Imposter Syndrome: What is it and how does it affect us?

By GuanXi Liu

October 10, 2020

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Imposter syndrome, or imposter phenomenon, is characterized by feelings of not belonging, or feeling like you are undeserving of your achievements. You might feel that your success was earned because of luck, and not because of your talent, qualifications, or hard work. An estimated 70% of people will experience this at some point in their lives, whether it be in school or in their professional career.

Imposter syndrome was not studied until 1978, when it was identified by psychologists Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes. Since then, further research has been done to understand this phenomenon. Typically, “perfectionists” and “experts” feel like they need to prove themselves more than anyone else because they have higher expectations, or see themselves as more qualified. Individuals who naturally succeed may feel shame in asking for help since they might not be succeeding as well as they usually do. There is no single answer for why imposter syndrome happens. People as accomplished as Maya Angelou or Albert Einstein felt like this at times, saying that they didn’t deserve their success.

Some psychologists believe that imposter syndrome has to do with personality traits, while others think it has to do with family and behaviour. Our 21st century society also contributes to imposter syndrome through the added stereotypes and expectations hailing from social media and the internet. Some racial and/or ethnic minorities also experience imposterism, as they have traditionally not been offered the same opportunities as non-minority groups. Lastly, women working in primarily male-dominated fields may also doubt themselves and their achievements due to feelings of imposterism.

For many of us, the first time you experience imposter syndrome might be in high school. Starting in Grade 9, you enter a completely new environment and setting, and you might not know a single person in your class. Since everyone might have learned different things, naturally there will be some people who are more advanced, and some that are further behind. As you get into the older grades, people start caring a lot more about their marks, which university program to apply to, what future aspiration they want to pursue, etc… Finally, in Grade 12, you work harder than ever before to achieve a goal that has the power to completely shape your future. There is competition between programs, and sometimes you immediately feel like you won’t make it. You might see others that you always thought were smarter, apply for the same university as you, so you start wondering if you are actually qualified enough to compete with them. This is a classic instance of imposter syndrome. However, you are not alone. Our education system is designed so that personal achievements are measured by the marks you get, how many extracurriculars you do, or the post-secondary programs you were accepted into. This is a problem in the current education system, and something that should be changed. No one’s worth should be measured by how great they are in comparison to others.

An article by Chantrisse Holliman expresses how imposter syndrome is present in teenagers in high school, from the perspective of an educator. Some of the brightest students she’d ever met would still doubt themselves and have academic insecurities, despite being highly accomplished. However, she mentioned that this feeling was all too common in high schoolers. Despite complimenting and recognizing their achievements, their imposter syndrome did not go away.

So what can we do? Everyone experiences moments of doubt in their lives, whether it be in the classroom, at work, or in their career. It is important that you recognize your own achievements and realize that you did earn your spot, wherever you are. Sharing with trusted adults, friends or family might also be helpful. Overcome your imposter syndrome by acknowledging your thoughts and putting them into perspective. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, as you will become better over time. When you walk into school, realize that you are exactly where you need to be, and you are just as successful as your classmates. You’ll find that you are greater than you think!

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