From entering high school to graduating college, it’s one of the most important times in your life. Everyone goes through it, but only the people who have lived through it can give the best advice. That’s where I come in, a 20-year-old college student who’s been through high school and living the college experience to give you all the tips for survival.
Coming in at the tail-end of national bullying prevention month, the Boy Scouts of America partnered with YouGov Plc. to conduct a national online survey in August asking kids ages 6-17 to list the top five most important issues in their community. Of the 1,002 kids surveyed, 28% said bullying was one of the most important issues in their community that needed to be addressed.
This number is astonishing to me because you would think that bullying would decrease since the start of so many programs that have come into existence and that other issues are more prevalent among society. The 28% signifies that bullying is a very common thing, and kids on a nationwide level want it gone.
As a kid who’s moved around a lot and gone through all of the public education cycles, I have learned a few skills. First off, a bully is the result of poor self-esteem, jealousy, and the need for proper love. I’m not saying that every bully needs a hug and will automatically stop being mean, but all of them have a mix of these negative things happen in their lives that caused them to take it out on someone else. I know, it’s unfair. For me, knowing this helped me deal a little better with someone who was being mean to me because instead of despising their guts and thinking something was wrong with myself, I knew that something was wrong with them, and I pitied them. A kid who gets the right amount of love, attention and values has no reason to be mean to anyone else. A kid who is not a bully knows what bullying is and what to say or do to take out their negative feelings in a positive, non-hurtful way.
Second, you must be strong and go above what they are saying or doing. Simple bullies can be handled by ignoring what they say or do. If someone spreads a rumor about you that you peed your pants in 9th grade, don’t pay attention to it; you know that you didn’t and, if you did, who cares? Hold your head high and remember that the bully just wants to get to you, so don’t let them. In other cases, when bullying persists or escalates, play it smart and try not to get your emotions involved. A little secret, in the state of Florida, it is illegal to record someone without their consent, but if you tell a teacher or administrator at your school what is going on and that you would like to file a report, that is all the record and proof you need. Just make sure to take a picture of the document you sign for your own records. Now, if the bullying escalates, you already have filed proof that you told someone before it escalated and won’t get in trouble for reacting, and it will be taken more seriously. Florida law requires each public and charter school to have a set of procedures for bullying that includes cyberbullying; therefore, if bullying escalates, investigate the handbook for your school’s procedures and see what else you can do in a legal stance. If the bullying gets to the point that you believe your safety is in jeopardy, this is serious, and you need to say something to authorities, schools and parents.
Third, I know it’s hard to be strong or to tell anyone about being bullied, but believe me that it will always get better if you let someone who really cares about you know. If telling a parent is too hard, then tell a good friend. If telling a friend is too hard, tell a teacher you trust or an administrator. This is not news; you have always been told to tell someone if you are being bullied, but it’s because it works. You can’t do it all by yourself, so tell someone you trust and know that things will get better. Believe in yourself, and believe that things will get better because they always do. You have to see the rain before the rainbow, but you will come out of this a better and stronger person. It will always get better, you just need to believe it.
Of course, I’m still going through the whole college situation and you should always listen to your parents’ advice first, but I hope this helps. And don’t forget that you have so much to offer the world! Have some advice or want advice on a specific topic? Email Togenerationz@gmail.com with your inquiries.
