London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Imposter syndrome. It’s an issue many of us face, especially when entering a new environment or stage of life. 

When starting at LSHTM I was excited and nervous, however, after the first few weeks I felt the imposter syndrome creeping in. I came straight from my undergrad to study MSc Public Health (General Stream). Though there are a fair number of students like me, many more of my peers were already established in their field or had years of experience under their belts. I worried about how I could make useful contributions. Was it taking me longer to wrap my head around content in modules? Everything seemed so new to me, and I doubted my abilities. Looking back, I can see how hard I was on myself! In actuality, I had different skills, ideas, and experiences which weren’t any less valuable. If you've ever felt like this or that your success is just luck, you're not alone. 

Imposter syndrome - questioning our abilities and fearing we’ll be exposed as undeserving of our position. This TED Talk breaks it down nicely. Recognising imposter syndrome is the first step to tackling it. When stress and anxiety build up it leads to a cycle of doubt, avoidance, and burnout. So how do we break out of this?

Acknowledging achievements

1. Celebrate your wins, big and small. Finish an assignment ahead of schedule? Great job! Recognising the small things helps realise that you are not an imposter but a capable student making strides.
2. You’re at LSHTM! You were chosen to study here for a reason, that itself is an achievement. The Programme Directors recognised your potential and there is no doubt that you belong here.
3. Improvement is a process, and you’ll grow throughout the term. For me, this moment became clear when my work was used as an example in a seminar to help fellow peers. As you progress you will see that your contributions are important and truly valued.

Building resilience

4. Set realistic goals. The workload at the MSc level is intensive and imposter syndrome can make it feel heavier. Prioritise tasks but don’t overwhelm yourself. It’s ok if you don’t complete every reading, so be selective and take breaks when you need to. A great resource for prioritisation is the Eisenhower matrix.
5. Avoid comparing yourself to others. Every student is unique, and we work at our own pace so trust the process and appreciate your progress!
6. Be brave and try new things. Stepping out of your comfort zone can help quash imposter syndrome as you gain skills and experiences. Becoming a Centre Student Liaison Officer and a Student Ambassador helped me become self-assured and connect with people doing amazing work. I encourage you to challenge yourself and use opportunities to boost your confidence.

Developing a positive mindset

7. The biggest tip to dealing with imposter syndrome is reframing your thoughts. By challenging negative thoughts and substituting them with positive affirmations, you reshape the narrative in your mind. Mindfulness practices or keeping a gratitude journal can guide you away from self-doubt. Take a moment to reflect and remember, perfection is an illusion. Our imperfections make us human so allow yourself the grace to be a work in progress!
8. The MSc is a journey and it’s ok to make mistakes, after all we’re here to learn and improve. Collaborate with others, join study groups, share knowledge, and foster your positive mindset.

Seeking support

9. It’s important to know that you are not alone in this experience. Your student community and peers are so valuable, share your thoughts and doubts with friends and colleagues. Chances are, they've experienced similar feelings, opening up can help you feel a lot better.

10. Your personal tutor at LSHTM is your first point of contact for major concerns, they provide you with pastoral support and academic advice or guide you towards resources to help.
11. Mental health is as important as physical health. The LSHTM student wellbeing services are designed to offer the support you need so don't hesitate to reach out if you want to have a chat or work through solutions to issues. 

I've used some of these strategies in my own journey and have gotten much better at appreciating myself. I hope these insights empower you to navigate imposter syndrome with self-compassion. If you’re considering studying here don’t let imposter syndrome hold you back. As the saying goes "Believe you can and you're halfway there!"

• Contact Ashna via our student and alumni ambassadors page.
• Read more about the student support services LSHTM provides.