Hi everyone! These are my thoughts as I’ve been juggling with imposter syndrome and I hope reading about it helps you deal with it too. It’s something that we all might’ve experienced at one point or another. Lately, as someone who has been feeling this phenomenon, I would like to stress that you’re not alone in this. 

First, let’s get down to the basics. What’s an imposter syndrome?  Imposter syndrome is doubting yourself and your abilities to be successful despite evidence of your skills and academic accomplishments. A person who feels this way often compares themselves to their peers and recognizes that their abilities will never be up to par with others. This is especially true for college students who are frequently thrown into high-demand situations, overwhelmed with academic decisions, and unsure about what their future holds. 

Like I mentioned earlier, I’ve been feeling this way for a few weeks now. Last summer, I felt confident in myself because I got into the BS/MPH program so I thought that I was actually worth something. After doubting myself for so long, that achievement felt good. But during that time, I also got rejected from the few internships I applied for. I was overconfident in my abilities and now I feel anxious about applying for jobs or internships because I constantly fear rejections. Watching as my peers all secure summer internships left me with this sense of failure. Despite applying for a couple of internships over the past month, I felt incompetent and lacking in my attributions, constantly comparing myself to others. 

Many times I’ve wondered if I set unrealistic expectations for myself beyond my reach or if I was too afraid to attain them? Before applying for anything, I would pause and ask myself, “Do I really have a chance? Imagine the amount of people applying who have a better cover letter, a better resume, a better story to tell.” And I would slowly feel myself exiting from the screen. This cycle of anxiety and doubt has kept a hold on me, but I’ve tried to read and watch videos on imposter syndrome to some result.

The best way to deal with it? Understand yourself and try to refute the negative thoughts. For every belief that you are not capable, find something that counterattacks it. “I don’t have the necessary skills for this job,” I think. But then suddenly I realize, “What if I do? What if I’m exactly the type of person they’re looking for? I will never know until I try.” Second thing I’ve learned is to talk to someone about it. Others see your value more than you, and hearing people close to you vocalize their support and belief in you can give you the confidence you need.