Self-confidence is something with which we all struggle as we grow up. It defines how we act around others, what we wear and how we carry ourselves.
Some research has shown that girls lose self-confidence as they continue through college. According to a Boston College study, female college seniors left feeling less self-confident then they did when they arrived as freshmen. Why does this happen?
It has to do with expectations. ASU itself has a pretty attractive group of females. It may feel like a constant competition. As much as most girls say they don’t care about how they look, we still put in effort to look good to potential partners.
The thing is, sometimes self-confidence has a lot to do with attention. So if one does not receive the attention they believe they deserve, their self-confidence may goes down. Another study shows that the lack of self-confidence comes from the lack of long-term relationship possibilities and cheating.
While most of us know the type of things that go on ASU, many of us don’t realize the consequences.
Apparently females leave with worse "self-understanding," despite having higher academic achievement, on average, than men. This is something to worry about. We are starting to not understand our self-worth and it’s taking a toll on our lives.
Women put too much pressure on ourselves. We always feel pressured to do better, dress better, look better than those around us. Since this is a male-dominated world, women often have to work much harder to make a name for themselves.
It's also concerning to consider "hook-up culture." Does that play into a decrease in self-esteem?
It shouldn't, but then again — this is college. It isn’t the real world. It’s justa place where you’re surrounded by thousands of strangers every day, and this can warp your views of reality.
While I can definitely relate to losing self-confidence by going to ASU and being surrounded by beautiful people every day, I know that I’m still worthy and I work to build-up more self-assurance and confidence to make it through the day.
Of course, there will be moments when you get up and think to yourself, “Wow, I look horrible today” or something similar, but that does not reflect anything of substance.
Do not define your self-confidence by the fact that you are not that girl that gets all the attention from the opposite sex. Define your self-confidence by your true worth, and know it is independent of anyone, or anything, else.
Reach the columnist at tweerasi@asu.edu or follow her on Twitter @tishnii
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