I mean in cerebrally challenging areas, not something like handy work or less mentally complex activities. I feel like maybe I shouldn’t even express opinions in anything philosophical or political.
Consider doing a lot of reading. Regular items like the Economist, websites like Longform. If you commute or walk for exercise, try listening to podcasts – there are tons of piublic radio ones available through iTunes that can help – I like “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me”, Fresh Air, Planet Money, Radiolab, On the Media, and Science Friday. Some episodes don’t interest me, so I skip them (like jazz musician interviews on Fresh Air – not my cup of tea!). Keep up with current events – I like to visit Google News online, which aggregates a lot of news sources, so you aren’t getting just one news source"s viewpoint. All these things will help you be better informed, which should help boost your confidence in conversations,
I do, but being informed and being smart are too different things. People may know a lot, but not know what do with it, or get it wrong. I keep my opinions to myself.
Even News Junkies can be morons.
Especially if they only use one source…
Or even multiple sources. People like articles that enhance their point of view. I tend use Yahoo and MSN more than Google. Google is overrated in my opinion. But like I said, knowing something and knowing how to use it are two different things.
Believe in yourself 
I have actually been in this situation (or should I say I still am in the situation) but now I’m aspiring to study abroad and I can almost achieve it
Believe in yourself I have actually been in this situation (or should I say I still am in the situation) but now I’m aspiring to study abroad and I can almost achieve it