Overcoming Imposter Syndrome (Spring 2025, Week 14)

When I was in middle school in Saudi Arabia, I decided to become a lawyer. By 12th grade, I planned to study law in the U.S., only to learn that it required a bachelor’s degree first. Since many pre-law students chose political science, I did the same—despite having no background in American politics.

In class, I felt out of place. My classmates confidently discussed political theories and global affairs, while I struggled to keep up. I often wondered, “Did I get here by luck?” or “What if they realize I don’t know as much as they do?” These thoughts held me back, making me hesitant to speak in discussions.

What I didn’t realize at the time was that I was experiencing imposter syndrome—the feeling that I wasn’t as capable as others believed, despite my achievements.

What Is Imposter Syndrome?

Imposter syndrome is that persistent voice in your head telling you that you’re a fraud, that your success is just luck, and that sooner or later, people will “find out” you’re not as smart or talented as they think. Studies show that nearly 70% of people experience it at some point, especially in competitive academic or professional environments.

How It Showed Up in My Life

As a political science student, my imposter syndrome often flared up in these ways:

Comparing myself to classmates who seemed to grasp concepts faster.
Downplaying my accomplishments—even when I got good grades, I told myself it was just because the professor was lenient.
Avoiding participation in class because I feared saying something “unintelligent.”
Over-preparing for presentations to the point of exhaustion, just to avoid being “exposed.”

I remember once staying up all night rewriting a paper because I was convinced my first draft wasn’t “good enough,” even though my professor had praised my previous work. That’s when I realized: I wasn’t struggling with my abilities—I was struggling with my mindset.

How I Started Overcoming It

Recognizing the Pattern
- I began journaling my thoughts and noticed a trend: every time I succeeded, I dismissed it. Seeing this in writing helped me challenge those thoughts.
Talking About It
- When I opened up to friends, I was shocked to learn that many of them felt the same way—even the ones I thought were “naturally brilliant.”
Reframing My Thoughts
- Instead of “I don’t belong here,” I shifted to “I earned my place, and I’m still learning.”
- I started keeping a “win log” where I recorded small victories—like contributing in class or receiving positive feedback.
Embracing Imperfection
- I accepted that not knowing everything was normal. Political science is vast—no one has all the answers!
Seeking Mentorship
- Talking to professors and older students helped me see that even experts once felt unsure. Their advice? “Confidence isn’t about knowing everything—it’s about being willing to learn.”

Tips to Combat Imposter Syndrome

If you’ve ever felt like an imposter, here’s what helped me—and might help you too:

Normalize the feeling—most high achievers experience it at some point.
Focus on progress, not perfection—growth matters more than flawless performance.
Celebrate small wins—keep a journal of achievements to remind yourself of your capabilities.
Talk about it—you’ll realize you’re not alone.
Ask for feedback—sometimes, an outside perspective can silence your inner critic.

Final Thoughts

Imposter syndrome doesn’t disappear overnight, but it does get quieter. Now, when I feel that familiar doubt creeping in, I remind myself: I am here because I worked for it. My perspective matters. And I don’t have to be perfect to belong.

If you’re struggling with these feelings, know that you’re not alone—and you’re definitely not a fraud. You’ve earned your place. Keep going.

Need support?

Remember, MSU’s Counseling Center is a great resource—you get 8 free sessions every semester to talk through anything on your mind. You can also reach out to CAST for student academic assistance—sometimes, a little guidance goes a long way. Plus, your peer mentors and coaches have likely been where you are and can offer real, relatable advice.

~Yomna

(Bio: I’m Yomna Awad, a grad student in my final semester of Project Management (with a Conflict Resolution certificate!). Fun fact: My birthday is March 20th—which also happens to be the International Day of Happiness… so yes, I take the “treat yourself” mentality very seriously.)

References

Clance, P. R. (1985). The impostor phenomenon: Overcoming the fear that haunts your success. Peachtree Publishers.

Hibberd, J. (2019). The imposter cure: How to stop feeling like a fraud and escape the mind-trap of imposter syndrome. Vermilion.

Mann, S. (2019). Why do I feel like an imposter? How to understand and cope with imposter syndrome. Watkins Media.

Parkman, A. (2016). The impostor phenomenon in higher education: Incidence and impact. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 16(1), 51–60.

Vergauwe, J., Wille, B., Feys, M., De Fruyt, F., & Anseel, F. (2015). Fear of being exposed: The trait-relatedness of the impostor phenomenon and its relevance in the work context. Journal of Business and Psychology, 30(3), 565–581.

Young, V. (2011). The secret thoughts of successful women: Why capable people suffer from the impostor syndrome and how to thrive in spite of it. Crown Business.

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