Tips for SMFA First-Years
To be honest, my first year at SMFA at Tufts was a bumpy road. I laughed a lot, cried a lot, but most importantly, I learned countless important life…
Impostor Syndrome as a Senior
If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong in a class, school, job, club, or really any setting because of your background... you’re not alone. Impostor syndrome is very common among first-generation, low-income, students of color at predominantly white institutions (PWI). I remember feeling like a fraud for being at Tufts, especially in lectures and classes where my peers would use really fancy vocabulary or explain a concept with ease that I had never heard before or understood. I would often shut down, not ask any questions, and leave class feeling like it was a mistake that I was at Tufts. I’ve done a lot of work to empower myself and change my mindset of what is the important capital that I bring to my classes. This did not happen overnight and it definitely did not happen alone. Surrounding myself with my FGLI community and upperclassmen that had gone through similar experience really opened my eyes to the depth of assets that I bring to any space. I truly admired the women of color that had paved the way and created community for us at Tufts and realized that I had that same power and fire in me. Going to the FIRST Center events, POC circle at the Women’s Center, being a Peer Leader for BEAST (a pre-orientation program through the FIRST center) really showed me the power of our community at Tufts.
Now, I’d be lying if I said that I never feel that way anymore, because I do. I recently have had these feelings come up for me again as I transition to post-grad life. I have been feeling unqualified for any job, I have been doubting my network in supporting me in the college search, but most importantly I have not taken opportunities for fear I’ll be rejected or fail. It has been scary to think about moving on from college and the strong support systems I have found at Tufts. What does it mean to be on my own? I keep reminding myself that I am not on my own and that people have done it before me. I have been reaching out to past students I’ve had relationships with, the career center for resume support, and my friends for emotional support. It happens.
In battling impostor syndrome, I think it’s important to keep a couple of things in mind.
-
First, understand that the development of the concept “excluded the effects of systemic racism, classism, xenophobia, and other biases” (Tulshyan & Burey). Although the feelings and experiences are extremely real, it is important to acknowledge the situations and systems that create these feelings.
-
Second, “the answer to overcoming imposter syndrome is not to fix individuals, but to create an environment that fosters a number of different leadership styles and where diversity of racial, ethnic, and gender identities is viewed as just as professional as the current model” (Tulshyan & Burey). There are steps that you can take to combat your personal feelings of impostor syndrome but know that systemic changes need to happen to get rid of imposter syndrome.
-
Third, you are NOT alone. You are NOT alone. You are NOT alone. Part of what impostor syndrome and oppressive systems do is to make you think that you are going through this on your own. You are not! There are peers and adults around you that are experiencing or have experienced feeling like they don’t belong or deserve to be where they are.
-
Most importantly, REACH OUT to the people around you. If you’re coming into Tufts reach out to current students to get advice and share what you’re feeling. If you are a current student reach out to peers, the identity centers, and upperclassmen that are wanting to be there for you. It is through community support and empowerment that we can fully see our talents.
Check out Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome by Ruchika Tulshyan and Jodi-Ann Burey!
