How College Students Can Better Manage Imposter Syndrome
Ever felt like you don’t belong? Have you struggled with guilt for being the first in your family to be able to attend college? Do you sometimes question your abilities despite your accomplishments?
You’re not alone. Imposter syndrome — struggling with the sense that you haven’t earned what you’ve achieved and are a fraud — impacts up to 82% of people. Also referred to as “imposter feelings” and “imposter phenomenon,” the experience is more common among women, marginalized communities and first-generation college students whose parents or guardians have not attained a bachelor’s degree at any college or university.
“Imposter syndrome can impact academics and social activities for students, and can contribute to mental health challenges,” says Meghan Van Keuren, interim director of the Counseling Center at Bentley. “A lot of the ways to manage it deal with understanding that it is normal. Talk about it with others and show some self-compassion: College is hard, you’re doing your best and at times, failure is a part of the process.”
Research found imposter feelings among college students could contribute to an overall sense of not belonging on campus and an increased sense of isolation. Vanessa Velasquez, first-generation experience specialist at Bentley, points to findings from The Journal of Higher Education that first-generation students are more likely to experience imposter syndrome, particularly in competitive academic environments.
“It’s completely natural to feel out of place at times, especially when you’re navigating a new environment and questioning whether the signals you’re receiving — both direct and indirect — are welcoming or validating,” says Velasquez. “But don’t let those thoughts define your journey. The road may get bumpy, and sometimes you might need to pause and regroup at a rest stop. That’s not only normal, but it’s also a part of the process. Remember, if you made it to Bentley, it’s because we believe in your potential. We know you have what it takes to succeed here, and we’re confident you belong here.”
STRATEGIES FOR MANAGING EXPECTATIONS
Van Keuren recommends that students find ways to focus on things they have been successful with and reframe their failures as things that have helped them grow and develop and, at times, become more successful. Taking breaks from social media, which tends to highlight only the best moments, is another way to help avoid feelings of inadequacy.
“Perfectionism has become such a common perspective for college students,” Van Keuren says. “They set such high standards for themselves, which often leads to them not feeling great when they don’t meet those expectations, which can increase feelings of imposter syndrome.”
In addition to recognizing that feelings of imposter syndrome are common, she shares these strategies for students:
Separate feelings of being a fraud from the facts — your actual skills and qualifications
Celebrate your strengths and accomplishments
Identify areas or traits you want to develop, and then seek help from support systems such as professors, friends, mentors and campus groups
Set realistic goals and learn from your mistakes
Show yourself compassion
TWO BENTLEY STUDENTS BEATING IMPOSTER SYNDROME
Jully Myrthil ’28 is a first-generation student from Providence, RI. She serves as a youth ambassador for the After School Alliance and for the Rhode Island Department of Health. In 2024, she co-founded Shades of Knowledge, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making education and literature accessible to all youth worldwide.
Ahmadou Balde, MBA ’18, PhD ’27 is an Executive PhD candidate. After completing a Bentley MBA in 2018, he co-led the creation of the NAD Complex, including a school and medical facility in his home country of Guinea. He serves as president of NAD Partnership, which promotes regional development by coordinating and enhancing education, healthcare and community engagement.
Below, they share their experiences with imposter syndrome and how they overcame it.
As a first-generation college student, I wrestled with imposter syndrome when I got to Bentley. Even though I excelled in high school, I felt like I didn’t deserve to be here.
The transition to college was hard. I experienced moments of self-doubt and imposter syndrome. I often questioned whether I truly belonged in this academic environment. There were countless nights when I wondered if I could thrive, especially when faced with rigorous coursework and unfamiliar challenges.
However, I recognized that these feelings of inadequacy do not define my journey. I made a conscious decision to confront my fears and push through the obstacles in my path.
I grew more confident in my ability and resilient with every struggle. I reached out for help — such as going to professors’ office hours — built a support network and embraced a growth mindset. I came to understand that it’s not about perfection but progress.
I pushed through the doubts and made the President’s List my first semester. This accomplishment has affirmed that I am capable of success and that I can excel in an academic setting.
I hope my journey inspires other first-generation college students who may feel like outsiders in their educational journey. We can break barriers and pave new paths for future generations. My parents worked tirelessly to create opportunities for me. Their sacrifices motivate me to strive for excellence every day. I am excited to continue managing imposter syndrome, proving to myself — and to those around me — that I belong.
My aspiration to pursue a PhD began in 2018, upon returning to my home country of Guinea. Observing the lack of management educators and role models for the youth, I felt a deep desire to become a missionary teacher. I envisioned teaching at universities across Guinea, sharing my theoretical and practical experiences.
I entered the program in fall 2024. I was traveling back-and-forth from the U.S. to Guinea, serving as the head of the NAD Complex, a school serving over 500 students from pre-K to middle school, and a medical center currently transitioning from an ambulatory clinic to a children’s hospital.
I had achieved much success and was confident about the PhD. But I soon realized that earning a PhD would be far from easy. Surrounded by high-achieving and experienced individuals, I felt waves of self-doubt and uncertainty, going through an emotional rollercoaster of doubt and even paralysis. I experienced imposter syndrome.
The day-to-day responsibilities of managing the school and medical center left me with limited time to complete the extensive readings required for the program. Academic readings are esoteric and difficult to grasp, especially for a non-native English speaker like me. I found myself needing to read and reread texts to fully understand their core arguments. I struggled with feelings of inadequacy.
What kept me going was the flexibility of the PhD program and the understanding of the professors. Because our class met in person every six weeks, our cohort got to meet each other and foster relationships without the pressure of attending a classroom. Our weekly online meetings provided a consistent flow, while the professors’ flexibility with assignment deadlines emphasized understanding the material over rigid submission schedules. This approach gave me often the time and space to catch up as I was always behind, ensuring that the focus remained on learning and growth.
This is one of the reasons I returned to Bentley after my MBA. Here, the feelings of imposter syndrome don’t lead to endless self-doubt or paralysis; instead, they serve as motivation for self-improvement and focus.
My advice to other students who doubt themselves is to understand that an education, especially earning a PhD, is a marathon not a sprint. What matters is not being the first to reach the finish line but simply getting there.
Second, be patient with yourself. During my first semester, my Organizational Theory professor often told me and other students that things would start making sense by the end of the semester. This turned out to be true; all the readings began to come together and make sense as the semester progressed.
Finally, be kind to yourself. When I shared my struggles with imposter syndrome with Jill [Brown], the head of the program, she helped me realize that I was not alone. She shared her own experiences of attending conferences as both a student and a presenter where she felt inadequate. By being vulnerable and open about my pain, I found the strength to rebuild my confidence and pursue this journey. This path is undoubtedly a challenging one, but it has already been deeply transformative.
Need Support?
If feelings of imposter syndrome are impacting your functioning or emotional well-being and you want further support, take a look at the resources offered by the Bentley Counseling Center. It’s easy to schedule an appointment online with their online scheduler. If you aren’t ready to walk into the Counseling Center, you can receive virtual services directly through their partner, Bettermynd, without ever leaving your room. Still not sure? Seek out a Let’s Talk drop in conversation and see what it’s like to talk to a counselor. Whichever route you go, know that there are plenty of resources to support you.