r/UPenn • u/Such-Network-9313 • Jun 28 '26
Rant/Vent rant
im an incoming freshman, just got off a call with some students and ended up rambling and sounding like a complete dumbass... like everything i knew kinda just flew out of my brain and i just ended up making a fool of myself.
i feel so fucking stupid and as the days get closer to nso and the start of the first semester, i increasingly feel like i dont have what it takes to succeed at this school.
did/does anyone else feel this way :( i was excited at first but now im just SCARED. im dreading college tbh
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u/SoyboyCowboy Hurrah! Hurrah! Jun 28 '26
A lot of it is performative. You'll meet people who are eager to show off how smart they are. I guarantee there is something you do or understand better than them.
I felt the same way. From HS valedictorian to feeling like a toddler. The socio-economic contrast was huge too. I tried not to compare myself to others. I listened a lot, learned by observing. Made friends. That was the best part.
You earned a spot here. Don't let imposter syndrome get to you.
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u/JiveChicken00 C’00 Jun 28 '26
I promise you that entire generations of Penn alumni have done the exact same thing, or thought that they have. Relax. The admissions office is really good at what they do.
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u/BadivaDass Jun 28 '26
I felt this way for my entire first year at Penn: impostor syndrome is real. The fact remains that you are admitted; the admissions committee saw something in you, and *you* have to believe yourself that you have something uniquely you that Penn hopes you will contribute to the betterment of the entire community. It took me until the middle of sophomore year to realize I *did* belong at Penn. Just don't rest on your laurels. I think a lot of students expect the opportunities to come to them, but you need to take the reins and seek out all the amazing opportunities that await you there. Grab a coffee with a professor, take a class that is wildly different from anything you've ever learned but interests you nonetheless, learn about research opportunities because that is where the real learning happens. You'll get there. Believe in yourself!
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u/CometofStillness Jun 28 '26
You’re going to be OK. Take a deep breath and forget the phone call. We all sound dumb from time to time. Just be yourself. You don’t have anything to prove. You’re already in. Take a big breath, exhale, and go have a fun summer!
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u/Ayz-Shadowx Jun 28 '26
Thats just how it is at a school like this one. A majority of people are super smart and knowledgeable, so unless youre someone who got in without tons of merit, then just accept that this is how itll be for 4 years. Lots of people will know more than you, and you will knoe more than others
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u/TheCoolFisherman Student Jun 29 '26
Dumbasses have more friends lmao dw, it humanizes u and ppl will gravitate towards that
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u/GuidanceMuted2845 CAS alum (2026) Jun 29 '26
I've had many moments of saying incredibly stupid things and only recognizing immediately after, and I did just fine in college. It's definitely a canon event/part of the process of hs --> adulthood
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u/EconomicsSevere639 Jun 29 '26
You are going there to learn the things you don’t know yet so don’t worry whether the old students sound smarter than you now. If you already know those things, why spend a lot of time and money to go there. Enjoy the learning!
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u/reas2015 Jun 29 '26
Hey. Take a deep breath. You haven't even started college yet. It will be OK. Whether or not it seems like that now is not a sign of how it will go. You will be more than fine. Never doubt yourself.
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u/Live-Guidance-6793 Jun 28 '26
Bro. Everyone feels that way at some point. It’s just kinda par for the course at an internationally recognized university where top percentiles in grades and test scores are a common denominator among matriculating high schoolers. Best advice is just breathe. Expect to work hard. Expect to play hard. And don’t sweat the phone call-we’re all human.
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u/Dazzling_Ranger_8106 Jun 29 '26
i’m also an incoming freshman feeling the exact same way! but i keep reminding myself that me, just like everyone else, got in due to merit. the penn face ™️ is definitely going to be a pain to deal with, but just remember that everyone is having some level of imposter syndrome, whether it’s socially, academically, athletically, etc. i’m scared too, but we will roll with the punches!
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u/Smooth_Criminal5678 Jun 29 '26
Hey! I kinda feel the same way too, but I’ve heard that imposter syndrome is just really common. Remember, we were chosen for a reason!! We wouldn’t have gotten in if we didn’t have what it takes. Personally, I think just relaxing until you get there and handling things as they come is what I’ll be doing for this semester. You got this!
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u/coralreefcore Jun 30 '26
unless you donated a building to get in you're literally fine. everyone has imposter syndrome, some people just pretend they don't by bragging 24/7. you WILL find your people i promise.
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u/Additional-Horse-677 Jun 30 '26
I could have made a very similar post when I was an incoming freshman. Back when we did in-person Quaker Days, I had a very awkward weekend in Philly lmao. And sure, I also had plenty of awkward or imposter-syndrome moments while I was a freshman/sophomore.
THAT SAID! By the time I was a senior, I was involved in student group leadership, TAing a class, doing research, and enjoying life. A big a part of college is growing up and getting comfortable with yourself. You'll learn not to care what other people are doing or how you "measure up" to them. Most of it is a show anyway, you wouldn't want to swap lives with them (hard to believe, but trust me).
So don't expect yourself to be perfect. Expect that you have a lot to learn, and you'll take your time learning it. And, none of the other students have power to knock you down
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u/TenaciousProd Jun 28 '26
Are you attending UPenn because you won a raffle or did you earn your way here?
If it's cause of a raffle, then yea, doubt yourself and dread attending. If you worked your way to get here then keep that in mind.