Peer pressure–how students can deal with it

Peer pressure is something that pretty much every high school student deals with at some point. It's like this invisible force pushing you to do things, maybe things you don't really want to do. But hey, dealing with it is part of growing up, right?

When you think of the word “peer pressure” you're probably  thinking of the negative side of it but sometimes it's not all peer pressure is bad news. Sometimes, your friends can encourage you to do stuff that's actually pretty awesome, like when they push you to study harder for a test or join a club you're interested in. That's good peer pressure in action. It's like having a positive influence nudging you in the right direction. So, it's important to recognize that peer pressure isn't always a bad thing.

One way students handle peer pressure is by sticking to their guns. That means they know what they believe in and they don't let others change their minds easily. If someone tries to get them to do something they're not cool with, they just say no. It's easier said than done, though. Sometimes saying no can feel like you're going against the whole crowd. But you have to know being true to yourself is important.

Another way students cope is by finding friends who have their backs, the kind of friends who support you no matter what. When you're surrounded by people who respect your decisions, it's a lot easier to resist peer pressure. Plus, you can all look out for each other.

Then there's the whole confidence thing. According to Author Robin Wenczl, students who are confident in themselves are less likely to cave in to peer pressure. They know who they are and they're not afraid to show it. Confidence is like a shield against all the peer pressure stuff that gets thrown your way.

And let's not forget about communication. Talking to someone you trust, like a friend, a teacher, or even a parent, can really help when you're feeling pressured. They might have some good advice or just lend an ear when you need to vent. Either way, it's nice to know you're not alone in dealing with this stuff.

So yeah, peer pressure is a part of high school life. But with a little bit of guts, some good friends, confidence, and open communication, students can handle it like champs. Just remember, it's okay to be yourself and do your own thing, even if it's not what everyone else is doing.

Wenczl, Robin. “Self Esteem and Peer Pressure.” Iroquois Springs. 9 April 2024.