I always figured that once I got to college and was surrounded by people ready to go into the “real world,” that my company in school would be a lot more mature and friendlier. Life gets so much better after high school, by the way, so don’t let the people around you get you down. But unfortunately, it’s not true that once you’re in college that everyone will suddenly become more mature. Thankfully, many people do! But there is no guarantee that you won’t find yourself dealing with someone who hasn’t grown up yet, and it’s best to handle these situations with your head up high.

Beyond my wildest expectations, I actually have experienced bullying in college. But the funny thing is that I don’t view it as bullying anymore. In fact, I mostly pity the people who cast nasty looks in my direction or encourage other people to join them in their immature acts. You’re at a university and you haven’t even grown up yet? Good luck after graduation, honey.

The best way to handle these things is to stop paying attention to them. If I’m not on good terms with a person, I will almost never look in their direction. Why should I? I don’t have anything I want to see there. I once had too many people sitting at a table during a school dance I attended and the only option was to expand to the table next to us where one of my ex-best friends was sitting. I sat right across from her and kept forgetting that she was there. When you become engulfed in your own business, you often find that you don't really care much about anyone else's. I'm constantly told about ways people have been treating me and my friends behind our backs, but I’m way too above any of that to notice or even acknowledge it. I’ve got things to do.

You have too many blessings in your life to focus on things that don't matter or people who try to take you down. Do you think anyone who is super successful let anyone get in their way? Search up any of your favorite public figures and you'll find thousands of hateful comments and actions made toward them. But if you want to do well in life, you have to be careful whose opinions you listen to. Most of them don't matter.

Focus on doing your own thing. Continue to be respectful and kind and keep your head up. Anyone who’s going out of their way to be mean to you is 99% of the time jealous of you. Even if you don't know what they could possibly be jealous of, have faith that they are. And their problem with you is their problem alone. Leave it that way.

If a time comes where they are overstepping boundaries and crossing lines you can’t ignore, then handle it with class and dignity. Stick up for yourself in a way that would make your mama proud. Don’t let these people influence you in a negative way, and keep doing what you’re doing.

If they’re talking about you, you’re probably doing it right.