I decided to write an article about confidence, because I feel as if it is something we all really need this time of the year. The end of the school year is approaching fast and we're all becoming overly stressed. Sometimes it feels as if there's no end to the stress and it feels as if you're never going to make it through the end of the semester. But I'm here to tell you that you can and it will be OK! The key to finishing this semester off is confidence. Confidence will help you persevere through the hard struggles and motivate you to put out your best work. Here are five ways to help you gain that confidence.

1. Don't let anyone define you.

This is one that I personally struggle with a lot. No one knows you as well as you know yourself. Don't let people make assumptions about you, and if they do, don't let those assumptions get to your head. Just keep doing you and be confident in what you do.

2. Don't compare yourself to others.

In our society, we are always trying to fit in and be better than each other. You can't make everything a competition. Be confident and proud in what you do. It doesn't matter what others around you are doing. Just as long as you're happy with what you're doing.

3. Be confident in your own skin.

We are always critiquing every little part of our body and it needs to stop. Once we feel more confident physically, we can feel more confidently mentally. One way you can do this is changing your body language. Walk with confidence and a smile on your face. Feel good and confident about who you are and how you look to others.

4. Shut out negative thoughts.

This is honestly probably the hardest thing to do although it's the simplest thing to change. I know I personally always resort to the negative, but you have to think more positively. Just having a different mindset can change your mood instantly, guaranteeing confidence.

5. Keep moving forward.

Despite all the negative in your life, you just need to keep motivating yourself and pushing forward. Giving up is not an option. Once you realize this and have the motivation to keep trying, you will just become more and more confident. And when you finally achieve that hard task, you feel as if you're on top of the world. The king/queen of confidence.