It is common for people in a range of situations to have the nagging suspicion that they don’t truly deserve the success they have achieved. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as imposter syndrome and can be particularly common among college students. If you or someone you know is dealing with these feelings, the following tips can help resolve the issue quickly and effectively.
Be Open and Honest
The knowledge of knowing that imposter syndrome is quite widespread can provide the comfort necessary to share those feelings with those around you. Whether it is a counselor, a close friend, a family member, or any trusted confidante, the first step toward eradicating feelings of inadequacy before they can disrupt the college experience.
Don’t Forget Your Accomplishments
When struggling with imposter syndrome in college, students can often look at other people who seem to have more going for them and start feeling as though their own accomplishments don’t measure up. While a healthy sense of motivation to be a leader can be a potential benefit in the long run, it is important for any student to avoid letting the desire to keep up with someone else eclipse their own unique talents and skills.
Learn From Mistakes
The old adage advises us that nobody’s perfect, so it should be acceptable to make a mistake every once in a while. When those errors or lapses in judgment inevitably occur, it can trigger symptoms of imposter syndrome. By building the positive habits required to learn from mistakes instead of being sidetracked by them, however, it is much easier to move on and grow.
Keep Things in Perspective
Some people are constantly preoccupied with the next step in a process instead of focusing on the big picture. This can increase the chances of becoming discouraged if a particular aspect goes awry – whether it is the student’s fault or not. By keeping the proper outlook and moving incrementally toward a major goal, however, those small roadblocks and hurdles will seem far less daunting for students experiencing imposter syndrome.