Imposter Syndrome

A knot of anxiety bundled in my stomach. I felt my breathing become faster, and my cheeks flush red. I was sitting in class, so intimidated to speak up and answer the professor’s question. Why did we have to do these class discussions anyway? All my classmates were so much smarter than me. They could read more quickly, think more critically, and speak more articulately than I could. Did I even belong in this college program?

My first year of college was filled with questions and situations like this. I knew I wanted to be in college, but I always felt a little out of place in my biology program. I liked science, but I had to work hard at it. When I started graduate school, these feelings intensified. I would think to myself, there is no way I’m smart enough to be here…I’m too young to be here…No one in my immediate family has ever done a Master’s… If only they found me out…Yikes!

It wasn’t until months into my master’s program that I could put a name to what I was experiencing: imposter syndrome.