Whether it’s about law school or other areas in our lives, most of us have asked ourselves at one point or another: “Can I really do this?” Or maybe you’ve asked: “Am I really supposed to be here? Can I do it as well as other people can?”
These thoughts are hallmarks of impostor syndrome—feeling like you somehow snuck into law school and that, sooner or later, someone will catch you, and the jig will be up. Although logically, you know that your school acceptance was based on your personal statement, transcript, and score, there can be that insidious voice inside you that sometimes whispers to you that the admissions team made a mistake and that surely you’re not as qualified or capable as your fellow students.
Here's how to internalize the fact that that voice is gaslighting you.
Impostor syndrome affects mostly minority students in various senses of the word: racial and ethnic minorities, gender minorities, or first-generation college or law school students. Historically, law schools were “boys’ clubs,” and being a woman in law school, even today can sometimes feel isolating. Societal expectations for women, the natural comparisons we all make, and the uniquely demanding environment of law school all combine to create the perfect storm of intense feelings of impostor syndrome amongst qualified, educated, and perfectly capable women.
Recognizing that impostor syndrome doesn’t uniquely affect 1L students is important. Sure, a new school building and new demands are overwhelming on a good day and can be a catalyst for feelings of doubt among 1L students. But those feelings don’t just disappear once you know how to brief a case and where the bathrooms are.
So, if you’re a woman in law school battling impostor syndrome for the past 1L year, how do you deal with it?
You’ve surely heard the standard self-care strategies. While they’re incredibly valuable to keeping a healthy body and mind, what do you do when you’ve exhausted all the usual recommendations like exercise and eating right?
Here are four strategies I’ve picked up in law school that have helped me combat feelings of impostor syndrome and the nerves, doubt, and negative self-view that creeps in with those feelings:
I’ve found that volunteering at my local senior center helps take me out of an impostor syndrome mindset and instead forces me to focus on my community. It forces me to do things I know I can do well and reminds me that there’s more to life than casebooks and restatements.
Try getting involved in a community-based program that revolves around your personal interests—a local animal shelter, library, or kids’ center can help remind you of your non-school-related skills and talents.
Getting involved with a women’s group, pairing up with a female faculty mentor, or expanding your friendship circles can help combat feelings contributing to impostor syndrome. By breaking down barriers between ourselves as women, we can help mitigate the temptation to compare ourselves to each other and learn from women who’ve been where we are.
I’ve found that discussing my fears and things about school that confuse me with other women helps me realize that, in reality, most of us are brand new to the law school type of learning. Usually, we’ll find that other people aren’t actually miles ahead of us.
Being unafraid to share how you’re feeling with other women and willing to talk openly about impostor syndrome encourages others to do the same. It also furthers conversations in a safe, supportive, and understanding environment.
Many impostor syndrome feelings may crop up when you sit at your desk to tackle an outline or stare down the barrel of a 40-page paper. Are you smart enough to create and write something worthwhile?
A tip I’ve used to temper those negative thoughts is to break down each task into small goals and small steps. Do you need to outline for trusts and estates? Break down that monster assignment into smaller goals.
First, create an outline skeleton based on your syllabus. Check!
Next, make a list of all the codes and restatements you need to include. Check!
And so on. Voila! A big task—outlining for trusts and estates—turns into 8 to 10 smaller, more manageable goals.
Impostor syndrome may be paralyzing you from starting. If you trick your brain into thinking that all you need to do to complete a task is make an outline skeleton or a list, it becomes more manageable.
Impostor syndrome is rooted in the thought that you can’t do something. What if you had a list in front of you that showed you all the times you could?
I’ve found that creating a list, a note on my phone, or a computer folder full of accomplishments I’ve had in my life (school-related or not) can help remind me that, yes, I can.
Examples of things to include on your accomplishment list include awards you’ve won, certificates you’ve earned, scholarships you’ve been awarded, grades you’re proud of, positive feedback from professors or employers, or even just nice words from friends.
The same thing works for other feelings of inadequacy: I struggle with feeling nervous before big events or public speaking out of fear of being unable to do it. So, I keep a list of all the times I’ve been nervous about something I’ve then been able to accomplish. Whenever I feel nervous the next time, looking back on the list helps to remind me that I’ve done it before so that I can do it again.
Read the last line of that last paragraph. It’s a reminder that you’ve worked hard and made sacrifices to get where you are.
Remember that if you’re a 2L or 3L student, you’ve gone through the wringer that is 1L year; what’s another year or two? You may have encountered significant personal barriers but have managed to overcome them and get your law school education.
Never forget that you’re smart, strong, and deserve to be here.
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