Saying ‘no’ often isn’t as easy as it may seem. Especially if it involves a compromise on your character just for the comfort of fitting in friend circles. Throughout our lives, we accumulate behavior and traits that inherently aren’t ours. These traits, whether they contribute for better or worse, eventually define who we are, burying our once pure individuality beneath layers of outsider influence. Among students, it is peer pressure that makes them sacrifice previously held values and step out of personal boundaries just to be a part of the club, so to speak; just to earn a metaphorical certificate of approval from other students. This doesn’t have to be the case, however. It is possible to consciously uphold your integrity and not give in to the ego games. This post is all about managing peer pressure in hostel environments.
Self-awareness
More important than saying the word ‘no’ is the ability to sustain self-awareness at all times. One’s ability to determine right from wrong depends on it. It’s useful to be aware enough to know when something makes you feel uncomfortable and it is this sustained awareness that would tell you if the situation presented to you is worth stepping out of that comfort zone or if you want it to just let it pass by you. If you lack awareness, even the words you choose will not be out of your volition. Instead, you’d just be subconsciously echoing out the programming ingrained in you of what social life is supposed to be like. Hence, step one of managing peer pressure in hostel environments is cultivating self-awareness.
Assertiveness
Once you’re clear about right from wrong, you must be assertive in your communication. No means no, and if you feel yourself being pushed to do something you don’t want to, maybe it’s time to reassess your company. Choose your friend circles wisely as a good part of your personal evolution depends on their influence. Good friends would never intentionally force an unhealthy action out of you. Managing peer pressure in hostel life is not going to be a problem if your peers are rightly suited to you.
Seek help
Focus on your goals at all times and don’t let passing distractions get the best of you. If at all you’re being pushed by your peers to places you don’t want to be in, it’s okay to seek help from authoritative figures.
Managing peer pressure in hostel environments is a crucial skill for all residents. Some are just more prone to those manipulative tactics than others. Engage in positive outlets that make you feel like you’re being true to yourself. You don’t have to be like the others. All that the world needs from you is your authentic self.
S’ Residences is a safe place with zero tolerance for bullying. The goal is to inculcate a sense of mutual respect among all our residents, and our faculty is trained to deal with even the most delicate personal differences. No student that approaches us would ever feel ignored because we make sure your voice is heard, especially if the word is ‘no’.