Module 3: Imposter Syndrome

Imposter Syndrome. Even if you’ve never heard of it, you’ve likely felt it. It’s that fear that you don’t deserve to be where you are. That any minute someone will notice that you aren’t as talented or skilled as everyone else. What you’re feeling about yourself in that moment isn’t true, but it is very common.

According to the International Journal of Behavioral Science, around 70% of people will experience impostor feelings. While anyone can have this experience, it’s been shown to be especially prevalent in people who fall outside the majority of the group, e.g., when someone is the only person of color on their team, or a person is significantly older/younger than their classmates (APA, 2013).

You may feel it several times throughout the boot camp, or maybe just during the one unit that frustrates you most. It is important to remember that this is a normal reaction, and there are ways to deal with it:

• Acknowledge your feelings. Feeling overwhelmed or anxious while you go through something challenging is normal and valid. Don’t upset yourself further by getting angry with yourself for having these emotions.

• Identify the triggers. Listing all the factors that could’ve brought on feelings of self-doubt will help you figure out how to address it, and potentially avoid it in the future. Maybe you got stuck on a class activity, but you also had a stressful day at work. Realizing how both factors contributed to negative feelings is important for solving the issue!

• Reframe your thinking. If you’re frustrated because of a low grade or mistakes you’ve made, try to remember that this is all part of the learning journey. This is a space for failing and learning. Also remember that you can usually update and resubmit assignments!

• Don’t go it alone. Your instructor, TAs, and student success manager want to help. Take advantage of office hours or one-on-one meetings to talk through challenges. Use Slack to form study groups or connect with a student who seems particularly adept at something you’re struggling through. All these people can get you through the rough patch.

• Remember you’re all here to learn. None of your peers would be in this boot camp if they knew everything there was to know. You may sometimes wonder why everyone else grasps something that you don’t, but sometimes you’ll feel really good at something. Those feelings of weakness and strength will be different for everyone, but rest assured that they’re all feeling them too. You’re not alone.