Fake It 'Til You Make It: How To Act Confident

Let's be honest not all college students are confident. Being ripped from everything you've known to a new city/state/institution, learning new subjects, meeting new people and learning to live away from home, all feed into our insecurities and make life that bit more difficult. How are you going to meet people if you are terrified of them? My solution: fake it until you feel it. I swear it works. It did for me...

1) Stand Up

Have good posture, don't slouch in the corner and hide from people. Some say that you should pretend that you have a pole where your spine is, but that kind of freaks me out. Keep your head up, and shoulders back. If you look confident, people will think you are.

2) Eye Contact

Nothing is weirder than having a conversation with someone who can't look you in the eye. I'm not saying to constantly stare deep into their pupils every time a person tries to talk to you - super creepy. Find a happy medium and go with it.

3) Smile

Happiness breeds happiness. Confident people are happier people and that's the type of person that people like to be around. Both men and women prefer a confident partner. One way to present your happiness is by smiling. Even if you're not feeling it, smile. It makes you appear more approachable and friendly.

4) Make Jokes

Being witty and a little self-deprecating humour goes a long way. Although, don't be too hard on yourself, you're trying to appear like you are confident, not like you hate yourself. Try to build a tough skin (metaphorically speaking) to withstand harsh digs and learn to make light of situations. If you're able to laugh at yourself, like you falling over or making a fool of yourself, that shows people that you don't take things too seriously, that you're cool, calm and collected (if a bit clumsy).

5) Dress Comfortably

If you can't walk in high heels, don't wear high heels. You won't be worried about falling over or breaking a heel - or an ankle. You can still look sexy in flats. There's no point wearing a sexy tight bondage dress if you're terrified you'll cover it in sweat patches. If you feel comfortable, you'll act like you're comfortable.

6) Remember, Everyone Has Insecurities

No one looks in the mirror and thinks they look perfect. Perfection doesn't exist. Sometimes you think you look like shit, so you feel like shit. At least you don't have your insecurities poked at by the media like celebrities. And if anyone does try to insult your appearance just ignore them, clearly they aren't happy with how they look if they have to bring you down.

7) Master Small Talk

The bane of every shy person's existence is making small talk with strangers. It's super simple. Especially for students at the same college. Just keep asking questions: what course are you doing? Why did you choose that course? Where are you staying? How do you like the campus bar/accommodation? How are your professors? There are so many things that'll keep the conversation going and if you're asking the questions no one will question you, which is really what you're afraid of anyway.

8) Don't Lie

If you don't get a reference, don't play along because you'll look like an idiot. Be upfront and honest about your interests, you'll find someone who is interested in the same things. But if you're already not feeling too comfortable in a social situation, don't pack on the pressure by trying to pretend to be into soccer when you have no clue what being 'off-side' means - don't try to get someone who is into soccer to explain it to you, I tried that, theoretical physics is easier to understand.

9) Practice Makes Perfect

You won't instantly have brimming confidence at the next house party your classmates throw. It takes time. But if you keep trying, it will get easier and by the time you finish out the year you'll feel so sure of yourself you won't care so much about what everyone thinks. You're awesome, you don't need anyone's approval but your own. Don't try to be confident for other people, be confident for yourself and the people will follow.

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