Impostor Syndrome in university career

Entering university marks the beginning of a new stage that can be very exciting. Coincident in an academic space with people with whom you share interests and a similar professional path can be very positive for personal growth.

Soaking up knowledge and starting a desired professional path is a very motivating process, but what happens when, instead of enjoying it, you suffer it, and instead of motivating you, it makes you small? And on many occasions, instead of enjoying camaraderie and learning, the university experience can become a sea ​​of ​​doubts and comparisons that only lead to doubting one's own abilities, talent and even the decision to study this career. This is what we mean when we talk about imposter syndrome; continually feeling that you are not enough and that you are taking an imposed role in this professional path.

In this article, we are going to talk about the ways in which this imposter syndrome can appear in university careers., and the kind of negative impact it has on mental health, well-being, and ultimately academic performance.

What is Imposter Syndrome?

To understand in more depth the impact of imposter syndrome in the university context, it is important to first define what this phenomenon is. Imposter syndrome refers to the belief of having an impostered or false role in a context professional, work or academic, based on feelings of insecurity or lack of qualification necessary.

In the university context, imposter syndrome is a psychological experience that affects many students, regardless of their academic ability or grades. It manifests itself as a persistent feeling of fraudulence towards what they are studying, leading those who study it They tend to doubt their achievements and fear that, at some point, they will be exposed as “imposters” in this career. university. This phenomenon is mainly characterized by the inability to internalize successes, attributing Thus, achievements are attributed to external factors or luck instead of recognizing skill and effort. staff.

Students who are affected by these false beliefs often live in a constant state of anxiety, fearing the moment when their supposed incompetence becomes evident to others. This feeling can arise at any stage of the university career and affect talented and capable people. Understanding this dynamic is essential to addressing the problem and promoting a university culture that fosters trust and genuine recognition of individual achievements.

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Factors that contribute to its development

College career imposter syndrome finds its roots in an intersection of factors that, combined, can trigger continued feelings of doubt or incompetence. It is important to highlight that each person has a different experiential and emotional background and, therefore, processes the information or set of situations they experience differently. These are some factors that can influence the development of impostor syndrome in college:

1. Academic pressure

Academic pressure is a pervasive and constant situation in many university environments that foster competitiveness among students. Continued exposure to this pressure can lead to overwhelming stress.. These students often experience the need to meet high standards, both personal and social, which increases the likelihood of experiencing impostor syndrome, especially when you do not achieve the results you believe desirable. Additionally, the expectations of teachers, family, and friends can add extra weight, creating fertile ground for self-doubt.

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2. Own expectations

In addition to the expectations of the academic environment, teachers or family, internal expectations that each person has about their academic process or professional future are many times more demanding. Students who tend to set unrealistically high standards for themselves are more susceptible to falling into cycles of self-criticism. and developing imposter syndrome, continually doubting one's abilities and future employment. This perfectionism can be paralyzing in the long term and have increasingly worse consequences for one's career and self-development.

3. Constant comparison

On the other hand, constant comparison with peers also plays a crucial role in the development of imposter syndrome. In a competitive university environment, It's easy to fall into the trap of measuring your own success in relation to that of others.. This comparison, although natural, can lead to a distorted perception of personal worth, intensifying feelings of imposture.

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Impact on mental health

Impostor syndrome is not only an academic obstacle, but it also has a significant impact on the mental health of college students. Being constantly exposed to pressure and the fear of being discovered as “fraudulent” or unable to do their jobs can trigger anxiety, stress and other emotional problems. Some of the impacts on mental health are:

1. Anxiety

Anxiety, as the impostor's constant companion, manifests itself in persistent worry about academic performance and fear of evaluation by others. This emotional burden can affect concentration and general well-being, becoming an obstacle to academic and personal success.

2. Stress

The stress associated with impostor syndrome and constant doubt about one's own abilities can lead to long-term mental and emotional exhaustion. Affected students often find themselves in a constant struggle to prove themselves, which can result in progressive burnout.. Measuring one's abilities by comparing them with those of other people leads to weakening resilience in the face of additional challenges and negatively affect the quality of life in a stable way in the time.

Strategies to overcome it

Despite the challenges that imposter syndrome presents, there are effective strategies that college students can implement to overcome this emotional and academic obstacle. Let's discuss some strategies that can not only help you overcome imposter syndrome, but also encourage a healthier, more balanced approach to college life.

1. Recognition and awareness

The first step is to recognize that imposter syndrome is common and that you are not alone in this experience. Being able to label the cause of some of your self-esteem and self-confidence issues is the first step to freeing yourself from them. Besides, Being aware that many students share these feelings can ease the emotional burden and prevent you from feeling alone..

2. talk about the problem

In line with what was mentioned above, sharing your feelings with friends, family or professionals can be liberating. Often, expressing concerns out loud helps to demystify them and receive the necessary support. On many occasions, we are not aware of the impact of something painful until we allow ourselves to speak. in a free and relaxed way about it, giving value to our painful feelings and unsafety.

3. Change internal dialogue:

Work on changing negative thoughts into positive affirmations. Above all, in these problems guided by impostor syndrome, it is very important that you modify the way you talk and direct yourself. Instead of focusing on what you don't know or your fears, focus on your achievements and abilities.. Don't constantly seek to surpass what you've done before or what your peers are doing; Focus on finding what makes you happy.

4. Set realistic goals

Define achievable goals and celebrate your successes, no matter how small. This will help build your self-confidence gradually. Instead of heading towards unrealistic goals or goals focused on immediate success and comparison with third parties, look for goals that fit within your abilities and your tastes. It will make you feel better to get there, and the journey will be more pleasant too.

5. Learn from mistakes

Understand that making mistakes is part of the learning process. Instead of seeing them as failures, give them the value of opportunities to grow and improve. All people fail and there is nothing wrong with it; It is through these failures how we manage to learn and modify our steps to do it well on the next attempt..

6. Seek professional support

Don't hesitate to seek help and support when you need it. There is nothing wrong with acknowledging that this problem affects you to the point where you are not able to manage it yourself; Taking care of your mental health also means knowing how to ask for help and putting yourself in the hands of professionals when necessary.

Conclusions

In the complex college journey, imposter syndrome can be a challenging obstacle. However, by recognizing it and adopting strategies to overcome it, students can free themselves from the weight of constant doubts about their worth and abilities. By sharing experiences and seeking support, we create an environment that fosters trust and growth. Let us remember that the path to academic success is not without challenges, but each step in overcoming imposter syndrome is a triumph towards self-empowerment.