​We live in a society where our looks, skills and emotions can be easily seen and judged by people at any time in any place. It is vital that throughout the course of our lives, we gain a sense of not only ourselves, but also our self-worth. In the context of self-worth, confidence can be defined as your belief in yourself. 

It refers to your ability to handle challenges and succeed, whether in life generally or in specific situations. Confidence plays a significant role in the way that we perform. Sometimes it can come naturally to us, while other times we need to work for it to become valuable.

​There are many different ways that you can become more confident in yourself that go beyond just how you look or the way that you dress. Trine University states that self-confidence can stem from the people you surround yourself with, the activities you participate in and, overall, your general environment. 

Personally, I know that I feel the most confident when I stay busy, and I am surrounded by people who make me feel like the best version of myself. Surrounding yourself with positive people is extremely important, as it can influence your thoughts and attitude a lot more than you may think.

​Being confident actually does have its benefits besides simply feeling good about yourself. You develop an openness to try new things and are able to form healthier relationships with people, according to VeryWellMind. Whether you want to try a culinary class or meet new people, you have a greater willingness to put yourself out there.

​When discussing confidence with my friends, this is what they said makes them feel the best about themselves.

​“Sometimes when I am having a bad day, acting confident makes me feel more assured in myself, even if I don’t feel like it. Especially when I am presenting in my studio class, I just have to fake it till I make it,” said sophomore interior design major Ella Gaskill.

“When I want to feel good, I listen to music as I am walking to class. I think that listening to positive music can trick me into feeling happier,”​said sophomore fashion design major Maddie McElwee. 

​“For me, the way that I dress affects how I see myself. When I dress well, I feel good, so my confidence naturally follows. For example, when I have a test to take, I dress nicely because I generally do better on my exams,” said sophomore biology major Isabella Stull.

​There are so many different ways that we are perceived in this world that it is impossible to please everyone. Whether it is dressing in our true identities, celebrating the music we listen to or even faking it till we make it, at the end of the day, what is important is the way that we feel about ourselves.

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Hi! I’m Hannah Planey, A Magazine’s editor-in-chief. My staff and I are committed to bringing you the most important and entertaining news from the realms of fashion, beauty and culture. We are full-time students and hard-working journalists. While we get support from the student media fee and earned revenue such as advertising, both of those continue to decline. Your generous gift of any amount will help enhance our student experience as we grow into working professionals. Please go here to donate to A Magazine.