Confidence: Believing you worked/studied hard?

College Life
1

<p>Hello :)</p>

<p>I am going to make this as simple as I can. </p>

<p>*For reference I am an intended transfer community college student. PoliSci.</p>

<p>Basically, I have this problem of lacking the belief that I actually studied hard. And no, I am not talking about lack of belief that one studied hard before a test even though they did. I do not lack confidence before I take a test. I lack an OVERALL belief/feeling that I actually worked hard…
For example: Say I study for 2 days straight for a really hard exam. I study, study, study. And then on test day, I’m obviously freaking out/nervous as much as everyone else. I usually get an A or B. When I’m done and see how the ‘hard work’ paid off I feel like I lack that ‘good feeling’ that a lot of people get when they pull all-nighters and ace a test. It’s almost like I lose no matter how much I ‘win.’ This is not just on an individual test basis, it’s an overall grade, GPA, and an academic confidence problem as well. It just spans out across every aspect of my academic life. It is quite haunting and dull if you ask me. You could describe it as some sort of full time ‘confidence burn out.’</p>

<p>I don’t think its because of the need to overachieve, and I feel like its rooted in something obvious that I need to fix. I have no idea what it is…but I want to get that feeling of determination and exhilaration that I used to get after fulfilling the goal…that drive that you get after you see yourself achieve something…the one that makes you strive to go even further. I don’t get that anymore. </p>

<p>Does this happen to anyone else? Any tips?</p>

<p>p.s Sorry if it sounds strange…or if I made no sense. It’s kind of hard to explain…it’s something that is more easily thought than explained.</p>

2

<p>Maybe you should switch into a difficult major. I just got home and it’s almost 1 AM…</p>

<p>I don’t actually recommend all-nighters. Those just make you feel tired.</p>

3

<p>Maybe you aren’t working as hard as you desire or you’re not being challenged enough. That’s not to say you aren’t working hard, but perhaps you aren’t working hard enough.</p>

<p>I got the same feeling freshman and sophomore year. I had to study, of course, and put time and effort into my work, but is never felt satisfaction until I overpacked my schedule and course load and felt the “I might ACTUALLY (realistically) get a bad grade” feeling.</p>

4

<p>I agree that you feel more accomplished and good about yourself when you really have to work hard for something. </p>

<p>As an example, my 2nd semester of college was really easy. I don’t know why, but I barely studied yet got 4.0s in all of my classes. I’d study sometimes, of course, but I never felt that “hard work paid off” because it didn’t. I’d get the A anyway. </p>

<p>Fast forward to now. My courses are extremely difficult, and I feel pleased with myself because I HAVE to work hard. I may not be getting 98% 4.0s, but I’m working hard and am content that doing my best. </p>

<p>Just strive to do your best. Once the courses get harder, you’ll find yourself putting in more work and feeling less guilty about it. </p>

<p>Good luck! </p>