Always have a group of friends nearby. Eat lunch with a group of friends and walk between classes with your friends. Bullies often target people who seem alone and isolated. If you look like you have a solid friend group, a bully may be less likely to seek you out as a victim. [4] X Expert Source Katie StyzekProfessional School Counselor Expert Interview. 28 October 2020.
Bullies often gather near areas where there is not a lot of supervision. Bullies may hang out in areas like the locker room or secluded hallways, for example. Try to avoid these areas. If you have to enter an area where bullies may be gathered, always bring a friend.
Think of things you can use to occupy your mind in the event you’re targeted by a bully. Could you count backwards from 100? Could you recite a poem or song lyrics in your head? Could you try spelling words backwards? You should not suppress your emotions forever. If a bully hurt your feelings, you should talk this out with a friend or family member; however, wait until you’re in a safe environment to react emotionally.
Act like you did not hear anything when a bully lashes out at you. Continue with what you were doing and then walk away as quickly as you can. If a bully sees you do not react to his or her tormenting, the bully is more likely to look for another victim.
Use a loud voice to say something like, “No. Stop it. " Then, immediately walk away. You do not want to get stuck in a screaming match with a bully. Tell them to stop, and then continue on your way. If a bully tries to bait you into an argument after you’ve asserted yourself, say something like, “I’m happy to talk this out with you, but I’m not going to argue or fight. " You could also say something like “Stop bothering me. “[11] X Expert Source Katie StyzekProfessional School Counselor Expert Interview. 28 October 2020. Use assertive body language. Stand up straight, look them in the eye, and speak in a clear, audible tone.
Think about things about yourself you want to change. Maybe you wish your grades were higher. You could work on studying harder, watching less television, and doing your homework after school. If you feel more confident in your grades, your self-esteem will rise. This will make bullies less likely to target you.
Avoid sharing anything that could be potentially embarrassing for you in the wrong hands, like awkward pictures or videos. Extend this same courtesy to friends. Be careful what you post about others, as cyber bullies may target your friends. Always keep your password a secret from everyone. If someone gets your password, they could hack your account and post damaging information about you online. Check your privacy settings. You can avoid cyber bullies by making sure your information is only shared with close friends.
Find an adult you trust. A teacher, principal, parent, or a worker in your school can help you address bullying. [16] X Expert Source Katie StyzekProfessional School Counselor Expert Interview. 28 October 2020. You are not tattling over a small matter. Bullying is serious. If you are getting bullied, chances are other students in your school are as well. You are doing everyone a favor, including the bully, by making sure the situation is appropriately addressed. You can request to change your schedule to avoid bullies.
Show kindness to anyone being bullied. If you know a student who’s a frequent target of bullies, try to befriend him or her. If you notice a student is being targeted a lot, you should tell an adult. This student could probably use help deterring the bully.
