I learned a few things during my first year. One of the things I learned is called “Imposter Syndrome.” The term was first coined in 1978 by Pauline Clance and Suzanne Imes “to designate an internal experience of intellectual phoniness.”[i] People suffering from imposter syndrome “maintain a strong belief that they are not intelligent” despite any evidence to the contrary (pg. 241). This study specifically studied high-performing women, but some of the causes of this syndrome also apply to men. This syndrome is problematic because it can become a paralyzing fear and sends people into a tailspin of depression and anxiety or prevents them from pursuing their dreams because they think someone will discover that they are a fraud and kick them out of their program. Imposter syndrome appears in graduate school
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What is talking about feelings ultimately going to do? Won’t it just make people work less?”
This discussion is not about getting people to work less, but rather to work smarter. Ernest Rutherford (of chemistry fame) once saw a student working late one evening and asked if he worked in the morning as well. The student, thinking to impress Rutherford, said yes. Rutherford responded, “But when do you think?” He actually restricted the hours his students worked, and many of them went on to win Nobel prizes. There is no substitute for hard work. And sometimes, long hours are required. But Rutherford had many good ideas; perhaps this is another example.
So really, sometimes it is just better to sleep, run, play that instrument, or spend time with your family/significant other. Sometimes, you need to talk to a therapist or a support group. I have found comfort, resources, and perspective in talking with the other female graduate students in my department’s women’s group. And sometimes, you need to talk to your peers and find out that you are not
What is talking about feelings ultimately going to do? Won’t it just make people work less?”
This discussion is not about getting people to work less, but rather to work smarter. Ernest Rutherford (of chemistry fame) once saw a student working late one evening and asked if he worked in the morning as well. The student, thinking to impress Rutherford, said yes. Rutherford responded, “But when do you think?” He actually restricted the hours his students worked, and many of them went on to win Nobel prizes. There is no substitute for hard work. And sometimes, long hours are required. But Rutherford had many good ideas; perhaps this is another example.
So really, sometimes it is just better to sleep, run, play that instrument, or spend time with your family/significant other. Sometimes, you need to talk to a therapist or a support group. I have found comfort, resources, and perspective in talking with the other female graduate students in my department’s women’s group. And sometimes, you need to talk to your peers and find out that you are not