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The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland
30.09.2025
Do you know the feeling? I’m sitting in a lecture when my classmate raises their hand and asks a question. I think it is the most insightful question I’ve ever heard. The person continues explaining their own perspective with references I’ve never heard of. Half of the class nods in agreement, and I find myself thinking, “How can they know all that? Am I not smart enough? How long does it take everyone to notice I do not belong here?”
Simply put, impostor syndrome refers to a state where a person feels they haven't earned their achievements, but rather that they result from some kind of mistake or coincidence.
Surprisingly, up to 70% of people experience impostor syndrome at some point in their lives - including me. Impostor syndrome is not a rarity, even though it may feel that way when you experience it.
Back in the days, I got into the final of the National skills competition Taitaja, and I remember thinking “the Judges must have been just kind to me”. When I got accepted to the University, I thought, “I guess I got in because there weren't many applicants.” After getting my first good grade, my brain told me, “That was just luck”. Sound familiar?
Studies show that impostor syndrome is equally common among university students at all stages of their studies, and with all kinds of grades. It is a comprehensive phenomenon that is not linked to academic performance or experience.
The academic environment tends to have a nasty way of emphasizing what you don’t know, instead of highlighting what you already know. On one hand, this creates an excellent environment for continuous learning, but on the other hand, it also provides fertile ground for impostor syndrome.
Sometimes, sitting in a lecture, it feels like everyone else has read every book ever written on the subject, while I’m having trouble understanding basic concepts. It’s easy to forget that expertise takes years to develop. People aren't born already knowing everything about quantum mechanics or Plato.
Confusion is a normal part of learning. Having trouble understanding is a normal part of learning. There is no such thing as a “Natural genius”, even if the environment sometimes suggests otherwise.
The problem worsens if there’s little constructive feedback or none at all. It’s no wonder students experience impostor syndrome if they don’t know what they’re good at. This leads us to start avoiding opportunities – like internships or positions of responsibility – thinking that "I'm not qualified enough.”
Here’s something I’ve slowly learned to accept: learning is sometimes difficult, and self-worth – now that’s damn hard.
But I want to tell you something: each of you brings something unique to this community. Maybe it’s the way you ask questions that others don’t dare to ask, but still wonder about. Maybe it’s your ability to connect points differently. Maybe it’s your courage to question old habits and practices.
I myself noticed I’m good at summarizing things, which is a skill I didn’t initially consider valuable. I thought it meant I didn’t understand things deeply enough. Now I understand that the ability to summarise a large amount of information is actually a very useful skill.
Your uniqueness can be many different things. Maybe you’re able to see connections between theory and practice. Or maybe you bring up fresh points of views, which are the result of your own various life experiences. Or maybe you’re brave enough to say out loud “I don’t understand” - and that courage can help others learn too.
Your stories, experiences, and ways of thinking are just as valuable and valid as anyone else's. They are not obstacles to learning but rather a resource for it.
Sometimes I still find myself sitting at a lecture or a meeting, and thinking “do I belong here”. Now the difference is I know my thoughts are not telling the whole truth. My own journey to overcome impostor syndrome has been challenging, and it’s still not completely over. It’s a journey, not a destination. During this, I’ve learned a few things I want to share with you.
Firstly: intelligence is not a competition. It’s not a battle where someone else’s success means your failure. Your value isn’t defined by your ability to sound smart in every conversation or how easily and effortlessly you can learn new things.
Secondly: uncertainty doesn’t mean incompetence. It means you’re growing, being curious, and learning new things. If everything always felt easy, maybe the environment is not challenging enough for you to grow as a person.
The next time you’re sitting at a lecture, meeting, or seminar, and you find yourself thinking “do I really belong here?”, remember this: YES YOU DO! You’re not an impostor. You’re a unique student, just like we all.
Remember, we all have our own insecurities. Even that one classmate who asked that unbelievably great question. That classmate can suffer from impostor syndrome as well, just like you. We just happen to see each other’s best moments, instead of the internal struggles we are going through in our own heads
Kangas, M. (2025). Kaikki tiet vievät huijarisyndroomaan. [Pro gradu -tutkielma, Turun yliopisto]. UTUPub. https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2025043034030
Emilia Kivikoski, Board Member, Social Policy, The Student Union of the University of Eastern Finland (ISYY), emilia.kivikoski(at)isyy.fi