When I logged into my first online class in my master’s program, the first assignment was to introduce myself to my classmates in the discussion forum. Initially, I was excited to meet everyone, but introductions quickly began to feel like a pre-game warmup, where everyone was parading their credentials and job titles.
I was working in human resources at the time, hoping that a master’s degree in communication would help me change my career path. But many of my peers were already knee-deep in the field with experience in public relations, journalism or social media. I had none of that, and my experience looked very small compared to theirs.
It was a little discouraging to start my program that way. I had been so excited about going back to school, only to log on and feel three steps behind already. I felt like I didn’t belong.
Maybe you’ve been there, too, either at school or at work. Imposter syndrome is something the majority of people experience at some point in their lives. If that’s you, here are a few things that helped me survive and thrive in the classroom as a student.
Break your thought patterns. When you find yourself working through a challenging assignment or conversation with your peers, and feelings of inadequacy start creeping up on you, send up a little red flag in your mind. Pay attention to your reaction when the road gets rough. If you can recognize it, you can get ahead of it.
Diagnose growing pains. Some days, the work will feel more difficult than others. Sometimes you might feel inadequate. This is not a sign that you don’t belong in the classroom. Remember, you are learning and stretching your mind. That can be an uncomfortable feeling sometimes. When you exercise, you might experience muscle soreness the next day. That doesn’t mean you should give up on exercise—it’s simply part of the process of adjusting to new ways of using your body. The same principle applies to your mind.
Record your accomplishments, no matter how small. As a student, I started keeping a list journal to help me see clearly each day how far I had come. I made four lists every night before bed answering these questions:
- What did I accomplish today?
- What do I want to accomplish tomorrow?
- What am I thankful for today?
- What do I need help with?
Your list will give you something concrete to return to when you’re feeling discouraged. It will help you remember why you’re here and what you want tomorrow to look like.
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