One of the greatest compliments that I’ve received is that I’m confident and sure of myself. The road to self-acceptance looks different for everyone, but here are some pieces of advice for anyone needing a confidence boost.

1. Have a mantra, and repeat it to yourself.

You don’t have to scream it to the world, but it’s fun to have a little motto that serves to add a pep in your step. It should be something that embodies you, or maybe the kind of person that you envision yourself becoming. My personal life mantra is “Fierce, feisty, and fabulous.” A big part of being confident is knowing both who you are and who you aren’t. This may be a daunting task, but the way to get there is through baby steps, and having a motto that you identify with can be the beginning.

2. Let it GO!!

It’s no secret that music impacts our mood. This might sound ridiculous, but I admit that if I’m heading into a test or a new situation, I’ll play and sing along to “Let It Go” from Frozen. It doesn’t matter what the song is, as long as it’s something that makes you feel ready to take on the world.

3. Stop caring about what others think.

This is easier said than done, but it’s one of the biggest lessons that I got out of middle school. The cold hard truth is that there are going to be people out there who will dislike you no matter what, so you might as well like yourself.

4. Dress to impress (yourself).

5. Walk with purpose!

Anyone that knows me can confirm that I’m a brisk walker. You don’t necessarily have to speed walk between classes, but how you carry yourself does say a lot about you. Holding your head high and walking like you have somewhere to be will make you look and feel like a million bucks.

6. Take yourself seriously, but not too seriously.

Being a young adult is this weird limbo of being grown-up, but not quite a “real” adult. I think that this is something of which to be cognizant. We’re all trying to make it in the real world, but there are bound to be hiccups along the way. Taking yourself seriously enough to take advantage of the time and resources that college offers is important, but so is taking a step back and realizing how early in our careers we all are.

7. Apply for things in college.

This one might seem weird and out of place, but putting yourself out there and making an effort really is a confidence boost. Something that I’ve noticed is that there are so many internships, fellowships, jobs and scholarships that people just refuse to apply for. We’re all bombarded with deadlines and responsibilities, but if you can find the time, it’s always worth it to apply for things because you never know what opportunities may come out of it. If you get the position, it’s obviously a huge affirmation of your capabilities. And as nice as acceptance letters feel, rejections aren’t the end of the world either. It feels good to know that at least you tried!

Building up your confidence can be a lifelong process, but Rome wasn’t built in a day. This is by no means the ultimate recipe for success, just methods and realizations that have helped me to become who I am today. Overall, it’s important to know and embrace who you are. Now go out there and SLAY!!!