Imposter Syndrome: Where does it come from and where does it lead?
Written By: Lilly Hoffer ‘26
Edited By: Angelica Marin ‘27
Fall comes with changing leaves and cozy afternoons, but slowly creeping behind its facade of warmth comes deadlines, decisions, and uncertainty. Fall is the capstone of new beginnings when it comes to all things academia. This fall I am faced with midterms, grad school applications, and looking for my first real job post-grad. With anxious students studying for midterms filling the seats of Mugar more and more everyday, it becomes difficult to keep your mind away from the thief of joy: comparison. How long have they been studying? Are their notes better? Are they more prepared than me? This mentality even follows me into my graduate school applications, with the idea that somebody else is more qualified, that I don't deserve a spot at that school of my choice. The same goes for the professional field. The ultimate goal is to feel like you seem like you belong, and failing at this can be so intimidating. So many moving parts of my life are crashing down on me all at once but the only thought I can work through is: “Do I deserve these opportunities given to me?”
Imposter syndrome is a phenomenon where a person lives in fear of being exposed for being undeserving of their accomplishments, or, in simpler terms, for being a “fraud.” This internal voice limits our ambitions and even causes us to under-perform in the fear of falling short. This can stem from low self-esteem, perfectionism, and comparison to those around us. As a first-generation college student, things can feel especially heavy as personal and familial expectations for success stack on top of each other. This uphill battle becomes tolling if left uncared for, so here are some ways I am coping this fall.
First, I have been learning to give myself grace. Giving yourself grace to make mistakes and reminding yourself of your worth is awfully difficult, especially if you can't even recognize your accomplishments. I remind myself of what I’ve already achieved in order to push myself further towards my goals. I was accepted to my university because they believe I have what it takes to flourish academically and represent the school’s values. The chance to study at a highly accredited university in one of the most culturally relevant cities in the country is something that a board of directors decided I was capable and deserving of. I was admitted as a transfer student and worked hard for my place at BU.
Next, I recognize my impact. Everything you do inside and outside of campus leaves impacts on others and the community. I think of all of the clubs I participate in from Greek life to mentoring to volunteering. There are opportunities I have received because of my dedication and the lives I have touched from the work I’ve done. I remind myself that I deserve to be in the place I am in because I use my opportunities to not only help myself achieve my goals, but also to help others.
Most importantly, I surround myself with people who never let me forget my worth. Your support system in college is the most important opportunity you will be granted in your four years. The people around me have done nothing but support, accommodate, and endlessly encourage me to pursue all my endeavors no matter how much I doubt myself. There are ten people I could text right now and ask them to proofread an application for me and I would have feedback by the end of the day. These people I surround myself with remind me to give myself grace, recognize my impact, and allow me to reflect and appreciate what I’ve done.