Low self esteem

Quick tips to improve self-esteem

• You were accepted to study at a university, and that's brilliant - feel good about it!
• Avoid comparing yourself to others - everyone has different strengths and weaknesses.
• Do things that make you feel good.
• Be with people who you feel good with.
• Avoid things and people that make you feel bad.

How can I help myself?

1. Self-esteem and your study

• Do not put all your self-esteem 'eggs' into one basket, your worth is not determined by any single thing.
• Do things other than study that you feel good.
• Enjoy your successes, learn from failures.
• Feel good about yourself for the effort you put in.

2. Make time for fun and friends

• Think about the ways you enjoy yourself.
• Arrange to be in situations which are playful and make you laugh.
• Spend time with people who respect you and treat you well.

3. Reward yourself

• Give yourself a day off from work every week.
• Buy yourself a little treat.
• Do something you particularly enjoy but rarely get round to.

4. Look after yourself physically

• Eat regularly and healthily.
• Sleep well and look after your wellbeing.
• Exercise can give confidence and help you to feel good about your body.
• Pay attention to how you stand and walk, just walking with your head held high can boost confidence.

5. Be compassionate to yourself

• If you wouldn't say something mean about someone else, don't say it to yourself.
• Low self-esteem can make it difficult to identify strong points, but it doesn't mean you don't have them, only that they are unfamiliar to you.
• Being 'good enough' is a great goal to aim for.
• Don't assume you are unimportant. 

6. Ask for help

If you think your low self-esteem is affecting your university experience please contact someone. Friends, family, college welfare teams and academic tutors can all help.

Wellbeing help and support