Comments on: On Feelings of Academic Inadequacy

By: suzy pepper

suzy pepper — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 02:53:59 +0000

I’m a first year grad student. I actually had difficulty getting through this post because I related to it so much and I pretty much almost cried. I feel stupid all the time. I know that’s not exactly what you were saying, but nonetheless, I’m glad I’m not alone.

By: Liza

Liza — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:21:49 +0000

I appreciated this post, more than you could ever know.

By: mandy

mandy — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 03:33:11 +0000

I’ve sort of felt the same way. I was always a good student and told that I was “really, really smart” but I never felt very smart. I worried in college that people would think I was faking. I still don’t feel very smart. Then sometimes I fill out a job application or answer a complicated question for someone at work and think “wow, I really did just do that.” I don’t know why I doubt it. Its something that I’ve struggled with too. You’re absolutely right, it is about accepting ourselves the way we are. Your posts always make me think, Ashely. Great post!

By: Rachel

Rachel — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 02:34:53 +0000

I felt like this in grad school. I got there, and I had to work so hard to get through some readings (it was a much, much better school than my undergrad) and then I was never QUITE sure I understood it, so I would be afraid to raise my hand in class. And then other people (usually guys) would raise their hand and say what I had been thinking, and then I regretted not speaking up, but I would completely psych myself out from participating all the time.

I don’t know when it happened, but one day, it was like I was so into what I wanted to say that I didn’t even stop to think about what other people were going to think of it. I’m sure that will happen to you.

By: Sophia

Sophia — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:49:39 +0000

Thank you for writing this out so eloquently and honestly. I hope you continue to make progress.

By: Herding Cats

Herding Cats — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:41:26 +0000

I feel that way as a teacher sometimes. I’ll have moments where I think, “Ugh I suck. I so don’t know what the hell I’m teaching today.” And then I realize, I’m not a fake, everyone struggles, and I’m fine. I know what you mean though because I think everyone struggles and it’s super common.

By: Erin

Erin — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:40:23 +0000

A lot of people feel the same way you do. Almost every person that I’ve ever considered very smart has claimed not to be that smart and/or claimed to have to work at it much harder than other people. I think most people have trouble owning up to being smart because it’s so subjective.

By: Meri

Meri — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:53:08 +0000

I still have all these feelings at 28. It sounds like you are ahead of me in getting over it, but I’m working on it. Slowly.
I’m in the beginning stages of my Master’s (in Communication Disorders) and often question my intelligence and ability to be a good clinician. Some of your words echo exactly how I’ve been feeling. I’ve often felt like it’s a “fluke” that I’m here and that someday people will find me out. Also If I receive anything less than a stellar grade, I feel like I’m a fraud and shouldn’t be here.
But again, I’m working on it. Because I know the two years it takes to finish this will be horrible if I keep up with this.

By: Paula

Paula — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:14:49 +0000

I feel like my brain cells are dwindling by the day due to the boring repetitive nature of my admin job, but sometimes I just have this moment of clarity and remember that I AM actually pretty smart. And that always makes me feel better.

By: Jordan

Jordan — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:04:59 +0000

You’re obviously intelligent. I know what you mean though, about feeling like a fraud. It used to happen to me a lot, but then I realised that pretty much everyone else feels the same way. Since then it hasn’t really bothered me.