Self-Esteem Hacks: 14 Activities That Help Students Feel Confident and Capable

Self-esteem plays a huge role in how students handle challenges, relate with others, and approach their goals. When students believe in themselves, they are more likely to participate in school activities, speak up in class, and aim higher in their academics and personal lives. However, many students struggle with self-doubt, which can affect their performance and relationships.

Building self-esteem is not something that happens overnight. It requires daily effort and activities that reinforce confidence. Schools, teachers, and parents can help students develop a strong sense of self-worth by encouraging positive habits. Below are activities that can help students boost their confidence and feel better about themselves.

1. Journaling About Achievements and Strengths

Students often focus on their mistakes rather than their progress. A simple way to change this mindset is by keeping a journal where they write down their achievements and strengths. Every day, they can list at least one thing they did well, no matter how small.

For example, a student who answers a question correctly in class can write:
“Today, I raised my hand and gave the right answer in Mathematics. I felt proud of myself.” Over time, this habit helps students see their progress and appreciate their efforts.

2. Positive Affirmations

Encouraging students to speak kindly to themselves can have a huge impact on their self-esteem. Teachers or parents can introduce them to positive affirmations—short, uplifting statements that they can repeat daily.

Examples include:

• “I am capable of learning new things.”
• “I am worthy of respect.”
• “I believe in myself and my abilities.” Students can say these affirmations every morning or write them down in a notebook.

3. Setting Small, Achievable Goals

Sometimes, students feel overwhelmed by big tasks, which can make them doubt their abilities. Breaking tasks into smaller goals makes them easier to manage. For instance, instead of saying, “I will finish reading this whole textbook in a week,” a student can set a smaller goal like, “I will read two pages every day.” Each time they complete a small goal, they gain confidence to take on bigger challenges.

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4. Role-Playing Social Situations

Many students struggle with social confidence. Role-playing activities can help them practice different situations, such as introducing themselves, asking for help, or speaking in front of a group. Teachers can create fun scenarios where students take turns acting out different roles. This allows them to build confidence in handling real-life interactions.

5. Participating in Extracurricular Activities

Students who engage in extracurricular activities tend to develop higher self-esteem. Maybe it’s joining a school club, participating in sports, or learning a new skill, these activities help students feel more accomplished. For example, a student who joins a debate club may start off feeling shy but, over time, develop confidence in public speaking.

6. Encouraging Peer Compliments

In a classroom setting, students can benefit from hearing positive things about themselves from their peers. A teacher can introduce a “compliment session” where students write or say nice things about each other. For example, students can write down: “I appreciate how Aisha always helps others with their homework.”  “Emeka is a great team player during group projects.” This activity helps students feel valued and encourages kindness among classmates.

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7. Creative Expression Activities

Allowing students to express themselves through art, music, or writing can be a great confidence booster. Not every student excels in academics, but they might be talented in drawing, singing, or storytelling. A teacher or parent can encourage students to participate in creative projects such as:

• Painting or drawing their favorite things
• Writing a short story about their dreams
• Composing a song or poem about their experiences When students create something unique, they feel a sense of accomplishment.

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8. Encouraging Volunteering and Acts of Kindness

Helping others can boost self-worth. When students engage in acts of kindness, they realize their value in the community. Examples of volunteering activities include:

• Helping younger students with their schoolwork
• Assisting teachers in arranging the classroom
• Participating in community clean-up exercises These small acts give students a sense of responsibility and purpose.

9. Teaching Self-Care Habits

Good self-care habits contribute to self-esteem. When students take care of their bodies and minds, they feel better about themselves.

Encouraging students to:

• Get enough sleep
• Eat healthy meals
• Exercise regularly
• Take breaks when stressed can help them maintain a positive mindset.

10. Encouraging Public Speaking in a Supportive Environment

Many students fear speaking in front of others. However, with regular practice in a safe and supportive space, they can build confidence. Teachers can create opportunities for students to speak in front of the class through:

• Show-and-tell sessions
• Group presentations
• Storytelling activities

The more they practice, the more comfortable they become with expressing their thoughts in front of others.

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11. Playing Confidence-Boosting Games

Games can be a fun way to improve self-esteem. Activities like charades, talent shows, and storytelling games encourage students to step out of their comfort zones. For example, a “bravery jar” activity can be introduced, where students write down moments when they felt brave and place them in a jar. At the end of the term, they can read their notes and see how much they have grown.

12. Helping Students Overcome Negative Thoughts

Students often have negative thoughts about themselves, which can lower their confidence. A useful exercise is to teach them how to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.

For example:

• Instead of saying, “I am not good at Mathematics,” they can say, “I am improving at Mathematics with practice.”
• Instead of thinking, “Nobody likes me,” they can remind themselves, “I am kind, and people appreciate me.”

13. Encouraging Independent Decision-Making

When students are allowed to make their own decisions, they feel more confident. Parents and teachers can support this by giving them choices in everyday situations.

For example:

• Letting them choose between two topics for an assignment
• Allowing them to pick their extracurricular activities
• Encouraging them to plan their daily study schedule

Making decisions, even small ones, helps students trust their judgment and build self-confidence.

14. Helping Students Develop a Growth Mindset

A growth mindset means believing that abilities can improve with effort. Students who understand this are less likely to feel discouraged by failures. Teachers and parents can encourage this mindset by praising effort rather than just results. Instead of saying, “You’re so smart,” they can say, “I love how hard you worked on this assignment.” This helps students focus on progress rather than just success or failure.

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