As Andover students, we often find ourselves in a constant chase towards perfection, whether it’s taking difficult 5xx or 6xx courses, acing exams, excelling in sports, or leading extracurriculars — all while maintaining a vibrant social life. However, in our efforts to achieve our ambitions, many of us silently suffer from a pervasive “illness” here at Andover: imposter syndrome. This widespread feeling of self-doubt and insufficiency is not just an individual struggle but rather a collective issue that needs to be tackled directly.
Imposter syndrome manifests when one feels undeserving of their accomplishments, crediting success to luck or privilege instead of hard work. This trend has become especially common in teenagers who feel an overwhelming pressure to perform in all aspects of their lives. As Andover students, the moment that we receive our acceptance into this prestigious institution, we are immediately told that all our hard work during the application process paid off — that we are one of the special, extraordinary even, as an Andover student. Then we arrive at Andover, and what we were told is true: everyone who comes here is unique and talented, but the feeling of self-doubt slowly creeps in, tainting our high school experience. One bad test grade, one lost sports match, and one rigorous or confusing class is enough to trigger the onset of imposter syndrome. Suddenly, we’re constantly questioning our worth, and our fear of being exposed as a fraud, of not being one of those special Andover students, becomes even more exacerbated. Eventually, we end up viewing progress as a step closer to our downfall (an honestly hyperbolic and exaggerated thought to think of at such an early stage in our lives). Furthermore, the looming idea of college applications and acceptances plagues our minds, and with increasingly competitive college admissions and augmented use of social media, it’s no wonder that many of us see ourselves as shortcomings compared to the idealized versions of reality we are constantly being forced to face.
To escape these false realities, we should destigmatize the use of mental health resources and, instead, encourage students to access and employ these resources to the fullest. Students often feel dissuaded from mental wellness resources because of the social stigma surrounding it. Many cultures value self-sufficiency and perseverance, leading to a societal expectation that people should be able to manage their emotions or psychological well-being without outside assistance. Moreover, there is this fear of judgment where people worry about being perceived as weak, unstable, or incapable. Especially with imposter syndrome, many believe that they are inherently flawed and that their struggles are self-caused. These beliefs can prevent them from reaching out for support as they feel ashamed or unworthy. However, seeking help should never be denounced; instead, it should actually be seen as a sign of courage and a decision made through healthy introspection. It’s essential to normalize community conversations around mental health topics like imposter syndrome and the dangers of developing inferiority complexes. Especially at a renowned institution like Andover, where we’re constantly surrounded by talented and driven people, we need to recognize our own strengths and aim to cultivate an environment where healthy competition and growth are emphasized in every student’s mindset.
The Rebecca M. Sykes Wellness Center is the perfect place on campus for students to receive the support they need to help overcome their internal imposter. As Sykes says in their mission statement, they are “committed to practicing culturally-responsive care, providing a safe space for students to enhance their wellness, and guiding students in the development of proactive tools to be lifelong health advocates for themselves and those around them.” Their Psychological Services aims to serve the individual mental health needs of students while strengthening the psychological health and wellness of the Andover community. Students can meet counselors through scheduling an appointment by phone, email, or simply walking in. There is always an on-call counselor for emergency counseling services, and furthermore, the occurrence and extent of routine counseling are solely based on the needs of the student. To build a healthier student body, we should lobby for and promote the usage of the resources at Sykes and work to destigmatize these negative preconceptions about mental health counseling.
Moreover, we need to redefine the meaning of success in our outlook on life. Instead of striving for perfection, we should all celebrate progress in every form, no matter how small it is. When I first came to Andover, I was immediately challenged by the rigor of the physics course I was taking; however, after consistently doing practice problems every day for homework or classwork, it gradually became easier. I didn’t have to look back at my page full of equations because I had already memorized them after doing the problems so often. It was a step of progress that I didn’t even feel at first, but it helped me grow my love for physics even more. This experience taught me that every hurdle we overcome matters, regardless of how small it is. By setting smaller, more realistic goals as stepping stones towards our larger aspirations and taking the time to recognize our efforts, we can effectively combat the feelings of inadequacy that plague us. Success doesn’t happen overnight; it is found through diligence and resilience, making it all the more important to have self-confidence in order to tackle the obstacles and challenges that lie ahead of us.
Imposter syndrome reflects the pressures and struggles we all grapple with in today’s world. Andover is an environment meant to test us at every turn, often outside of our control, but the choice to embrace these challenges and view them as a step closer to success rather than our downfall is completely ours to make. By confronting imposter syndrome head-on together, we can dismantle the social stigma surrounding mental health issues and work together to form a supportive and understanding school community. Uplifting each other, celebrating achievements of all sizes, and acknowledging our worth are all instrumental to prevail over the “imposter” in all of us that attempts to destroy our sense of self-esteem. We are more than just grades or awards — we are all competent and tenacious individuals deserving of success and happiness.
