<p>I'm a sophomore, and have excellent grades, rigorous curriculum, etc . . .
I hope to go to a Top 20/Ivy League school, but we'll see. </p>
<p>When it comes to getting leadership positions or being confident enough to ask about something or a position or whatever, I'm just too shy. I avoid situations like this, find them awkward, need to prep myself in order for them to happen. I would be interested and good, but getting the position in the first place is so nerve-wracking. I am very active in one thing, but that requires less people interactions. Whenever I see people so confident, easy-going to talk to teachers and other people about serious issues, or to lead stuff, I just get so upset because I wish I could do that and I can't.</p>
<p>If you need to ask for a position, there’s something wrong.</p>
<p>Meh, you’ll get over the shyness. Trial by fire. I’m a pretty shy guy and I can lead the things that I’m leading without much trouble so you can do it too. Just get very good at whatever it is you’re doing and the conversations will come naturally.</p>
<p>Not really ask for a position, but just getting in a position to lead people/get involved to a level that I’m in charge. Or trying to introduce new ideas. I just get scared and shy very easily.</p>
<p>If you screw up, no one will care. People usually forget failures.
If you succeed, everyone will love you. You’ll be more confident.</p>
<p>Basically, don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone does it. No one cares about it. And, in at most a couple of years, all your successes will make people forget about your failures.</p>
<p>Most people feel like this when they first move to get such positions and I tell you the awkwardness whenever you just “claim” an office will hardly ever go away. </p>
<p>But there’s an upside: Once you have a certain reputation people will not give you any crap about it anymore. Your confidence usually goes up as soon as you have your first “get” and you realise that you can lead too, then you’ll realise that people simply respect you and aren’t whispering. </p>
<p>Just make your first move. Dont hurt/cut anyone and be genuine. If you’re good at it people will accept and trust you. And when the next position is opening up you’ll be almost “expected” to run for it, which makes it a lot easier.</p>
<p>you have other alternatives. going to a school with over 4,000 kids, I had trouble myself in making myself heard. I basically joined a few clubs where I was more comfortable with. The school journal in my school had only 10 people in it where as Amnesty International had over 100 kids. Clearly, I was more comfortable in obtaining a leadership position in the school journal. And tbh, Amnesty Int. didn’t interest me as the journal did. So just find your passions and go for it. And make connections with those in charge…try to be their friend or something or get acquainted with a teacher running a club, thats how I was appointed as editor of the journal. If all fails do other ECs, community service, internships, etc. This is all part of life and its necessary you grow out of your shell. Hope this helps & good luck!</p>
<p>Maybe take some public speaking lessons? You have to gain some confidence…how can you lead if you can’t talk comfortably with everyone else and the adviser?</p>
<p>Ya… if you were famous its another story <em>looks at Bush</em>. But still, no one can do anything if people were afraid of failures. Like, I used to be super scared that the ENTIRE world would hate me if I messed up leading. I really kinda failed more back then than now. >____></p>