Almost every day since beginning my undergraduate degree in journalism, I’ve questioned whether or not I belong in my program. I can still pinpoint the exact moment when my feelings of insecurity began.
On the first day of class, I entered the room bright-eyed and anxious, and introduced myself to the first classmate I spotted. When I gave him my name and extended a sweaty palm, he gripped my hand hard and introduced himself as “a published author.” I’m sure you could have seen the dread wash over my face.
That’s where it began. The inner monologue of insecurity. The voice in my head constantly nagging, “Maybe you don’t belong here.”
The thing is, most university students feel this way too.
According to the Harvard Business Review, these feelings are called Imposter Syndrome. They are defined as a “collection of feelings of inadequacy that persist despite evident success.”
Boman Reid, a third-year media production student, feels this self-doubt all of the time.
“Everyone has their own idea of what makes you successful in this program,” he said.
Reid went from getting good grades in high school and being heavily involved in extracurriculars, to feeling as if he were bad at everything he was doing in his first year at Ryerson, he said.
“When you look at what other people are doing, it can make you feel like you have to emulate that, but that doesn’t speak to your own truth,” he said. “It’s very necessary to be comfortable just not knowing where things are going.”
Other students, like Robert Black, a fourth-year sociology student, say that uncertain job prospects fuel his Imposter Syndrome.
Black said he is constantly comparing himself to his classmates, who he feels have “everything figured out.” This comparison causes personal insecurity and doubt in what the future will hold after his graduation, he said.
Kylie Shuparski, a 28-year-old fashion design student, said being a mature student contributes to her Imposter Syndrome.
“On top of feeling you’re not good enough, you also hear the clock ticking,” she said. “There’s not enough time to second guess anything.”
“I still don’t feel like I’m particularly good at anything I have learned in the program,” Shuparski said.
Although Imposter Syndrome acts as a mental roadblock, it isn’t impossible to overcome. According to Alyssa Clarkson of the University of Waterloo, there are strategies to combat Imposter Syndrome.
In an article for Campus Wellness, Clarkson writes that comparing yourself to others is toxic. The only comparisons a student should be making is to their past selves, and gaging their personal achievements in this way.
Clarkson also says that celebrating all achievements is vital. “Each achievement, big or small, is the result of dedication and action on your part,” she writes.
However, if you can’t get rid of your imposter feelings, Clarkson says the best thing to do is contact a professional. The Ryerson University counselling services are open Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. for students looking for guidance.