LIFE

School-bus bullying can be one of the worst kinds of bullying. Since the only person watching students on the bus is the same person whose operating the vehicle that's supposed to get them home safely, supervision is generally minimal. Meaning, bullies get a chance to say and do whatever they want. It’s hard to deal with people like this, but rides to and from school shouldn’t feel like you're stuck in a perpetual danger zone with no way to get out. So instead of getting mad and fighting back at your bully, here are a few ways to deal with them in a calm, cool and collected manner.

Call them out—*politely*
Don’t let anyone try to put you down. As soon as a bully starts making you feel uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to tell them. When you confront them, it allows them to recognize that their behavior is harmful. Here are some great ways to do that:

“I'm minding my own business, please do the same."
“I heard you and I don’t care."
“I’d appreciate it if you stop. Leave me alone."

If they continue, ignore them
You’re coming home from school and the eighth graders in the back won’t stop talking about you—and you’re only a few rows in front of them. More than likely, they're doing this just to rile you up, so learn to ignore the hate. They'll feel silly for not being able to shake you and you'll feel good knowing that you were able to react calmly in what could have been a heated sitch.

Sit as close to the driver as possible
The closer you sit to the front, the less likely those bullies will bother you. Chances are, they're too scared of getting in trouble for picking on someone, so if the driver is nearby they'll leave you be.

Ride with a friend
Be sure not to isolate yourself from others on the bus. Find a bus buddy—whether that be an acquaintance, a friend or a neighbor—and talk to each other the entire ride. That way, you'll be able to focus your attention on the conversation rather that what your bully is doing. 

Tell an adult
Speak up. Let someone know what’s happening on your school bus and how it makes you feel. Talk to your bus driver and your parents first, and tell a teacher or guidance counselor if needed. These people will let you know exactly what to do and how to make it stop. Advice from adults always helps!

Riding the school bus shouldn’t feel like a nightmare. Have you ever experienced bus bullying? How do you deal? Let us know in the comments below.

by Yasmeena Fakhouri | 9/26/2019