The new semester is in full swing, which means a brand new schedule and new classmates. If you're anything like me, being an Art Studio minor, you may sit desk-to-desk with some pretty talented and bright people. Although this can be very encouraging, it can also cause a lot of insecurities and self-doubt. In some of my fine arts classes, I find myself thinking: Am I talented enough for this?

I'm sure I'm not alone in this one. There's always those over-achievers in class that make you feel like you're falling behind, or worse, just not as smart as them. This is one of the downsides to attending a very prestigious university. However, there are ways to avoid this feeling of self-doubt and use this as motivation moving forward.

First, make sure to not constantly comparing yourself to others, especially when your work is subjective. This is a huge mistake I made when I enrolled in my first art class, Drawing Fundamentals 1. I couldn't help but look around the room at what everyone else was doing instead of just focusing on my own work--I felt discouraged and it showed in my final products. Just focus on your own tasks and keep your eye on your own goals. That's what will bring you success in the end.

Next, seek help or advice if you really feel like you're falling behind. There's nothing wrong with attending a professor's office hours and seeking genuine advice. If you think you need to be at a different level in your class, take every step to get there. Nothing will be handed to you, and the best things are worth working hard for. I'm sure after one meeting with your professor, you'll be feeling more confident immediately.

If you aren't particularly comfortable approaching your professor, try asking some classmates for tips and tricks. If you see someone scoring great test scores, ask what he or she does to study, or even set up a study date in the library. If someone made a killer project and yours wasn't too great, seek some tips and advice from him or her and see if he or she wants to collaborate in the future.

Most importantly, have confidence in yourself. If you don't believe in yourself, then how is everyone else supposed to believe in you? You can't give a speech, present a project, or offer up an artwork for critique with zero confidence in what you've produced. Even if you're not 100% pleased with what you've accomplished so far, be confident in what you have achieved, not what you haven't. The rest will come easier with a little bit of confidence.

Remember that it's normal to have moments of insecurity and self-doubt. Everyone experiences it, and it's something we must all learn to deal with and overcome. While you're looking at someone else's work and comparing it to yours, someone may be doing the same thing to you. Believe in yourself and the rest will come together.