Academic Success and Imposter Syndrome

Over Reading Week I attended an Academic Success workshop on Imposter Syndrome titled “Learning from Failure and Challenge”. This is one of a group of workshops in U of T Student Life’s “Learning How to Learn" series.

These Academic Success workshops are open to all students and are meant to help with the struggles that U of T students experience over the school year. These workshops address issues such as stress, procrastination, failure, and habits for staying healthy and happy. 

Each workshop begins with a One Good Minute exercise which is meant to help us think compassionately about ourselves. The session I attended took three minutes for this exercise and it felt like a little meditation. 

In the session on imposter syndrome and learning from failure the hosts identified what causes imposter syndrome and how it can be dealt with.

The notes I took:

Defining Imposter Syndrome/Phenomenon

• Feelings that arise as a reaction to a (new) learning environment
• Common in academia
• Sense of not belonging and difficulty internalizing accomplishments 
• Inability to share fears with others
• Negative self talk = stops ability to learn successfully
• It is a short term experience

To learn more about how students experience imposter syndrome check out this Varsity article on it. 

(Some) Strategies to Deal with Imposter Syndrome 

Growth Mindset

• I can learn anything [rather than: I’m either good or bad at it.]
• When I fail, I learn [rather than: When I fail, I’m no good.]
• If you succeed, I’m inspired [rather than: If you succeed, I feel threatened.]
• Always add the word ‘yet’: I’m not comfortable speaking in class, yet. 

Reflective Exercise 

• Ask yourself: will this matter in 5 days? 5 months? 5 years? 

I have always found that Academic Success workshops help me get back on track with my studies; they help me see the bigger picture. Much of the time I tell myself I am already aware of the strategies provided in the session, but the truth is I won’t incorporate those strategies into my life unless I am continuously reminded of them. Which is why attending Academic Success workshops help with maintaining a healthy mindset toward school. 

If you are interested in attending Academic Success workshops check out the Student Life website and sign up on CLNx.