University life can be very overwhelming. You’re in such a big city where the campus remains unfamiliar long after you’ve arrived. This can knock your confidence massively, and you may just feel like a name or a statistic in the grand scheme of things. However, you are so much more than that and you have so much potential – you just need to find how to let it shine. 20th February marks National Leadership Day, and we want to provide you with some top tips on how to improve your confidence in your abilities and how you can use develop leadership qualities throughout your time at university. Making decisions We all have to make decisions on a daily basis; what am I going to have for dinner? What clothes do I wear? Should I buy this? Whether they’re small or big, we are constantly making. There are, however, some people who struggle to make decisions alone, even decisions that seem simple to so many. A great way to improve your confidence is to make decisions without seeking the approval or opinion of others. As time goes on, you’ll get used to naturally making plans for yourself, you’ll be sure of what you want to do and overall spend less time worrying. Additionally, you’ll get used to dealing with consequences if there are any. Most people are deterred from making decisions because they are worried about having to deal with any negative consequences. However, most daily decisions don’t involve negative decisions. When it comes to making bigger decisions, you won’t feel a hesitant or nervous; the ability to make decisions confidently is paramount for a good leader.
Working in a Team There will be many situations in your everyday life where you are required to work with other people, and therefore teamwork is essential to get used to! Even if you’re buying something in the shop or ordering a coffee, you are cooperating and communicating with another person. Great leaders often manage large teams of people and have to meet new people all the time. If working with others isn’t exactly one of your strong points, there are loads of ways you can build your confidence. Start buy ordering a coffee or speak to the sales assistant rather than using a self-checkout. Maybe try making your next doctor’s appointment over the phone and go and collect your food order rather than having it delivered. In university, take the module that offers the group project if it interests you and join a society, eventually joining it’s committee. Every interaction you have will improve you people skills and confidence in social situations, eventually allowing you to be a strong team player. Dealing with Criticism Now, no one likes to receive relentless criticism. However, just because we don’t like to hear it, doesn’t mean it can’t work in our favour. Accepting that you will receive criticism is a huge step in terms of maturity in itself. Accepting criticism means that you can take responsibility for your own actions, you are an individual who is willing to improve, but also that you respect and willingly listen to the opinions of others regardless of whether they are nice to hear. Criticism doesn’t necessarily mean you are doing something wrong, it just means that someone else has spotted that there is room for you to keep growing. Taking on board criticism can be really helpful to your development and gives you an idea of how others around you see you. Obviously, some people can be mean and go too far with what they call “criticism”. On the whole, there is normally a way that criticism can be made constructive and you can rise from it. I hope these tips help you become the leader you desire to be, and you develop the self confidence you so rightly deserve.