Self-Esteem & Confidence

 

It is common to struggle with your self-esteem when you are a student, as your work is graded, and this can feel like a representation of how good you are. Some students describe their self-esteem as being linked to their achievements, or acceptance by others. Low self-esteem can make you feel anxious, shy, or critical as you struggle to view yourself in a positive or more realistic way. Students can feel under pressure to do well for the sake of their family, communities, college, or the university. However, what we feel about ourselves is not based solely on what we do. 

Our self-esteem can be managed and improved to view ourselves in a kinder, more realistic way. Becoming more accepting of yourself helps you to feel OK about yourself and other people, regardless of the situation. It can improve out overall experience at university and lead to happier, more balanced lives. 

What support do we offer? 

Student Services is here to help you if you are struggling with low self-esteem. We can help you develop healthy coping strategies to manage your self-image and overcome the difficulties it poses in your daily life. You can book an appointment to speak to a member of staff or email support.advice@st-andrews.ac.uk for advice. You can also see our latest groups and workshops on our Instagram

Alternative Internal Support

You can access self-help through various University channels such as:

  • ShelfHelp, which provides eBooks or physical copies which can help you understand and manage low self-esteem.
  • SilverCloud, which provides various modules to work through at your own pace to help understand and manage the thoughts, feelings and behaviours that come with low self-esteem using cognitive behavioural therapy techniques.
  • TogetherAll - a safe, online community where people support each other anonymously to improve mental health and wellbeing. (This service is available until February 2023, after this time, we recommend students approach SHOUT).

External Support

If you would like to access some self-help materials here are a list of alternative support resources.