Former Student and Psychology Professor Discuss Imposter Syndrome
By Skyler Elliot | Observer Contributor
Many students face a time at some point in their lives when they feel uncomfortable in their own skin. Imposter Syndrome holds no prejudice when choosing its victims: race, age, gender, culture, physical ability, or level of intelligence, imposter syndrome isn’t picky, and it can affect anyone.
Imposter Syndrome can be displayed in several forms, showing itself through symptoms of perfectionism and isolation, as well as established or recurring feelings of not belonging. It can also cause one to feel as if they don’t deserve the achievements that they have worked for. Someone with imposter syndrome may also feel as if the accomplishments they have achieved are not good enough.
Julie Capozzi, a Psychology Instructor at MWCC, explained that even “though the imposter phenomenon isn’t an official diagnosis listed in the DSM, psychologists and others acknowledge that it is a very real and specific form of intellectual self-doubt.” She described that some of the impacts this syndrome has on people were that “imposter feelings are generally accompanied by anxiety and, often, depression.”
Imposter syndrome can hit students hard and can even make confident students doubt their abilities.
Walter Bouchard is a former college student who majored in “English with a concentration in creative writing.” During the interview, Bouchard described the way he was passionate about the courses he took. Bouchard mentioned that he “enjoyed poetry classes, both literature and creative writing [and that] those classes are what made [him] attracted to [his] eventual major.”
However, Bouchard also had his own experience with imposter syndrome.
Though he may have chosen a major that he was interested in, Bouchard still said he felt “like other people [had] their lives and [their] agendas so much better put together than [himself].” Elaborating further, he explained that “sometimes it can be hard to imagine [himself] being successful at long-term roles or projects.”
When students experience feelings like this, Capozzi said that “good time management and mindfulness techniques are very helpful in reducing [the] stress [that can be associated with imposter syndrome].” This can help to break down bigger long-term projects into smaller, much more manageable ones, and it can make big decisions easier to tackle because they will be less intimidating in approach.
Capozzi also suggested that students “plan for the future but [that they shouldn’t] let it dominate [their] actions.” She stated, “Feeling proud of accomplishments no matter how small can increase [the] positive energy felt [by an individual].”
There are times, though, when those accomplishments may not seem like they are worth celebrating. Bouchard, for instance, “had classes in subjects that were very interesting to [him, but] wound up apathetic toward [them] because the instruction wasn’t engaging or challenging.”
He mentioned that one of the biggest issues he faced when it came to feeling successful in his college courses was that “[he] felt like in any class, if [he] was motivated to succeed, [he] would do well. But some classes it felt like the professors wanted to be there less than the students [and] that’s when [he] was prone to struggle.”
For Jorge Echevarria, though, comfort comes with ease.
Echevarria is a 28-year-old military veteran who was previously enlisted in the Army National Guard. He is also a local resident of Gardner who actively tries to engage with his community. He is someone who has “always felt comfortable in [his] own skin.”
This, of course, may mean different things for different people, but when it comes to describing his experience in the military, Echevarria explained that he “never felt more at home in [his] life as it gave [him] something [he] never knew [he] needed. [Which was] a platform [for him] to grow how [he wanted]”.
He said that “the training [he] received was very much like anyone in college” and emphasized that “you’re the only person who can push you.” It’s up to you to create your own network of support that will help you to achieve your goals.
Echevarria offered some advice on establishing a support system. He suggested that “when you’re a long way from home, you have to be able to trust any and every number of people with you to have your back, basically making you a family.”
Imposter syndrome may cause others to fixate on expectations, and Capozzi reminded students that “sometimes we hold back on developing what we want to become due to [the] pressure of ‘shoulds’ [crafted by our impression of the expectations in our surrounding society].”
However, Echevarria suggested that regardless of society, if you need support, you should “always ask for help, because you’re not alone and [there is always] someone in need of your [ help as well].”
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