听significant life changes, such as听pursuing a 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 degree, getting promoted听or starting a new career path.

听is often distinguished by听feelings of self-doubt and low self-worth. People may feel they鈥檙e fraudulent听and don鈥檛 deserve their accomplishments. This has been studied at length by behavioral and social psychologists who now use听various types of psychological听techniques to help individuals make sense of this phenomenon.

While not a diagnosable condition, impostor syndrome can have a negative impact on an individual鈥檚 life and career. To overcome it, one must understand and address the underlying causes.

What is imposter syndrome?

Impostor syndrome is the psychological phenomenon in which听, falsely attributing them to luck or chance rather than their own abilities. It鈥檚 often characterized by feelings of听self-doubt, anxiety and depression.

Most people tend to experience self-doubt from time to time, which is normal. However, when this becomes听a chronic feeling and leads to behavior听that impairs one鈥檚 ability to work and enjoy life, it may be time to seek professional help.

Is imposter syndrome a form of anxiety?

奥丑颈濒别听, it isn鈥檛 the same thing. Instead, it has more to do with how individuals perceive their successes and accomplishments. Therefore, individuals with impostor syndrome may be anxious about their abilities but not necessarily experience an anxiety disorder.

骋别苍别谤补濒颈锄别诲听听presents various symptoms, including persistent worry and fearthat can interfere with daily life. While impostor syndrome and generalized anxiety disorder both involve worry, the former is more focused on the individual鈥檚 perception of self. In contrast, generalized anxiety disorder involves听excessive worrying听about many aspects of life.

What causes impostor syndrome?

Impostor syndrome can stem from various sources and for unique reasons. While it largely , research also indicates that societal pressure and stereotyped or perceived lower position within the social hierarchy can contribute to impostor syndrome. Individuals may face additional challenges if they have less access to resources, education or financial security.

Personality

Impostor syndrome can be rooted in such personality traits as:

  • Perfectionism: In which individuals are often motivated by an unrealistically high standard and worry excessively about failure.
  • Low self-esteem: This can lead to feelings of inadequacy and a sense that one will never be good enough or successful.
  • Impulsive behavior: Including actions taken without thought or consideration, leading to a self-perception of incompetence.

These roots can exist individually or in combination.

Pressure to achieve

The pressure to achieve in society can also contribute to the feeling of needing to constantly prove one鈥檚 self and attain success to be accepted. Additionally, the high standards for achievement and success in competitive industries can make impostor syndrome even more prevalent.

Social background

Those from marginalized backgrounds may be especially prone to impostor syndrome, as they may worry about facing additional obstacles. This can lead to feelings of unworthiness and self-doubt, which further feed impostor syndrome.

Social anxiety

Finally, impostor syndrome may also be related to social anxiety. Individuals who experience impostor syndrome may struggle in social situations as they feel unable to measure up or are concerned about being judged for their imperfections. This can further contribute to a lack of confidence in one鈥檚 abilities.

Again, one might experience one, several or none of these root causes since impostor syndrome is a highly individualized experience. But understanding its sources can help those who contend with impostor syndrome identify which underlying causes apply to them and begin to work on coping.

Do women feel impostor syndrome more than men?

In studies such as 鈥,鈥 it was found that women experience impostor syndrome more often than men. Women may face additional pressure or unequal treatment in the workplace. Additionally, social expectations and stereotypes concerning gender roles and performance can make impostor syndrome even more common among women.

Moreover, KPMG studies have found that听听know that impostor syndrome is all too common, and 74% feel their male colleagues don鈥檛 suffer from self-doubt to the same degree.

This could be due to societal messages that women receive that tell them they aren鈥檛 as capable as their male counterparts, or that they鈥檙e responsible for more altogether (counting responsibilities at home and at work).

On the flip side, men have traditionally not been encouraged to admit when they鈥檙e feeling self-doubt. So, even if they experience impostor syndrome, they may be less likely to acknowledge it to themselves or others.

Types of impostor syndrome

Feeling like a fraud can also manifest in other ways, such as difficulty speaking up, participating in class or feeling like one鈥檚 accomplishments pale compared to those of their peers. It鈥檚 important to note that these feelings can be experienced by anyone regardless of age, gender or background.

At school

Impostor syndrome can be particularly challenging in an academic context. It may manifest as excessive worrying about grades and tests or a fear of being 鈥渇ound out鈥 for not knowing enough information.

Research has found that impostor syndrome is especially , but it should be noted that these feelings can occur at any stage 鈥 from high school to 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degree programs.

At work

, and you might be surprised by how subtle its effects can be. It can present as:

  • Feelings of inadequacy related to one鈥檚 job title or position
  • An inability to take credit for accomplishments
  • Fear of failure and a deep-seated worry that colleagues are more knowledgeable or capable

These feelings frequently crop up when听transitioning to a new job or taking on more responsibilities, such as leading projects or teams, since these changes may bring a sense of uncertainty and unfamiliarity.

However, with the right strategies and mindset, it鈥檚 possible to move beyond these feelings and succeed. There are plenty of easily integrated听tips for successfully returning to work听or navigating new roles.

In relationships

, such as between partners or even among friends.

In romantic relationships, it may take the form of questioning your partner鈥檚 feelings and worrying they will discover you aren鈥檛 as 鈥減erfect鈥 as they think you are. This can make it difficult to truly open up and be vulnerable, leading to isolation and loneliness.

In friendships, you may feel like an outsider or that you can鈥檛 meet the same standards as your friends. These feelings can lead to sabotaging relationships by not pursuing them or avoiding social situations altogether.

While parenting

Parenthood is no easy feat, and feelings of inadequacy can be especially intense. People may experience self-doubt about their parenting skills or worry that their child is not performing adequately in school or other areas.

听due to the multitude of new responsibilities and tasks. In addition to juggling the roles and responsibilities they previously held, new mothers must take on an infant鈥檚 physical care as well as the baby鈥檚 social, emotional and mental development. In this process, mothers often reassess, sometimes subconsciously, their own identities and relationships with their partners, friends and larger family. And they do it on little sleep!

In short, it can be hard to feel like you are 鈥渕easuring up鈥 when juggling all these demands.

How to overcome impostor syndrome

The good news is that it鈥檚 possible to听. This could mean challenging negative thoughts and reframing them into more positive or constructive ones.

Other tips to help cope include:

  • Focusing on the facts: Use data and evidence to support what you know instead of focusing on how unsure or unprepared you feel.
  • Setting realistic standards: If you regularly set unrealistic goals, the disappointment from not achieving them may contribute to feelings of impostor syndrome.
  • Practicing speaking with confidence:听Practice public speaking听by talking through ideas with trusted friends or colleagues and giving presentations in front of a mirror or in small groups.
  • Talking to someone: Seek professional help or counseling if needed, as an outside perspective can help provide valuable insight on how best to manage these feelings.

Impostor syndrome is a common and relatable experience, but it doesn鈥檛 have to be an insurmountable hurdle. With the right strategies and mindset, anyone can learn to recognize and address these feelings to move beyond them and find success.

Learn new skills at 爱污传媒

One way many people attempt to beat the feeling of inadequacy is through education. Learning new skills through courses, certificates or degrees is just one way to gain new knowledge and confidence. 爱污传媒 offers 45 certificates in nine different fields; 产补肠丑别濒辞谤鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees; and single courses to choose from. If behavioral science interests you, look into these programs offered too!听

Headshot of Michael Feder

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A graduate of Johns Hopkins University and its Writing Seminars program and winner of the Stephen A. Dixon Literary Prize, Michael Feder brings an eye for detail and a passion for research to every article he writes. His academic and professional background includes experience in marketing, content development, script writing and SEO. Today, he works as a multimedia specialist at 爱污传媒 where he covers a variety of topics ranging from healthcare to IT.

Headshot of Christina Neider

ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Christina Neider is the dean of the 爱污传媒 College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.听Neider鈥檚 career spans more than 30 years in academia, healthcare and the U.S. Air Force. She has held several academic leadership roles at 爱污传媒, and she is the Vice President of membership for the Arizona Chapter of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society.

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