Is a Master of Professional Studies Program Right for Me?

Take The Free Quiz
decorative graphic
decorative graphic

How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome in Graduate School

decorative graphic

You may have come across the term “imposter syndrome” at some point in your life and maybe thought it only pertained to professionals in their fields. But the fact is that it’s actually quite common among graduate students. Research suggests that up to 70% of adults may experience it at least once in their lives. In this article, we will share helpful tips for helping to develop resilience against this phenomenon.  

Why think about imposter syndrome in the context of graduate school? Because imposter syndrome is so common, and it’s important to know how to recognize it. It can often impact your academic performance by lowering your confidence and taking energy away from your studies. The important thing to realize is that you have accomplished so much already, and you have earned your place in your graduate program. 

What is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is a term often used to describe feelings of self-doubt, inadequacy, and incompetence coupled with a fear of being found out as a fraud. Those experiencing imposter syndrome often feel as though they aren’t as intelligent or accomplished and that they achieved their success because of external factors such as luck or timing.1

The number of people who experience this phenomenon is likely higher than you might have thought. In graduate school, imposter syndrome manifests itself as comparing yourself negatively to other students, and wondering if you are smart enough or deserving enough to be there. It affects your self-confidence and adds unnecessary stress to your life.

Developing Resilience

Common strategies you can use to help you develop resilience and overcome imposter syndrome include: 

  1. Speaking up: Let your professor or advisor know how you are feeling. Ask for help, and don’t be surprised if they share their own stories of overcoming self-doubt. Reach out to your classmates, they may be going through the same challenges and can offer advice or support. Numerous resources are available to help you. All you need to do is speak up!
  2. Reframing the narrative: Practice positive thinking by reframing your thoughts and focusing on how far you have come. Celebrate your accomplishments! Remove the emotion and look at the facts. The fact is you worked hard to get here. Don’t let anyone, especially yourself, take that away from you.
  3. Leveraging your classmates: You and your classmates have unique strengths. Some classmates may even have more experience than you in a particular subject matter. Learning from your classmates and seeing other perspectives is exactly what will make your experience in your program that much more valuable. Remember, everyone in your program is there to learn — it’s not a competition.
  4. Remembering you’re a student: Don’t let minor setbacks derail your progress. You may not get straight A’s on all your assignments, but that’s okay. Use it as an opportunity to recognize where you might need to ask for help or spend a little more time understanding the subject matter. You are a student, after all, and your purpose is to learn. Keep doing your best, ask for help when needed, and keep moving forward.
Graduate school is an exciting journey, and we hope that this article provides another tool for you to help build confidence and be more successful in your program. It’s not luck, you are on your grad school path because you earned your place in the program. Your dedication and hard work brought you to this point. Remember to celebrate your victories, and don’t dwell on the setbacks. Instead, reframe them in your mind as opportunities to learn and grow! 
1 Benisek, Alexandra. “What Is Imposter Syndrome?” WebMD, January 15, 2022. https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-imposter-syndrome.