Confidence

Whether you see it or not, your level of confidence will make or break your school year. Just imagine all of those opportunities you missed because you were too shy or scared to pursue. The good news is, you are all still young and have loads of time to work on your confidence!

Confidence is more than loose shoulders and strideful walks. It is your self-assurance in yourself. It is your ability to not compare yourself to other people. It is how well you handle rejections, obstacles, milestones, instead of falling into hurl of self-doubt. It will show throughout your school year, in the ways you interact with your classmate, how often you raise your hand, how well you manage stress, and the ways in which you practice self-care. 

In my freshman year, I cared a lot about how others perceived me. As icebreakers for the class at the beginning of my freshman year, we had to go around and introduce ourselves. Since I was chosen first, I didn’t have time to script out what I would say. So, I blurted out something awkward and I felt embarrassed afterward. I fretted about it for the rest of the class period. Upon dismissal, I vented to my friend who was also in the same class about how embarrassing my answer was. “Huh?” she said, “What did you say again?” That moment and many more made me realize how unconcerned others are about your actions. We are our biggest (and sometimes, only!) critics. Knowing this made me feel at ease. It made me consciously realize how critical I was of myself. 

Go ahead and raise your hand in that class you barely understand. The more you interact in the class, the more engaged and interested you will be in the lesson. Go on a run. No one will watch you, except maybe your future self, who will endlessly be thankful for your efforts. Running, which is linked to confidence and happiness, is almost an addictive mechanism: once you start to feel its benefits, you never want to stop! Buy that face mask. Sometimes, treating yourself in small ways after an exhaustive day can alleviate the frustration you felt that day. 

By: Nasida Meher