Confidence first step in being proactive with education
University can be a mean, mean place.
Some of us go from the top of our class in high school to failing our first ever midterm (myself included) and suddenly we’re second-guessing our whole decision to attend this so-called academic institution. We start doubting ourselves and genuinely start to believe we may not be cut out for post-secondary education after all.
The key, however, is confidence. University is supposed to be difficult, and it’s supposed to test you in ways you never thought possible (I did mention it was a mean place). Through all of that, you just have to (get ready for the cliché) believe in yourself. Take a look at six ways to ensure you’re helping yourself in university, rather than adding to the load.
1) You’re only as good as you think.
The most important opinion about yourself is your own. Rather than listening to others about what you can and can’t do – whether they’re family, friends, or even professors – decide for yourself and test your limitations. Don’t forget to remind yourself of all the hard work it took to get to this point in your academic career. If you tell yourself you’re good enough, you will be.
2) Realize you’re the majority.
Fun fact: you’re not the only one who feels inadequate in post-secondary education. In fact, one-third of university students feel that way after their first semester – as a fourth year student, I can promise you the feeling makes some reappearances down the road. With this, it’s important to remember that you’re not the only one who feels this way. Remember that struggles shouldn’t emphasize your doubts about your academic choices, but rather your ability to overcome difficulty.
3) Boost your own ego.
If you’re not good at science, chances are loading up on a semester of five science courses isn’t going to make you feel the best about yourself. Acknowledging your weaknesses is necessary – however, recognizing and playing up your strengths is also important. Take a class you know you’ll enjoy and do well in, or take up a sport with the university’s intramural program that will give you a weekly boost when you’re feeling down and out. While you’re at it, start rewarding yourself for achievements – try hitting up Menchie’s when you do well on a paper.
4) Don’t put yourself at a disadvantage.
Choosing the comforts of our bed over an early morning class is something we’ve all been guilty of at one point or another. It’s important, though, to not make this choice a habit. It’s hard to do well in classes when you’re missing several at a time. This will evidently result in some unnecessary struggle and it could hurt your confidence level academically.
5) Try studying with friends.
Studying in a group can be beneficial for many reasons. First, if you don’t understand something, you have others to make you realize you’re not the only one and to help you grasp the concept before the big midterm. Second, you often don’t realize you know something until you’re put into a situation to help someone else. If you get the opportunity to help a peer understand one of the lessons, it will most definitely make you feel more confident in your abilities.
6) Comments should be taken constructively.
Everyone dreads the paper bleeding red ink, but, often times, that paper is the best thing for us. A majority of students look at those comments in red and immediately think negative criticism, so they ignore criticism entirely. Viewing those comments with a constructive and positive spin – that your professor is trying to help you improve – will help you significantly down the line. Taking things with a more positive attitude overall will also help prove to be a confidence booster, rather than something to tear you down.