How to Build Self-Confidence When You’re Surrounded by High-Achieving Students

Have you ever found yourself in a class full of people who seem to always have it together?The “first-class geng”, the loud contributors, the naturally brilliant people who always seem to know the answer before the lecturer even finishes the question.

And maybe being around them has made you second-guess yourself. Maybe you’ve wondered why confidence comes so easily to others but feels so hard for you.

Here’s something you need to remember: confidence is built, not inherited. Nobody was born with some magical “I’m confident” gene. It is a skill you grow, one decision at a time.

We sometimes feel Intimidated because of the following reasons:

I. Comparison Culture: Nigerian universities can be intense. Everyone is trying to outdo everyone, and it’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind.

II. Pressure from Family, Friends & Social Media: You hear “What did you get?” more often than “How are you doing?”

III. Fear of Failure & Imposter Syndrome: Sometimes you feel like you’re not supposed to be in that class, that course, or that department. Like a small mistake will expose you.

You can reframe the narrative when you:

I. See High Achievers as Inspiration, Not Competition: Instead of feeling threatened, ask: “What can I learn from this person?”

II. Understand Your Unique Strengths: Not everyone shines the same way. Some people speak loudly; others think deeply. Some are fast learners; others are steady builders.

Practical Ways to Build Confidence

Celebrate Small Wins: Keep a weekly “wins list”: finishing a topic, asking a question in class, understanding a difficult concept. Small wins build big confidence.

Skill Up Intentionally: Attend tutorials, go for office hours, form study groups. The better prepared you are, the more confident you feel.

Prepare Deeply: Confidence follows competence. When you actually know your material, confidence comes naturally.

Speak Up in Micro-Steps: Start small: ask one question per week, volunteer for a definition, or give a short answer. Micro-confidence becomes macro-confidence.

Limit Comparison Triggers: Mute people, unfollow people, or stay off spaces that constantly make you feel like you’re not enough.

Confidence is not a switch you turn on; it is a journey you walk.Every small step you take, from speaking up once, to studying a little deeper, to celebrating your progress, builds you into a more self-assured version of yourself.