How to Conduct Yourself with the School Bully

1. Avoid the bully wherever possible. Don’t give him or her a chance to bully you by preventing run-ins between the two of you. Think ahead about where you usually run into the bully, and avoid those places. Try taking a different route from your home to school and also different routes within the school itself.

But don’t skip classes or go into hiding. You have a right to be at school and benefit from education.

2. Feel good about who you are. Ask yourself what makes you feel and look your best. Emphasize your strengths, talents, and goals. For example, do you want to be more fit? If so, maybe you decide to spend less time on the couch watching TV and more time exercising.

Feeling good about yourself will make you feel more confident and help build your self-esteem. It will also help you be more self-assured at school and perhaps less fearful of running into the person bullying you.

Spend time with friends who have a positive influence. Playing sports or participating in clubs are good activities to help build positive friendships and confidence.

3. Stand tall and keep your composure. Sometimes just acting brave is enough to stop a bully from approaching and intimidating you. By standing tall and holding your head high, you send the message that you are not to be messed with.

Acting and even feeling brave is easier when you