How to build your self-confidence during college life

College can be scary. It’s not just about leaving your parents and your childhood home behind, hiring packers and movers in Delhi, and moving to a new city. It’s about having to meet new people and negotiate entry into real adulthood – managing finances, booking an apt paying guest or hostel facility that covers all your lifestyle needs, learning how to live on your own for the first time. And while all of that can be really liberating for some people, it also comes with its own fears and challenges.

Because even if you created a position for yourself in school – the class president, or the district topper, or the star athlete, in college, you’re starting out as just another face in the crowd. And that can be a huge blow to your self-confidence. But feeling bad about yourself or worrying about your future can actually have further negative repercussions on your college experience. That’s why it’s important to build up your self-confidence during college. So, if you’ve been struggling with any of these problems, these five methods will help you change the way you think. Let’s check them out:

Define your own standards for success

College is a tumultuous time, and you are probably going to make some mistakes. But instead of allowing failure to get you down or make you feel negative about yourself; you need to redefine your own standards of success. Think of your first year as the time for inevitable growing pains. You’ll be learning and unlearning a lot about yourself and life. So, instead of judging yourself harshly for errors, stay open to learning from your mistakes and consider them to be stepping-stones for future success.

Re-evaluate your thought patterns

When you’re in college, you’re going to be surrounded by other people, some of whom will seem to have it all figured out (they don’t). If you find yourself falling into a spiral of comparisons and self-deprecation, you need to shift the direction of your thoughts. A popular trick that psychologists recommend is the stop-pause-shift technique. When you identify a negative thought about yourself, stop for a moment, pause and take three deep breaths, and then consciously shift to a different thought. This practice will help you train yourself to have a more positive inner dialogue and build your confidence.

Make supportive friends

Friends can be a huge factor in making or breaking your college experience. If you’ve got a supportive group that builds you up and encourages you to succeed, you’ll spend your time in college feeling bolstered and confident. But if your gang is more focused on toxic behaviors or running you down, your self-confidence is definitely going to feel the brunt of it. So, try to make friends with people who share your values and interests and are not in the habit of judging or commenting on others. Remember, if they’re gossiping about others to you, they could easily be gossiping about you to someone else.

Try something new

Change makes a lot of us uncomfortable, and when you start college, your life suddenly becomes a whirlwind of change. But trying something that usually scares you can actually be a huge boost to your self-esteem. It’s best if the task is low stakes so that you’re not overwhelmed by the need to succeed. Trying something new that you wouldn’t otherwise be interested in, whether it’s an art class, or a silent disco, can end up being a really fun experience and even help you discover a talent you never knew you had.

Spread the love

Nothing boosts your confidence like helping someone else. The positive vibes that are generated from doing something kind for others can really build your self-confidence and leave you feeling fulfilled. Your hostel is likely to have a community of students from all walks of life. Use this opportunity to connect with them and find out how you can help them. Whether it’s tutoring a friend, helping out your roommate in your hostel in Delhi University, or feeding one of the campus dogs, you’re going to feel a lot better and reinforce some positive qualities about yourself.

These five simple methods will help you improve your mental health and build self-confidence in college. We hope that you’re able to see the best in yourself, make great friends and stay strong on your college journey. So, keep your head high. You’re going to be just fine.

 

Originally posted 2021-05-19 14:12:28.