Academic Pressure & Self-Doubt Hat 4

Fear of Not Being "Good Enough" Compared to Native Peers
International students often compare their academic performance, cultural competence, or language skills with those of their peers who were born in the host country. This comparison could make students anxious and affect how involved they are in class.|

Ways to manage:
Focus on making progress instead of being perfect. Instead of comparing your progress to just one day, look at how far you've come over the course of several weeks or months.
Recognize the value of different points of view; your experience abroad can give you insights that others can't.
Join study groups to see how other people learn and to share what you're good at.

Meeting Professors' Expectations
Professors expect students to think for themselves, question ideas, or speak up during assignments in some academic settings. This can be scary for people who are used to learning in a more structured, lecture-based way.
Ways to manage:
Please read the syllabus carefully to find out how grades will be given and what you need to do to participate.
At the start of the semester, you should go to office hours to get to know your teacher and make sure you understand what is expected of you.
Look at past assignments or sample papers to get a sense of the style and depth you need.

Imposter Syndrome: "Did I Really Deserve to Be Here?"
In competitive programs, even students who do well may feel like they don't belong. This lack of confidence can make people less likely to participate and less confident.
Ways to handle:
Keep a "wins" list to remind yourself of your skills and abilities. Write down milestones, positive feedback, and achievements.
Accept that facing challenges is an important part of growing as a person; many people, including locals, face similar problems without making it obvious.
Ask older students, alumni, or professors for help. They can help you feel better by letting you know that your problems are normal and will pass.

Useful tips for daily life
Break up big tasks into smaller, easier-to-handle steps to help you feel less overwhelmed.
Use academic support services like writing centers, tutoring labs, or peer review groups.
One way to practice self-compassion is to let yourself make mistakes without being too hard on yourself.