Workshop on self esteem
- Secondary
- 17th October 2019
Growing up years can be difficult for students because of the constant academic pressure and high expectations from parents as well as teachers. As such, faith in oneself might dwindle and self-doubts may start creeping in. To help students cultivate self-esteem in themselves, NIE workshop was held at GIIS-Chinchwad for the students of 8th grade. The session was led by Dimple Tahilramani who shared insightful ways to help students recognize the value of improving their feelings of self-worth.
Tahilramani highlighted the fact that low self-esteem can not only be dangerous and harmful for oneself but also for others around. It can leave oneself feeling inadequate, insecure and unmotivated. Students shared valuable inputs as well pointing out that low self-esteemed people suffer from feelings of helplessness, lack of courage, loneliness, and depend on other people’s decisions which consequently adds to their inability of designing their own path to success and their powerlessness to overcome obstacles and fear.
She rightly placed emphasis on the fine line between self-esteem and boasting. Contributing to the topic, a student added to it saying that self-esteem is confidence, while boasting is overconfidence. Tahilramani expanded on it saying that if a person is boastful, s/he would brag about how well s/he is in any particular skill, while their friend(s) are not. On the other hand, a person with self-esteem would never criticize or put down others.
She also offered ways to help students raise their self-esteem. Public speaking, motivating oneself, self-acceptance, practicing gratitude, having a short term or long term goal, celebrating small accomplishments, avoiding comparison, helping others, being positive etc. are some of the constructive ways to improve self-esteem. She drew attention to never be idle because “An idle brain is a devil’s den”.
Lastly, she shared the following positive affirmations with students which they should repeat every morning while looking into the mirror:
- I am becoming better with each day
- I am happy to be here
- I have people who care about me and will help me if I need it
- I will ask for help if I need it
- I am always learning more about who I am and what matters to me
- I love and respect my family for all they do for me
- I love myself
- My dreams are achievable
- I am happy; who am I trying to please?
- This too shall pass
The end note of the session had the students repeat “Thank you God!” in unison in order to be grateful for all they have. It was an invigorating session which should help students learn to value themselves for what they are and grow as better human beings.