As young adults, making our own decisions in life can often be a daunting task. From the everyday choices we are faced with, to big life-altering choices, it can sometimes be difficult to decipher between what is right and what is wrong. With the powerful effects of peer pressure, even the most confident of individuals can be swayed into making choices they may not agree with. In this article, we look into how to make positive decisions amid such external pressures in the school environment.
1. Understanding Peer Pressure: An Introduction
Peer pressure is a concept that many of us have heard about since childhood. It is the influence exerted by a peer group in encouraging a person to change their attitudes, values, or behavior in order to conform to group norms. For young people in particular, peer pressure can be a real and powerful thing, causing them to act in ways they may not even be fully aware of.
Peer pressure can take many forms. It can be the direct result of someone pressuring someone else, making an individual feel obligated to do something they may not want to do. It can also come from more subtle means, such as simply following the example set by friends or modeling their behaviors. Whatever form it takes, it can be strong and hard to resist.
Types of Peer Pressure
- Positive Peer Pressure: This type of pressure is often used to encourage individuals to make positive life choices, such as studying hard or engaging in extracurricular activities.
- Negative Peer Pressure:Rather than encouraging constructive behavior, this type of pressure can push individuals into making bad decisions such as drinking, doing drugs, engaging in risky behaviors, or breaking the law.
No matter their form, it’s important to understand the effects of peer pressure and learn how to respond. It can be beneficial to identify which pressures are positive or negative, and then decide what the best course of action is. It can be helpful to talk to trusted adults or friends about peer pressure, and to come up with strategies for dealing with it together.
2. Identifying Positive Role Models at School
The teenage years can be a period of great discovery and personal growth; however, this age is not always an easy one to navigate. Maybe the most challenging task for any adolescent is discovering a role model who can help guide and inspire them through these tumultuous times. can be an incredibly beneficial experience for teens.
Look to Current Teachers
Teachers are one of the most powerful and influential role models during the teenage years. Whether a student is looking for guidance on academics and extracurricular activities, or just some life advice, teachers can be extremely supportive and encouraging role models. As a bonus, these individuals often carry a lot of authority and respect from other teens.
Get Involved with Clubs and Organizations
Most schools offer a variety of clubs and organizations that are full of potential role models. For example, participating in student-run groups, such as the debate team or the robotics club, can help teens find mentors with exceptional passion and dedication to their craft. Wherever their interests lie, there’s bound to be a club or organization to explore.
Get to Know Upperclassmen
Though some teens may be intimidated by the older kids at school, upperclassmen can offer valuable insight into college life, relationships, and other areas of the teenage experience that younger students may have yet to explore.
These exemplary students serve as wise and experienced guides for the more junior members of the school community.
Trust Your Instincts
One of the most important things any teen can remember is to listen to their own intuition when looking for a role model. While teachers, clubs, and upperclassmen can all offer insightful perspectives and valuable knowledge, it’s important to make sure that the person being looked up to aligns with an individual’s core values. That being said, it’s always a good idea to trust one’s gut when it comes to who to look up to!
3. Choosing Friends: A Smart Decision
Picking trustworthy friends can be one of the most important life decisions you make. Choosing loyal companions to trust and enjoy time with is not something to be taken lightly. Here are a few tips to remember when looking for your strong social circles.
- Honesty is Paramount: Find a friend who values honesty and is sincere with their words. Hanging around someone who is always spinning stories and lying is exhausting for both parties.
- Look Beyond Shared Interests: When you click with someone over a shared hobby or interest, that’s nice, but make sure there is something more there, someone you can trust. Don’t make that the defining factor.
- Quality, Not Quantity: You don’t necessarily need a huge circle of friends. Nurture the relationships that matter, rather than trying to impress people with your social circle.
One of the best pieces of advice when making friends is to be yourself. If you go out looking for people or try to be someone you’re not, the friendship is likely to be weakened before it begins. Genuine relationships are based on who you are, not who people think you are.
Living your life with friends who have your best interests at heart can be like a warm hug. Be smart and wise when selecting who to trust with your heart. A good friend is worth keeping around.
4. Practice Positive Decision Making: Strategies and Tips
Making decisions can be daunting. Constantly questioning yourself and agonizing over every potential outcome can be exhausting and confusing. It’s important to stay level-headed and focus as much on the process of making a decision as much as the resolution. Here are some strategies and tips to help ensure you make the best decision possible.
- Be open-minded: Listen to all the facts of a situation, consider other perspectives, and maintain an open-minded attitude. Don’t use only your own insight; leverage the insight of others around you as well.
- Get organized: Break down the situation into logical steps or parts, and develop a plan in order to weigh your options and come to a conclusion.
- Make use of your resources: Seek out advice from those you trust and get their perspective on the situation. If possible, do research to build a factual basis for the decision.
When it comes to making decisions, the goal is to weigh the chances and potential outcomes, not to feel anxious about the entire process. It pays to take the time you need to think things through and be sure you’ve thought of all possible outcomes.
It’s also important to remember that making decisions is a learning process. At times, you won’t be successful and that’s ok. You’ll use what you’ve learned to help you in the future.
Finally, remember that the right decision may not always be the most obvious or the safest. You have to make a decision that feels right for you and is in line with your values. It’s your choice and you should be at peace with it.
In the end, it’s important to remember that you are the maker of your own decisions when it comes to peer pressure and decision-making. Keeping yourself surrounded by positive people gives you the support and strength to make the right decisions that help you stay in school and reach your full potential.
