Peer pressure occurs when students try to influence each other's decisions. Peer pressure can be positive; for example, a student could remind her friend about the math homework or encourage him to go out for a sports team. However, peer pressure is often negative, such as pressure to drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, cut class, cheat on a test or shoplift. Students often find it difficult and stressful to refuse peer pressure.
Bullying occurs when a person is repeatedly picked on by someone more powerful than he is. Students who have an unusual appearance, are a different race or religion, may be gay or lesbian or who are perceived as outsiders are often bullied. Bullying can be physical, such as hitting or tripping, or verbal, such as taunting or teasing. Boys and girls can both be bullies or bullying victims. Bullying often causes problems with schoolwork, health and self-esteem.
Cliques refer to groups of friends that exclude other people. Cliques usually have codes of behavior -- such as requirements to dress a certain way or play a certain sport -- and tend to focus on status and popularity. Cliques often bully or insult outsiders. Belonging to a clique can be stressful and harmful, too, because cliques often discourage members from socializing with anyone else and require members to act a certain way to fit in.
If you're struggling with social problems in school, you're not alone. Talk to a trusted adult if you're in physical danger from bullies, you've made poor choices because of peer pressure, you're considering self-harm or suicide or you're just overwhelmed by your situation. Remember, things will get better. Spend as much time as you can with friends you trust, and get involved in activities you enjoy. And don't be afraid to build friendships with people different from you -- you'll probably find you have much more in common than you think.