We talk about confidence ALL the time
At collegeconsulting.us we LOVE to talk about confidence.
Why?!
Because college admissions is about "selling" yourself to a group of people who know nothing about you. Building confidence allows you to sell yourself with certainty and clarity, empowering you to communicate your strengths and values effectively.
But being confident is hard!! So here is a neuroscience-backed technique to help build your sense of self:
I'm sure you have heard of positive affirmations - repeating positive phrases to manifest them into your realty. For example: "I am strong and can get through anything."
EXCEPT positive affirmations don't work for everyone. So here is a technique that will help BUILD your self esteem, the directed abstraction technique.
In the directed abstraction technique, you fill in the statement: "[insert event] went well today, because I am [insert adjectives] ."
The action that went well is proof of the qualities you possess.
So here is how you can implement this to build your own self-esteem...
At the end of each day, think of one, two, even three things that went well - a good grade on an exam, comforting a friend who was stressed, doing a class presentation.
Now frame the narrative using the directed abstraction technique. For example:
I did well on my presentation today because I am organized and a good speaker.
Even if you don't think of yourself as a good speaker, your presentation went well so your brain will accept it.
Do this everyday and you will notice the difference in your confidence!!
Want to know how you can leverage this self-esteem in your college admissions process? Check out our other blog posts here, or schedule a call to see if we can help you in your journey!
Best of luck,
Melina Kazanas
P.S. - Have a high-performing high schooler w/ a 3.7 GPA or higher? We'll help get them into at least one of their top 5 dream colleges...and if we don't get them into at least one of their top 5 dream colleges, you don't pay us a penny. Seriously. College admissions isn't rocket science...but it is a science. And we've cracked the code...year, after year, after year. You can learn more about our world renowned all-inclusive, start-to-finish college coaching here and to see if your family qualifies for an introductory call.
P.P.S - Our most common question is "When should we start?!" The answer is, if you truly care about giving your high schooler the best chance of college planning success, you should start NOW. 9th grade is not too early to start! 10th grade is certainly not too early to start! And 11th grade is far, far too late! (supporting data here to show just how much of an advantage you give your child by starting the process early).
