Ever feel like the only person in class who just doesn’t get it?
It can be easy to put pressure on yourself at school. Maybe you feel like you just don't 'click' with a certain subject. Perhaps it seems like everyone else is doing brilliantly and leaving you behind.
Although it's never nice to experience those feelings of insecurity, it's certainly not uncommon. In this article, we've got advice from Pete Langley, a former teacher with more than 30 years experience of helping students through school and college, who explains what you can do to build your confidence.
You'll also find comments from other students who've posted on The Student Room, as they share the tips that have helped them.
1. Don't be surprised when it's challenging to take on something new
Feeling worried about your academic ability is something that can affect people at any time. The start of a new school year is a particularly common catalyst for these kind of concerns, says Pete.
"It's unsettling for everyone to move to a new school or college, have new teachers, start new subjects or move up a level," he says.
And although you might look around the classroom and feel like everyone else has got it all worked out, that's not likely to be the case.
"Different students react to new situations in different ways," says Pete. "Some appear over-confident, answering every question, laughing and joking and appearing to own the classroom.
"These types of students can be pretty intimidating but don’t think they’re better than you. Those who shout the loudest don’t always get the best grades."
Not having the confidence to speak up about the things you don’t understand is an anxiety for lots of people, but remember you’re not going to be the only one feeling confused by a new topic.
"Others will be feeling the same and they’re also sat in class wondering whether they should speak up," says Pete.
If your self-confidence has taken a knock, go ahead and ask your teacher for help where you need it. It can take a load off your shoulders when you realise you don't have to do it all on your own.
2. Make the most of the time on your course
If you're used to achieving grades at a certain level, it can be worrying when those grades slip. Maybe you're now working at a higher level, the work seems hard and you're not too happy with your early grades.
Try not to be too hard on yourself, says Pete, especially when what you're working on is new. "If you’re not getting the grades you want right now, you’ve still got a lot of time to make that right."
3. Stop comparing yourself to others
This one might be the most tricky, because it's always tempting to look at the marks your friends have got. But comparing your own performance to that of others won't do anything to help you improve.
"Whatever it is you’re doing, you'll find some people will be better than you and others won't be as good," says Pete. "That’s life.
"It’s a common reaction when teachers return work to immediately find out how everyone else got on but this isn’t helpful. There’s only one person to compare yourself to and that is you."
4. Focus on your own improvement
Instead of looking at other people's marks, get yourself laser-focused on your own work and what your teacher has to say about it.
"Look carefully at feedback from your teacher and act on it, try to keep improving," says Pete. "Repeat work that doesn’t meet your personal targets.
"Set yourself some realistic aims for the end of term and make sure you put the work in to achieve them."
If you get a grade back that you're not happy with, take the time to analyse why that is.
"Be honest with yourself," says Pete. "Did you put in the effort for that last piece of homework? Have you asked your teacher about the best ways to prepare for a test? Did you do all the reading you needed to do before writing an essay?
"Be prepared to change your study habits and put more time in."
5. There's lots of support available
Finally, rememeber you don’t have to do this all on your own.
"Make sure you ask for advice from your teachers," says Pete. "That’s what they’re there for, after all.
"Or if you have friends studying the same topics, why not help each other?"
The Student Room community is amazingly helpful too. Start a Grow your Grades blog and get help from the most supportive student community in the universe.
You might also like to connect with other students on The Student Room? Here are the threads for all the current 2024 year group chats:
| More like this on The Student Room |
|---|
