Lacking confidence?

Question

I starting universuty in a few weeks, and am so worried I wont be good enough. I know I got accepted for the course, but a lot of people get in to uni nowadays. I am not the brightest in the world and I lack common sense ( something which I don't think can be improved on ). I am going to study graphic design and am worried that everyone will be at a far greater level than me. I only have ever used photoshop before, but know a lot of other people who know lots of other packages. I just worry that I willl fall behind early because of my lack on knowledge, and that I won;t have the imagination or ability to compete with the rest. I so want to do well though. Anyone out there been in this situation and survived?

Answer 1

You lack confidence, that is probably down to your upbringing. If you obtained a first degree, you would declare to yourself that you were lucky. What you need is ongoing emotional support, somebody who believes in you. My wife was a very good teacher but she never believed it. Parents have a lot to answer for.

Answer 2

Why do students go to schools, universities, learning institutes, etc...? Of course! To learn! And that's the same reason why you're going to the university. What's the use of going to the university if you already know what you have to learn? In other words, you should not worry ahead about falling back already because you are still going to study (and the instructors will still demonstrate to you) what you'll be taking on the tests later.
Do you expect your fellow freshmen would be more advanced than yourself? You're mostly wrong. They're there, too, to study the same course as you intend to. You are all beginners! There could be somebody worse than yourself because that person may have no knowledge at all about Photoshop.... and that's not impossible.
Get rid of the negative thoughts and pursue instead your interest -- study hard and don't think about failing at all. It's simple, you know? If you don't study, of course you'll fail.
Good luck and best wishes.

Answer 3

I did Graphics at uni and you really shouldn't let yourself get worked up about it. Everybody's ideas are different and if you've got onto the course than you must have some unique and original ideas yourself. Don't worry about only using Photoshop, most of the people on your course will probably not have much experience on any other programs either, colleges only really concentrate on the progression of ideas and the bulk of the work at uni is development of your ideas then they will let you get to know the programmes a bit better. Thats why you are going there in the first place, to learn. Remember that you have to start somewhere! Good Luck!

Answer 4

i felt exactly like you when i started uni too (and funnily enough it was a graphic design course too). the best advice i can give is ENJOY it. There are so many people, with varying degrees of ability who will be studying along side you. Even the great ones worry they're not good enough. Just take it in your stride, make new friends and ask for help if you need it. Dont worry about what people think of you or your ability and dont be your own worse enemy. You are there to learn!!! You will probably be able to do crash courses in the software packages you are unfamiliar with but to help yourself start reading (creative review is good, they have tutorials in which you can have a go at). As for your imagination, look at the work of others..you'll have plenty of insipation. photocopy some and collect a scrapbook of things you do and dont like. Even junk is good. Dont worry...you'll be fine. Good luck

Answer 5

You're having university/college jitters and trust me , our first year first semester we all went thought that.

You got accepted into the course, there probably were others who didn't so you must have some kind of skill at graphic design. So you are only familiar with one package , you'll learn more at school.

As for developing common sense, it comes with age , with experience. You're still young yet. Learn to think out the consequences of what will happen when you are going to do something, list all of them, not just the bad. Then act on the good reasons for doing things rather than just acting impulsively.

If you knew it all you wouldn't be in a course to learn stuff would you? That's why you're at university /college. There will always be in college/university and in life people who are smarter , more successful than you are. And there will be people who are less smart and less successful than you are. It's just the way the world works.

You can improve yourself by studying hard, applying what you know and telling yourself that you are good at things, you will succeed and then set out to prove it to yourself.

Good luck and I am sure you'll do fine.

But if you need help with your self confidence don't be afraid to see a counsellor who can help you work on having better self -esteem.

Self-esteems involves not only having confidence in yourself and your ability to be able to choose wisely and achieve but it also involves self-worth, that you deserve to be happy, to achieve, to be loved and love in return.

Answer 6

You are going to be fine. A lot of people feel like this at some points during their lives. If you start to fall a little behind once your classes start, get help. Do not wait until you are drowning. Keep on asking questions until you understand ... do not bow out early due to fear of judgment or embarrassment. If you consistently fall behind, try finding a tutor. You will survive and maybe even excel! Good luck!

Answer 7

You just have to give it a go... you will lose more confidence in yourself if you give up before you start. Living life will improve your common sense. Get in with a good crowd of people in your course and learn from them. Join a study group, ask for tutoring. You will soon learn if you put the effort in.

Don't give up. I felt a bit like you but I passed my course and am now working. It's scary at first but that should give you the motivation to give it your best to overcome it.

Good luck!

Answer 8

haha! no, you should be very confident. we all get scared when we start at uni. i can remember first few weeks at university i thought am not gona do well and its hard, and i had thoughts that some people might be more clever.

BUT, university is about 'learning' your first year is usualy 'level1' where everyone isnt expected to know much, and from there you progress...dont forget there will be many people thinking same as you, and there will be many people on the course! those who are better and those who are worse.


You can achieve what you want if you put your mind into it, all these negative thought will not get you far..always think 'i want to be the best and i will!''


M

M

Answer 9

Hello
I can completely sympathise with you because i used to think like you, Your statement is full of negative things and because you think like this you will struggle through uni. There are a number of things that you can be affected by because of your personal fears: loneliness, not getting the full understanding of your task because of being afraid to ask questions, becoming unfocused and not giving your all. You have to stop comparing yourself to others and start to learn and accept who you are (thats what i have been doing so i speak truthfully and I have seen the benefits) and thats when you will suceed almost effortlessly.

Answer 10

Not in that particular situation, but it seem to me to be kinda like traveling down ones path in life...You will do as well as you want to. The more you want to succeed, the harder you will work at it. Don't underestimate you potential, you may have more than even you are aware of. Don't be intimidated by what you don't know or by what others do, because that is something that is a constant variable, it will change with time. Chase your dream wile you can!

I pray you have a great learning experience, enjoy!

Aho,
Fenix