Overcoming imposter syndrome in university

By Nana Haidara, University of Ottawa

Starting university at 16 was challenging. I felt both excited and extremely nervous. Most of my peers were older, and many events were 17+. I couldn’t help but wonder: how did I even get here? Should I have taken a gap year? Should I lie about my age to fit in and not be always treated as the baby of the group?

All these concerns made me doubt every decision, personal or school related. It is difficult because, for me, imposter syndrome comes and goes at the most random times. Some days, it appears unexpectedly, and others, it decides to leave you alone.

It’s easy to settle in life because we’re comfortable and don’t feel at risk experiencing new things.

Imposter syndrome often appears in new environments. It isn’t just about age; it thrives when you worry about how others perceive you, overthink your actions and struggle to believe in yourself. In university, imposter syndrome hits me the most when comparing my grades to my classmates and depending on professors’ feedback for academic validation. At first, seeking feedback is normal, but relying on academic validation to feel worthy can quickly become toxic.

It’s easy to settle in life because we’re comfortable and don’t feel at risk experiencing new things. But don’t let imposter syndrome stop you from exploring. It may sound cliché, but it’s okay to fail. University is just the beginning of figuring out your life and knowing what you can and cannot handle. Don’t limit yourself because of fear.

As an international student, I understand the feeling of pressure with family and friends both supporting and relying on you overseas. The pressure to make them proud, stay in touch, involve them in decisions and use them as motivation can feel overwhelming. This can also be the case if you come from a small Canadian town and are the first in your family to move to a university in a big city. Know you’re not alone in how you’re feeling and thinking. If you’re there, it’s for a reason.

I recently realized how much social media contributed to my imposter syndrome, making me feel out of place. I kept comparing my university experience to what I see in people’s vlogs and even in movies — and when my life wasn’t turning out like that, I started being really hard on myself. The issue with social media and university vlogs is that users often portray perfect or idealized versions of their lives— don’t believe everything! The reality is we don’t know what sacrifices that someone may have had to make to get that amazing research position or internship. University is the place and time to move at your own pace, whether you finish in three or five years. It’s okay to change your mind, change your program and change your speed. I can’t emphasize enough that university is just the beginning of figuring out your life — even if you feel out of place. The closest thing I can compare university imposter syndrome to is like going to the gym for the first time: you think everyone is staring at you and judging you. Meanwhile, they’re either not noticing or glad to see a new face.

There is no need to add any more pressure by striving to be a perfectionist. That’s a trait that can easily become toxic.

To overcome imposter syndrome, I had to go through a phase where I forced myself to appear confident in all areas (project confidence until it becomes natural). Reword your negative thoughts into positives — even if you don’t believe them. Be proud of yourself for trying. Another thing that helped me a lot was video journaling. Some prefer writing, but I found video journaling helpful—it allowed me to express myself and later revisit my feelings exactly as they were.

Looking back, I realized I was so hard on myself that I forgot to just take stock of my journey and remember that even if I was not the top of my class, I was still showing up and doing what I could, which is more than enough at the moment. As a university student, you must be proud of yourself and celebrate small wins. There is no need to add any more pressure by striving to be a perfectionist. That’s a trait that can easily become toxic. Remember: your validation, confidence, and sense of belonging don’t depend on your professors’ opinions or your GPA. Reflect on how far you’ve come and how much further you can go by continuing to try new things. Do not let the fear of imposter syndrome consume your life.