"SHOT" OF CONFIDENCE

Entering into a new college, with all unknown faces, gearing up your confidence, telling yourself for the thousandth time on your way that ‘you got this’, ‘you can do this.'

Have you ever experienced those chills, felt numb when on the first-day teacher asked you to introduce yourself in front of the class? Realising at that particular moment that this will be your first impression in front of your whole new class, ever forgot your name while speaking, ever felt blank, and had nothing to speak? Well, you just have to relax and take it easy. 1/3rd of college students experience a lack of confidence, you are not alone. Everyone, at one point or another, has doubts about their ability to do work which leads to a lack of confidence.

It is normal to feel a lack of self-confidence at college, self-doubt, anxiety is common, all you need to do is accept it and don’t run away or feel inferior because of it. Here are a few points that can help you build your self-esteem:

• Take one step at a time, try taking small risks, overcome small fears, try taking part in college discussion, or try answering questions in class or talking with few people in your class. Once this step is done you will realise the anxiety wall that you have built around you is getting weak.

• Practice, stand in front of the mirror, analyse your body gestures, try and keep trying until the nervousness disappears, giving presentations or speaking in front of the class can be a very difficult task for you, all you got to do is practice before presenting, through this your pressure will decrease and you will be able to perform in a better way. Practice can help you to build your confidence before the actual event.

• The process to build up the confidence can be long, you need a lot of patience for it. Think about the things you are good at, take up those tasks first, this will help you boost your confidence.

• Never underestimate yourself, never look down, keep your eyes open to the world, smile, dress up confidently, all this can be your powerful weapon in the process of overcoming the lack of confidence.

• Be ready for all types of criticism and use it in a positive way to improve yourself, every flaw that people point out, or notice can be your chance to work on it which will lead you to the way of perfectionism.

• Try to block all kinds of negative thoughts, reframe your point of view, try to be less anxious. If you are unable to carry out this alone then you can anytime take a help of a counsellor or therapist, asking for help is not at all wrong, so just stay strong and with determined mental focus try to cut all your pessimistic thoughts.

• One of the most important ways is to become more accepting of ourselves. Look at your strengths and achievements and put a plan in place to discuss your weaknesses. Stop being critical of ourselves.

Settling in the new environment and to successfully beat all the challenges that life throws at us can be tough, all you got to do is always believe in yourself, keep smiling and accept all the challenges with a strong mind, no matter what others think about you, one should never stop trying, stay optimistic and one day you will feel a rush of confidence in yourself, just wait till that day, till then just keep whispering to yourself that “you can and you will.”