By Megan Pocock, Content Team Contributor
For many university students, the excitement of starting a new chapter is often shadowed by an unsettling question: Am I in the right place? I certainly felt this way when I first started. New environments, social demands, and academic pressures can leave you questioning whether you belong or deserve to be here at all. If you’ve ever felt out of place, anxious and unsure in your university experience, you’re not alone.
Recognising Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome is that sneaky, inner voice that tells you you’re not good enough. It thrives on comparison, unrealistic expectations, and fear of failure, often whispering things like: “I don’t belong here,” “I only got in by luck,” or “Everyone else is doing better than me.” This self-doubt creeps in particularly during major life transitions, like university, and can feel overwhelming.
A common misconception about imposter syndrome at university is that it only occupies your first year anxieties. This isn’t true, the doom and gloom can be felt throughout your academic journey. As someone in the midst of my second year, I can openly admit I still feel these doubts regularly—but I’ve also picked up a few strategies to help me overcome them.
It’s important to recognise imposter syndrome for what it is: an emotional response, not a reality. Feeling like you’re not good enough doesn’t mean it’s true. Often, these thoughts are triggered by stepping out of your comfort zone, which is exactly what university is all about.
Strategies for Managing Imposter Syndrome
- Reconnect with Your Why
When doubts creep in, remind yourself why you chose your university in the first place. Was it the course content, the campus, or the chance to grow personally and academically? Revisiting those reasons can help ground you when you feel out of place.
2. Stop the Comparison Game
It goes without saying that this is much easier said than done. But It’s easy to look around and think everyone else has it together. Whether it’s social media or surface impressions, they rarely show the full picture. Everyone has their own struggles—they’re just not as visible as your own.
3. Celebrate Small Wins
Imposter syndrome often comes from focusing on what you haven’t achieved. Flip the narrative by celebrating the small victories: finishing a reading, contributing to a seminar, or making it to a social event. These little wins add up and can truly change your mind set on what you can go on to achieve.
4. Talk About It
You’d be surprised how many of your peers feel the same way but are afraid to admit it. The best thing I did at the start of the academic year was open up to my tutor about how I was feeling this immense pressure and anxiety to match others. Opening up to friends or even a student support service can make you feel less alone and help you see your experience in a different light. Imposter syndrome can take such an emotional toll on your self-belief and it’s not something you need to tackle alone.
5. Fake It ‘til You Make It (Within Reason)
I have always been sceptical of this advice as I felt it meant I needed to pretend to be someone I’m not. But sometimes acting like you belong can help you feel like you do. Confidence isn’t built overnight unfortunately but embracing this will help you practise self-assurance until it eventually becomes natural.
One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that discomfort is often a sign of growth. It’s easy to mistake the unfamiliar for failure, but university is a time for exploring who you are and where you’re going. You’re not supposed to have it all figured out from day one or even year two like me. I am still uncertain on where I want to take my career aspirations beyond university and that’s more than ok.
Some days will be harder than others but trusting the process and staying open to change is key. Whether that means switching courses, joining new societies, or just giving yourself permission to rest, every step you take is part of your journey. If you’re struggling with imposter syndrome, I want you to know that you are not alone, you are not a fraud, and you absolutely deserve your place at university.
