If you’ve started college and are dealing with bullying, it can feel like you’re entirely alone and without the possibility of help. This feeling can especially come up in those who have moved across state or country lines to go to a new school.
There are still ways to combat bullying in college, as there are for younger schools as well. Here are four ways to combat bullying at your university or community college.
1. Don’t Hang Out With the Wrong Crowd
Hanging out with the wrong people is a quick way to get into a bad situation at university. Although it can be challenging to understand who is truly your friend and who isn’t, it’s crucial to practice boundaries and safety in your friendships at school.
Signs of a bad friend group include:
- They always ask you to violate your personal boundaries
- They don’t invite you to group get-togethers
- They insult you or swear at you
- They pressure you into doing drugs or drinking
- They call you names
- They constantly attack or speak negatively about someone else that you’ve never met
- They pressure you into believing the same things as them, with the threat of losing their friendship if you don’t
- They don’t make an effort to see how you’re doing
If you often find yourself feeling that your friendship is one-sided, it probably is. The great thing about university is that there are many groups and many people available to talk to and start friendships with. It’s better to avoid a potential group bullying situation by being alone than being friends with toxic people.
2. Report bullying to the university
If you are being bullied constantly and often, it’s essential to report this to your university. Your university should have a student resources website or something that came with your syllabus for your classes that shows you what’s available.
You’ll want to report the bullying to as many people in the faculty as possible, with the proof that it has been going on. Your university will be able to help you make choices to get out of the situation.
3. Ask to Move Dorms or Classes
If your bullying is happening in a single class or in your dorm hall, you should have the opportunity to move. If the person bullying you is your roommate, you can request a roommate switch or move out.
Talk to your residence hall staff or RA if you are feeling bullied on your floor. If you’re being bullied in class, let your teacher know and request a different period of the day to come to class when the person isn’t there.
4. Document Everything
When reporting bullying and working to end it, it’s essential that you have everything documented. If someone comes against you trying to claim you lied, you’ll have the proof available to show that they’re wrong.
You can print screenshots of conversations and emails, take photos of physical evidence, and record conversations (in some states). Make sure you know the laws of evidence. If you choose to take the harassment case to the police, bring everything with you.
Conclusion
Bullying can happen to anyone at university. If you’re facing bullying at your school, make sure to document it, report it, and do everything you can to avoid situations where it can happen again. If you want to learn more about bullying, check out BetterHelp’s advice column on bullying here: https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/bullying/
