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poor students often feel more successful (until they are tested), because they don't experience much self-doubt. In psychology, this is known as the Dunning-Kruger effect (Kruger and Dunning, 1999). Poor students lack insight into their own limitations - as they would have to know about the vast amount of knowledge out there to be able to see how little they know in comparison. That means that those who are not very good at something tend to be overly confident, while those who have made an effort tend to underestimate their abilities. Poor students also have no trouble finding a question to write about: they neither lack opinions nor the confidence that they have already thought them through.

PERSUASION TIP 9 Display confidence (either real or faked) to improve your persuasiveness. You have to believe yourself, or at least appear as if you do, in order to get anyone else to believe.

If you are comfortable and happy with who you are, then you have the kind of confidence you need for a successful life. It is about being truly OK with who you are, what you are doing and where you are heading. It is about knowing what you know, what you do not know and being willing to say so. It is typified by a quote I recently read: 'I used to walk into a room full of people and wonder if they liked me; now I look around and wonder if I like them.'

Research backs up this "fake it till you feel it" strategy. One study found that when people assumed a high-power pose (for example, taking up space by spreading their limbs) for just two minutes, their dominance hormone levels (testosterone) went up and their stress hormone levels (cortisol) went down. As a result, they felt more powerful and in charge and showed a greater tolerance for risk. A simple change in posture led to a significant change in attitude.

First impressions are everything The most important moment to consciously manage your body language is when you first meet somebody. First impressions count, and it's true that you don't often get a second chance to make a first impression. The secret is to exude confidence and trustworthiness: * Always smile, make eye contact and have a firm handshake when first meeting someone (although you should be aware that this isn't appropriate in every culture). * Have an upright posture whether you're standing or sitting. If you are sitting down, keep your legs together and don't fidget or move around too much. * Dress appropriately for the occasion. If in doubt, dress more formally than you might normally - it is always easier to dress down than it is to do the opposite.

Try not to let your confidence be weakened by minor knocks, and recognize when other people are trying to put you down and make you feel small. Comments like these can make you upset, angry, jealous, even tearful. This is normal.

Confidence is contagious, too. As you act more confident with yourself, you give other people the permission and courage to do the same.