What is Impostor Syndrome?

In this article, I will delve into the popular buzzword ‘Impostor Syndrome’, explaining what it is and where it comes from, offering different interpretations and insights whilst giving tangible steps to overcome it, particularly for GCSE and A-Level students. 

What Does ‘Impostor Syndrome’ Really Mean?

The name itself comes from the generalised feeling of an impostor, which is someone who deceives others about their identity - or in this case their skills and capabilities.

Some simply define impostor syndrome as feeling inadequate or underqualified, some see it as a state of discomfort as they are fooling those around them into being better than they ‘really’ are, potentially just a moment away from being ‘found out’. 

I, alongside many others, see Impostor Syndrome as a reflection of insecurity and doubt where we question our belief in our ability to overcome a (usually new or difficult) set of tasks. Therefore, the feeling is not commonly a result of any real evidence.

The Psychology Behind Impostor Syndrome

Firstly, I found something interesting about Impostor Syndrome in terms of psychology, the two of which seem inextricably intertwined - they cannot be separated. Many believe external factors, such as people's comments, can (even accidentally) cause harm to our way of thinking and therefore affect our emotions and thought patterns, leading to self-doubt. This is often true outside of education, when we see star athletes lose confidence when their coaches or the media tell them they can’t do something.

Many critics, including myself, believe that humans respond more to external factors or stimuli than internal feelings in many cases because we seek external validation. Certainly, there are many cases where I’ve found students to be lacking self-confidence and self-belief even before we’ve got into any level of writing when there’s been no reason to. 

In this way, I do believe Impostor Syndrome has to be, at least partially, an internalised self-doubt that manifests within our belief systems. In other words, if we fully believe in ourselves, we wouldn’t care what others think.

For example, if someone tells me I cannot brush my teeth today, I would laugh as would many others because it’s a task I’ve completed thousands of times. So the key is to not only speak positively but also act positively with your student and enable them to complete several repetitions with the tasks they say they’re weakest at, so they then become a pro.

After all, belief is an acceptance that we can succeed at completing a task, so all I ask my online tutoring students to do is to accept they can get a certain grade; you’d be surprised what a difference this makes. 

How to Reframe Negative Thinking in Students

Secondly, how do we refrain from, or reconstruct, negative and inadequate thoughts? I would suggest that positive words of affirmation, as a tutor, when communicating with a student, are vital, as is the student’s attitude, something influenced by the tutor. 

Spotting the Signs of Impostor Syndrome in Lessons

Online tutors should be on the lookout for self-defeating phrases like:

• “I can’t do this.”
• “This is too difficult for me.”

The solution? Reframe their language:

“I can do this—it’s just more difficult for me right now.”

This indicates the student will only temporarily find the task too challenging, rather than the task being permanently out of their reach. This shifts the student’s mindset from fixed to growth, and that makes all the difference.

How a Tutor Can Help with Impostor Syndrome

Thirdly, I need to outline the importance of working with a tutor from a student’s point of view. I truly believe all people possess talent to some degree in some aspect, and many students I’ve taught have the talent in writing or reading, or speaking, and all they need is just a nudge in the right direction. 

That motivational voice telling them to ‘keep on going’ because they’ve ‘got this’ is crucial for student development through their exam preparation and later in life, and we as tutors must adhere to this like of thinking as we have a duty of care. Of course, we as tutors have also been in that arduous situation that pressures a student, where we’re desperate to achieve the best results possible for future life prospects; therefore, we must be understanding and patient during lessons.

How Parents Can Support Students With Impostor Syndrome

Lastly, let’s explore what parents can do to improve a student’s relationship with Impostor Syndrome. They are just as important in the fight against impostor Syndrome.

Parents should acknowledge their children’s feelings and give positive reinforcement, as well as praise efforts, not just outcomes. 

Furthermore, setting realistic expectations can help reduce Impostor Syndrome and encouraging open communication (including with a dedicated online tutor) is key for students to normalise their feelings and feel ready to achieve. 

Practical Steps for Parents

• Acknowledge feelings: Let students know their emotions are valid.
• Praise effort, not just results: This builds resilience and intrinsic motivation.
• Set realistic expectations: This removes unnecessary pressure.
• Keep communication open: Talk regularly and encourage honesty about challenges.



Creating a support network around the student—whether through family, friends, or an online tutor—can foster the confidence they need to thrive.

Having a positive support group set up with other friends and family can be important, especially if it surrounds a subject that a particular family member is more knowledgeable about and reframing negative thoughts is a must to move forward with a student's learning journey. 

Can Impostor Syndrome Ever Be a Good Thing?

Other recent interpretations of Impostor Syndrome include Steven Bartlett on the popular podcast ‘Diary of a CEO’, where he interviews successful entrepreneurs who have often experienced that feeling of inadequacy or lack of self-belief at times in their lives. 

I must then pose the question, ‘is a tiny bit of impostor syndrome a terrible thing?’ because I believe constant self-reflection and the feeling that we can always improve pushes us to become better versions of ourselves. 

This is often seen in the classroom where a student will start by writing me a grade piece of work, but shortly after we’ll upgrade it to a grade 6 and then a grade 7 by paying attention to small, intricate details. I tell my students that in the exam, even if it takes a couple of extra seconds, choosing and inputting the perfect word into a sentence really makes a difference because that pause for thought often leads to a much more coherent essay overall, so be confident but keep focused. 

Final Thoughts

Overall, Impostor Syndrome derives from a variety of factors, including both external and internal stimuli, but can be reduced to a point where it becomes negligible on performance and can even benefit students by giving them the little push they need to self-reflect and become better. Certainly, tutors play a vital role in nurturing a student both academically and professionally to allow students to become both more knowledgeable and confident in the classroom and outside too. 

Parents can aid this process by following in a tutor's footsteps and setting realistic expectations for their children, and also giving positive praise for effort, not just results. Let’s all do more to make Impostor Syndrome negligible on our students’ performance and therefore foster an environment of empowerment that provides the best chance of all our students realising their version of success!