Life goes by so fast that it’s easy to forget to think about yourself. You spend all week studying for an exam, all weekend writing an essay, and the following week you have yet another exam. As students, we dedicate so much of our time to school, that when our grades don’t turn out the way we want them to, wea often feel discouraged and worthless. We have all found ourselves in a time when we don’t want to get out bed because there’s simply no motivation to drive us.
Love what you’re good at or become good at what you love
Finding hobbies and passions where you excel while enjoying yourself can boost your confidence by a lot. However, if there’s something you enjoy but aren’t too good at, take the time to improve. Personally, I love yoga. I’m not the best at it, but for the past month, I have been going to a heated vinyasa class every day. By my tenth day, I noticed a major improvement in my practice and it felt really good to know that my hard work was paying off. If you don’t know what your passions are or want to find a new hobby, try things out. Go to a new club, get a library card and check out some books, get a coloring book and some markers or get a membership at a local yoga studio. When you find something you like, throw yourself into it and enjoy yourself.
Write things down
Keeping track of your life is super important. I’m a huge fan of making to-do lists. Crossing off a task after I complete it makes me feel like the most productive person in the world, even if I just put away my clean laundry. I’m a huge fan of handwriting and I love my planner from Day Designer. If you would rather use your phone, OneNote is awesome because it syncs to all of your devices and it’s super easy to use for checklists. Staying organized will allow you to be more productive and completing your to-do list will make you feel amazing.
Be okay with not knowing what you want to do
In college, the first thing people ask you when you meet them is, “What’s your major?” This can be really upsetting if you have no idea what you want to do. You might feel like everyone around you knows exactly what they want to do, but most likely those plans will change. There is nothing wrong with feeling confused. As long as you’re doing well in your classes and enjoying what you’re taking, you’re fine right where you are. However, if you’re struggling and have no motivation, meet with your advisor and discuss out how you can change things up for next semester. Your advisor is there to help you, so don’t feel embarrassed to ask for help.
Get rid of the people who make you feel bad about yourself
It can be really difficult to stand up for yourself when it comes to friendships. Don’t let people walk all over you or try to change who you are. I used to be really bad at this. I never stood up for myself and I let people push me around. Now, I only make time for the people who make time for me. It can seem like you’re being harsh at first, but you should never feel guilty about doing something that will make you happier. Trying to be someone who you’re not to please someone else is very detrimental to your self-respect and confidence levels. I know it’s hard, but really make an effort to surround yourself with only the people who make you feel proud to be who you are.
I hope some of these tips will help you to realize your self-worth and improve your self-confidence. You’re amazing and able to accomplish anything you set your mind to, no matter how long it may take you. Remember to never let anyone make you feel less than the queen that you are.