Blog: Being real about PGR imposter syndrome
Written by Robin
Imagine this…
It’s 8am and you settle down in your favourite study space to enjoy a productive day as a postgraduate researcher (PGR). You’re six months into your research now, so you’re pretty confident you’re on top of your work. Then they arrive.
Sitting directly opposite you at the table (in the otherwise empty library) you half watch as they unpack their rucksack: laptop (obviously), external keyboard (well, why not), raised keyboard stand and external screen (perhaps they're short sighted), six large textbooks (wow!) and a 2-litre water bottle (how can anyone keep 2 litres of water inside them?). You watch fascinated as they open four of the books and constantly scan between them and the two screens whilst touch-typing at speed. They seem such an impressive research student — compared to you.
You try to refocus on your (ageing) laptop — the one with the sticking ‘k’ on the keyboard — yet, despite your best efforts, you can’t concentrate on that article you were reading: you’re only aware that your own self-confidence is gradually draining away…
Hello imposter syndrome
It honestly doesn’t take much for any of us researchers to move from hero to zero; for any of us to feel that we’re just not good enough, that we’re imposters here at UoB. If you’ve ever felt like that, then this blog is for you. It’s based on my own experience — including the multiscreen student with the huge water bottle. In this blog I plan to be real about imposter syndrome.
Let’s start with some semantics. What is an ‘imposter’? It’s someone who pretends to be someone they’re actually not. Most of us PGRs feel like imposters from time to time. We’re surrounded by talented academics who are at the top of their game; our supervisors seem to be constantly critiquing our work; we feel outclassed by other PGRs in seminars; we suspect there’s been a huge mistake, and we’ve been admitted to UoB accidentally. These are all common aspects of imposter syndrome. But feeling like an imposter and being an imposter are two different things. So, here are some practical tips to help you overcome imposter syndrome if and when it happens.
Tackling PGR imposter syndrome
Stay grounded. Keep a list celebrating all the positive truths about you.You’re not at UoB by accident: other candidates are not here because you were better. You’ve already proved that you’re capable of rigorous academic study: this is not your first degree. Your supervisors really do believe in you: they criticise your paragraph length (or your font size) because they genuinely want to help you achieve everything you’re capable of. You have successfully submitted a great Lit Review. Keep your list of achievements up to date and turn to it as soon as you start doubting yourself.
Be open. Supervisors and peers won’t automatically assume you’re comfortable talking about your personal feelings, so take the initiative and tell them how you really feel. Your openness will not only deepen your working relationships, you may well find that supervisors and friends will share what they learned when they were on this part of the PGR journey themselves. Most of them will have had their own ‘imposter’ moments and be able to relate and reassure you.
Set clear and realistic goals. When your research seems overwhelming, break it down into bite-sized chunks. I use a task manager to help me remember and prioritise key research tasks. So, when I have an ‘imposter’ moment, and everything seems too much, I know exactly where I can check on what I should be tackling that day — and this usually helps me to get back on track. If you keep your daily to-do lists realistically achievable, you're more likely to stay on top of your work and enjoy that buzz of accomplishment to boost your confidence, rather than ending the day feeling deflated by a list of unfinished tasks.
Plan rewards for milestone moments. Work out what you would really like as a special treat, and then tie that to a work milestone. Whether it’s going out for a meal, taking a trip to the sea, or walking in the hills, reward yourself for milestone moments — the Lit Review safely submitted; the Progress Panel enjoyed and completed; the tricky article summarised and assimilated.
Avoid comparing yourself to others. You never know what’s going on inside other people’s heads. For example, it turned out that the impressive multiscreen touch-typing student I recently shared a table with was really struggling to prioritise sources. They’d brought six books because they couldn’t choose between them — whereas I had successfully identified my one key article and was already targeting that. So, when you’re tempted to compare yourself to others, don’t! Step away and get back to work.
Use the support on offer. UoB has a range of brilliant support resources:
You belong at UoB
Imposter syndrome can affect us all. It certainly affected me — but, drawing on advice from friends, and some of UoB’s many support networks, I do feel I’ve won through. I now feel I’m truly on top of my PhD research — even though I still don’t have a 2-litre water bottle.
As a PGR here at UoB, you’re not an imposter pretending to be someone you’re not. You’re growing into the academic professional you’re on track to become.