We have fostered a toxic culture that prioritizes productivity over self care, leading to a common feeling for college students: imposter syndrome.

Famous figures across industries from comedy to advocacy to politics have reported feeling like frauds or “impostors” in their work and successes.

Students, staff and faculty alike filed into Boston University Medical Campus’ Bakst Auditorium to learn about impostor syndrome, and for those who feel affected by the syndrome, a potential cure. Valerie Young, who has explored the phenomenon and wrote a book about it, spoke to the audience at the talk organized by BU’s School of Public Health.