Most people know that bullying is a widespread issue in middle schools and high schools across the nation, especially after the introduction of cyberbullying. What most people don’t know, however, is how common bullying actually is in colleges as well.

       

Going into college, we are often told that we are walking into a place where we can start fresh – where nobody knows our past. We are told that we are entering a nonjudgment zone where everyone is starting off on the same foot. What we’re not told is that this utopia often does not last. In fact, 15% of college students studied by Health Day News admitted to being bullied in college. While these numbers may not be as high as with younger-aged students, the numbers still raise issue. No matter what point in life a student faces bullying, it is likely to affect their way of life in one way or another, whether the outcome is moderate or severe.

       

In a time where people are often exploring different angles of their lives, college often leads way to many things that people can pick up on and make fun of you for – even if they are experimenting with their lives as well. However, bullying doesn’t have to stem from something noticeable to others.

       

In fact, a student who remains anonymous faced a bully in their freshman year at Behrend. He had noticed from early on that a friend of his roommates had singled only him out, while being a little more tolerable of everyone else. “It was because I was small and easy to pick on and he knew I wouldn’t stand up for myself,” he shares. This particular bully would get rather personal about the victim’s family and friends – even his hobbies. He continues, “Aside from verbal abuse, he would throw stuff at me when I was sleeping or turn the lights on or rip my sheets off.” The victim would also be purposely excluded from going out with his friends which was hurtful because they all stuck with the so-called bully.

       

One day all of the harassment finally caught up and he stood up to his bully, resulting in peace throughout the rest of his college career this far. He also tried to talk to his friends who didn’t see it as much of a big deal. “Did it affect me in the long run? No. Because I didn’t care what he thought of me and I knew that’s just how he was,” he states. He continues that he didn’t let anything this guy said change who he was.

       

As far as making others aware, this student says, “Bullying can happen in college, the workplace, really anywhere.” To him, this only proves the theory that bullying has no boundaries regardless of age or place.

       

While many people believe that bullying has to be an act that leads to extreme circumstances, this does not always have to be the case. In fact, the literal meaning according to Dictionary.com is, “use of superior strength or influence to intimidate (someone).” In other words, bullying can be simple repetitive annoyances and coercions by others that can affect your everyday way of life, whether for the long run or for a short period of time. Overall, if you experience a bully, standing up for yourself and staying true to yourself may be the best form of revenge.