We’ve all been there: the awkward icebreaker or check-in at the start of class. The kind so uncomfortable that students actually look forward to the lesson beginning. The Imposter Game has replaced these unbearable icebreakers. Originating on TikTok, the game offers simple rules, no limit to the number of players, and quick rounds; all it needs is a device with the app and at least three people, making the game versatile and inclusive.
At Sacred Heart, the game was first introduced as an activity within friend groups. Kat Dykes ‘27 explained how Imposter has made its way into her group’s lunch table routine, “I downloaded the app on my computer, and now lunch is so fun,” she said, “We all look forward to it every day.”
After becoming obsessed with the game, Dykes and others began to spread the word. In her Social Ethics class, Dykes “introduced the game to our class as an alternative to our check-in question,” said Ms. Teresa Carino-Petersen, Campus Ministry. Both Dykes and Carino-Petersen agreed that the game was well-received in the class. Many of the students shared that “it was way more fun than just talking about yourself for 5 seconds,” Dykes said. Similarly, Carino-Petersen said that “it brought a lot of laughs and inside jokes.”
“With other check-ins, people don’t really listen and just talk to the person next to them,” said Dykes, “but with Imposter, everyone was listening to each other. In that sense, it definitely brought the class together.” Whether you are chosen as the imposter or are trying to decipher who the imposter is, you have to listen to each player.
The inclusion of Imposter in November’s Community Cohorts session proved its ability to bring together a diverse group of students. “At the beginning of the session, I was worried that it was going to be awkward,” Talia Samuels ‘26, ASB Vice President, said. “Thankfully, Imposter made it feel more natural and fun for everyone, even though they were all in different grades.”
The question is, will Imposter’s popularity continue to grow into 2026? Carino-Petersen answered, “I think so. Someone just needs to suggest it and set it up!” Dykes supports its continued usage as she believes it is a valuable character-builder: “I honestly think it’s a good way to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, and learning that failure is okay.” No matter one’s opinion or experience level with the game, Imposter brings entertainment and a few moments of fun into the many realms of student life.
