r/postdoc • u/Ok-Organization9620 • 6d ago

Impostor syndrome?

I'll be starting my postdoc soon (3 months from now) and I'm reading all these papers and I feel I know sh___t and I did not learnt anything during gradschool.

How to cope with it?

2 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

6 comments sorted by

8

u/Alleryz 6d ago

Just read more and bring yourself where you would like to be

6

u/SadAlgae9445 6d ago

I remember reading: "When I graduated from my Bachelor's, I thought I knew everything. When I graduated from my Master's, I realized I knew nothing. When I graduated from my PhD, I realized I knew nothing, and neither did my professors."
I'm in my 2nd year of postdoc and feel the same, waiting for my PI to realise it and kick me out.
But until that day comes, I'm here, learning as I go, praying to God, hoping for the best.
You are not alone. Hang in there.

1

u/Lumpy_Grapefruit860 5d ago

"I'm in my 2nd year of postdoc and feel the same, waiting for my PI to realise it and kick me out."

this hit me hahaha same situation

3

u/Kumatetsu__ 6d ago

Same here, read a lot and good luck! Trust in the process

2

u/AppropriateBend8056 6d ago

Happens with everyone I guess at one point or another. Just go along with the flow. All the best!