As Aru Ray said, knowing that this is actually a quite common feeling is helpful in overcoming it. Ways you can achieve that include **discussing it with others**, including accomplished researchers, and reading about it. Here are a few texts and resources on the topic, which I recommend heartily to both students and faculty: - A recent article in the [Chronicles of Higher Education](http://chronicle.com/article/An-Academic-With-Impostor/138231/), which sums it up nicely. And also, some reactions on the web: [1](http://www.hookandeye.ca/2013/04/academic-imposter-syndrome.html), [2]() - A personal experience [is related here](http://thebluereview.org/impostor-syndrome-in-academia/) - The [references over there](http://mentalfaculties.wordpress.com/2013/04/21/on-impostor-syndrome/) make for pretty good reading too…