{"id":910,"date":"2022-02-28T02:55:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-28T02:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/?p=910"},"modified":"2025-05-06T16:15:47","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T00:15:47","slug":"battling-impostor-syndrome-how-to-fight-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/battling-impostor-syndrome-how-to-fight-back","title":{"rendered":"Battling Impostor Syndrome: How to Fight Back"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 ez-toc-wrap-center counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">In This Article<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/battling-impostor-syndrome-how-to-fight-back\/#Give_Yourself_a_Break\" >Give Yourself a Break<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/battling-impostor-syndrome-how-to-fight-back\/#Remind_Yourself_of_Past_Achievements\" >Remind Yourself of Past Achievements<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/battling-impostor-syndrome-how-to-fight-back\/#Reassess_Your_Study_Practices\" >Reassess Your Study Practices<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/battling-impostor-syndrome-how-to-fight-back\/#Lean_On_Your_Support_System\" >Lean On Your Support System<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/battling-impostor-syndrome-how-to-fight-back\/#Lastly_Try_Try_Try_Again\" >Lastly, Try, Try, Try Again<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/battling-impostor-syndrome-how-to-fight-back\/#About_the_Author\" >About the Author<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Impostor Syndrome and Failure are phenomena that gravely affect the mental health of students in the healthcare sector. This article focuses on how students can cope.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Impostor syndrome is falsely believing that one is inferior to others based on fear of failure or disappointment. This is&nbsp;<strong>not an uncommon phenomenon amongst health care students<\/strong>, and I have personally experienced it on many levels of my medical school journey. Whether it be during class when others seemingly know answers you\u2019re oblivious to when exam results are released and you\u2019ve performed poorly compared to your study group, or on those days that your confidence isn\u2019t as strong as other days;&nbsp;<strong>sometimes we feel like we don\u2019t belong<\/strong>. We\u2019re groomed into perfection and mistakes are harshly criticized. We glorify achievement and success but we hide our disappointments from others because of the crippling fear of ridicule and embarrassment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the advent of the social media era, these phenomena have worsened. Imperfections have seemingly been blurred overnight as people post their best side at all times. The best poses, the biggest smiles, and the biggest achievements. We\u2019re often deceived into believing this fa\u00e7ade of perfection without a single stumble or obstacle. Suddenly, our own appearances and achievements appear dull in comparison to others, leading a lot of us to the belief that we are alone and inferior to others. So how do we fight back against this feeling of defeat, especially after a recent failure?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Give_Yourself_a_Break\"><\/span>Give Yourself a Break<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After a major disappointment or mistake, we tend to say negative things to ourselves; whether out loud or mentally. Self-compassion is the most important tool in combating disappointments.&nbsp;<strong>Try using positive statements<\/strong>&nbsp;in place of pessimistic ones. For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Instead of saying:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI failed this exam. I\u2019m the dumbest person in my class. I obviously don\u2019t belong in this program\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Try saying:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis disappointment is hurtful BUT I am smart and I have potential. I just need to work on changing my approach to the content\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This alternative statement still acknowledges the disappointment but shines a positive light on future possibilities for improvement. Regular affirmations can also be very helpful. The use of positive reinforcement has an unconscious effect. Every morning, try saying: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" height=\"1024\" width=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/image_43a787.png?w=1024\" alt=\"I am smart I am worthy I am hardworking I am resilient I will perform better I am deserving of a place at my faculty just like any other student.\" class=\"wp-image-912\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/image_43a787.png 1080w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/image_43a787.png?resize=150,150 150w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/image_43a787.png?resize=300,300 300w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/image_43a787.png?resize=768,768 768w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/image_43a787.png?resize=1024,1024 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Things may not get better immediately, but the more you say these positive words, the more these encouragements will circle your subconscious mind. Things may seem dim, but you can do this!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Remind_Yourself_of_Past_Achievements\"><\/span>Remind Yourself of Past Achievements<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Failure often causes us to lose sight of everything we\u2019ve achieved prior to that moment. We begin to feel like everything is crashing around us when that\u2019s not necessarily true. Placing visual reminders of the hard work you put into your past accomplishments in your surroundings can be encouraging during a spiral of negativity.&nbsp;<strong>Try putting pictures of the moment you\u2019re most proud of<\/strong>&nbsp;above your study desk, on the inner cover of your daily planner, or as the lockscreen of your phone. Past achievements can remind you that your worth is not tied to one experience or examination. You will live to succeed another day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Reassess_Your_Study_Practices\"><\/span>Reassess Your Study Practices<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Failure doesn\u2019t mean that you\u2019re unintelligent. Time management is a key determining factor in the outcome of our examinations. Tools such as written daily planners, Trello, and Google Calendar can assist you in scheduling your study time effectively at the beginning of each clerkship or semester. Don\u2019t forget to schedule your breaks and self-care days! It\u2019s important to prioritize relaxation and downtime as well. Be mindful of overworking when reassessing your study schedule. An overwhelmed and tired mind is counterproductive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lean_On_Your_Support_System\"><\/span>Lean On Your Support System<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Impostor Syndrome\u2019s key attacking point is isolation! It tricks us into believing that no one else is experiencing something remotely similar. However, in my experience, when I finally decided to open up,&nbsp;<strong>I realized that many friends and colleagues were experiencing similar things<\/strong>. We were all suffering in silence out of the fear of judgment by others. Don\u2019t bottle it up! Use your discernment to find supportive friends and family members that can pull you through this tough time of self-doubt. Counseling is also an option if you wish to preserve your privacy. Be sure to check your local faculty for&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/2020\/05\/26\/seeking-mental-health-services-as-a-medical-student\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">student support resources<\/a>&nbsp;as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If neither of these options is appealing to you, journaling is an effective tool of catharsis. However, always ensure to end your journal entries on a note of self-affirmation and gratitude. This maintains the beneficial impact of the journal entry and prevents the festering of negativity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lastly_Try_Try_Try_Again\"><\/span>Lastly, Try, Try, Try Again<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s okay to stumble. Failure does not define you and it is most definitely not the end of the road. Use this disappointing moment as a springboard to push you forward. You will bounce back! You\u2019re not alone and your feelings are valid. Reach out to a peer or mentor if you need support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"About_the_Author\"><\/span>About the Author<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, TeHilla Paul is a 4th-year medical student at&nbsp;<\/em><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mona.uwi.edu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The University of the West Indies Mona, Jamaica<\/a><\/em><em>. In her free time, she enjoys creating looks for her makeup page, managing her business, listening to music, and going on adventures. She aspires to be an Ophthalmologist but intends to pursue Philanthropy and Project Management as her main spheres of operation.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>_________________________<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Want to make the most of your studying strengths?\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/osmosis.org\/prime\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Osmosis<\/a>\u00a0is built for healthcare students who want to reach their full potential. Join today!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/register\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"498\" height=\"178\" src=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/image_e326c2.png\" alt=\"Learn more and forget less create an osmosis account.\" class=\"wp-image-913\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/image_e326c2.png 498w, https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/09\/image_e326c2.png?resize=300,107 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 498px) 100vw, 498px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Impostor Syndrome and Failure are phenomena that gravely affect the mental health of students in the healthcare sector. This article focuses on how students can cope. Impostor syndrome is falsely believing that one is inferior to others based on fear of failure or disappointment. This is&nbsp;not an uncommon phenomenon amongst health care students, and I [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":101,"featured_media":911,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[27,22,28,16,46],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-910","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-medicine","category-health-and-wellness","category-mental-health","category-do","category-student-stories"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Battling Impostor Syndrome: How to Fight Back - Osmosis Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.osmosis.org\/blog\/battling-impostor-syndrome-how-to-fight-back\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Battling Impostor Syndrome: How to Fight Back - Osmosis Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Impostor Syndrome and Failure are phenomena that gravely affect the mental health of students in the healthcare sector. 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