Impostor Syndrome How to detect and manage it in time before starting a PhD

Making the decision to start a PhD is a great aspiration, full of expectations and hopes. However, many large people who embark on this path toward a higher level of academic preparation may encounter a constant obstacle: that feeling of not being sufficiently prepared, accompanied by doubts about their abilities, as occurs with impostor syndrome.

In these cases, it is important to recognize that by choosing to study for a PhD, you are taking a leap into new experiences. This means considering comprehensive preparation from the outset, identifying impostor syndrome to prevent it from dampening your enthusiasm, and cultivating a resilient, positive, and more confident mindset.

Impostor syndrome: What does it mean?

It is a psychological pattern that causes a person to constantly doubt their knowledge, abilities, and moments of success, to the point of thinking that everything good that happens to them is due to luck. These are people who live with the persistent fear of not being able to do a job even though they are prepared, as if they were in a simulation and really knew nothing about it.

Psychologists Paullince Clance and Suzanne Imes were the first to define Impostor Syndrome in 1978, after studying 150 successful and highly qualified women who were disappointed with what they were doing and unable to accept that their success was real. This situation not only made them feel insecure but also demotivated, anxious, and led to low self-esteem, mental exhaustion, and extreme perfectionism as they tried to maintain the “charade” of the position or role they had been assigned.

Over time, it has been observed that, although it is more common in women, impostor syndrome can also affect men and, in general, anyone regardless of age. In fact, an article published in Time in 2018 states that “it is estimated that 70% of people experience these feelings of impostor syndrome at some point in their lives”; it also indicates that this figure is growing significantly in academic contexts that require high performance, such as a PhD.

Warning signs

Impostor syndrome can occur before you start your PhD, even though this phenomenon is usually associated with those who are already enrolled in a PhD program. The most common signs are:

Attributing personal achievements to luck

Fear of not being up to the standards of scholarship programs

Constant doubts about motivation

Constantly thinking that you are not qualified compared to other participants

All doubts should be taken into account in a timely manner to avoid postponing important decisions or giving up on the idea of pursuing a PhD.

Why does this syndrome appear in doctoral candidates?

People who decide to pursue a doctorate often face self-imposed pressure to be perfect in all areas of their lives: as professionals, as family members, and as academics. In many cases, this pressure is related to previous experiences of devaluation, low job recognition, and insecurities carried over from the education system.

Likewise, when it comes to online and distance learning doctoral programs, it is common for fears to arise related to time management, understanding the methodology, and performing in an international academic environment. This perception is especially intensified when there is no support network or people close by who have had similar experiences.

Prepare yourself from the start

The good news is that there are many tools available to curb impostor syndrome before starting a doctoral program. Below are some key recommendations.

Identify the phenomenon

It is important to recognize that this syndrome exists, that it is common, and that understanding and expressing it is not a weakness. This will allow you to avoid all the thoughts and emotions that limit you.

Take stock of your achievements

Review your personal, academic, and professional development. Document the milestones you have reached, the lessons you have learned, and all the challenges you have overcome. This will help you realize that you are not on this journey by chance.

Discover supportive communities

To make a difference, a virtual or face-to-face support group is essential. It is also very beneficial to participate in study groups, forums, webinars, or social media to share experiences with people who have similar professional interests.

Always be clear about your “Why”

Before taking the first step, pause for a moment. Ask yourself, honestly, why you want to pursue a PhD. Don't think about what you should say, think about what you really feel. What motivates you? What do you want to change in your environment or in yourself with this step? Writing down those reasons and keeping them visible can be a powerful anchor when doubts or difficult moments arise. Your purpose will be your inspiration and guide along the way.

Humanize the path to a PhD

There is a misconception about what a PhD really is. Most people see it as a stepping stone that is only available to people with perfect lives, who are very wise or know everything, but this is not the case. Those who pursue a PhD are real people, with fears, responsibilities, good days, and bad days. It's not about being a genius or never making mistakes; it's about learning, making mistakes, and moving on, about growing. Breaking this myth will allow you to walk the path with more freedom and without burdening yourself with guilt.

Seek specialized support

You don't have to do everything alone. If you feel you need help getting organized, focusing, or simply sustaining yourself emotionally, an academic mentor or graduate coach can make all the difference. Sometimes, having someone who already knows the process, who listens to you without judgment, and who helps you find clarity and transparency can be the ideal support you need to change the way you view this process.

The statistics speak for themselves

A survey published by Nature in 2020 revealed that more than 60% of doctoral students reported feeling, at some point, that they were not good enough. Many of those who offered these testimonies were brilliant, experienced, and accomplished individuals, but they lived with the uncomfortable feeling of not being “up to par.”

Meanwhile, a study published in the Online Learning Journal of the Online Learning Consortium (OLC) indicated that many institutions are recognizing the need to provide emotional support to students in online doctoral programs. This is an important pillar for recognizing and encouraging doctoral students to complete their degrees.

This data is not intended to impress you, but rather to offer relief and a fundamental truth: you are not alone in this experience. Many people with similar doubts and fears have managed to move forward, overcome those emotional obstacles, and achieve their goals. Recognizing those emotions is the first step in transforming them into strength and moving forward with confidence.

A decision that is worked on little by little

A PhD does not begin on the day you receive your acceptance letter. Nor does it begin when you choose your thesis topic. It begins much earlier, when you feel that you want something more in your life, and that is when you decide that you are ready to invest in yourself.

Breaking free from the shackles and insecurities left behind by impostor syndrome is part of that initial stage, even if it's not talked about as much. Recognizing your worth, allowing yourself to ask questions, make mistakes, and learn without feeling inferior... that's also part of the process.

If today you are wondering whether it is worth it or whether you are capable, give yourself the opportunity to explore that desire calmly. No one is fully prepared to do something for the first time, but it becomes easier when you have information, support, and a clear purpose.

Institutions such as Atlantic International University offer 100% online and flexible postdoctoral programs designed for professionals like you. Remember that you don't have to do it all alone. There are resources, shared experiences, and paths that others have already traveled. And you can do it too, in your own way, at your own pace, and telling your own story.