Do you trust your gut? Follow your instinct even if you aren't sure why it's telling you to walk home by a different route than usual, or to swipe left on a match that otherwise seems promising? Or does your rational brain prevail in these situations, using logic to dissuade you from making that move?
It turns out that those flashes of intuition, hunches, feelings that something isn't quite right, or even little voices in your head guiding you in one direction or another aren't as suspicious as some skeptics claim. Learning to follow your gut can help you avoid uncomfortable encounters, steer clear of unhealthy relationships, and even keep you safe, body and soul.
Read on to learn why you should listen to your intuition and what to do if someone you interact with in school is creeping you out and making you uncomfortable.
What Exactly Is Intuition?
People tend to devalue the notion of intuition, lumping it in with ESP and psychic predictions and other nebulous, dubious new-agey concepts. However, your intuition is a finely honed skill developed from years of impartial observation—of the world, of other people, and of your own experiences with both of those.
An individual's intuition comprises all of their collected knowledge. Some of this is closer to the surface—the face your spouse or partner makes when they're irritated and want to be left alone, or knowing that a particular neighborhood is quiet, brightly lit, and generally safe while an adjacent area is crime-riddled. Other types of knowing are akin to instinct; you might not even realize that you have this knowledge at all, let alone rely on it day-in and day-out. The Harvard Business Review calls intuition “a form of emotional and experiential data” that we apply automatically to the situation(s) at hand, often unaware that the process is playing out.
Creepers Are Gonna Creep
Everyone has encountered a classmate, coworker, or acquaintance who makes their skin crawl for no apparent reason. Call it a bad vibe or a dark energy or bad juju, but occasionally we all run across this kind of person and take an instant dislike to them.
When this happens, give that person a wide berth (even if you can't quite put your finger on why they creep you out). If that doesn't work, or if the creepiness seems directed solely toward you—as in a stalking situation—it's time to get assistance. Your next steps include:
- Contact your resident advisor, a trusted teacher, or campus security to explain the situation and express your apprehension.
- Don't continue to engage with a suspected stalker. Tell them in plain terms that you are uncomfortable with their behavior and ask them to stop. You may want to inform them of your next steps, such as speaking with someone in a position of authority.
- Don't feel like you have to give this person the benefit of the doubt; don't write off their behavior as awkward but harmless. Don't let anyone else talk you into “giving him a chance” or trying to “get to know her.”
- Women and girls, in particular, are taught from a young age to make nice, go along, keep quiet, and please everyone. Those who do otherwise get labeled and shamed. It's difficult to resist this socialization, but it could save your life. If someone is acting in a way that makes you uncomfortable, you have every right to put a stop to it, leaning on authority figures if necessary, and/or exit the environment.
- It's not necessary to have an explanation for why you're feeling a weird vibe or want them to leave you alone. The people you turn to for help might ask—it's easier to find a solution to this situation if there's a specific untoward act or other solid evidence—but you don't need to provide one. It's enough to say that you don't want any contact with them; if they continue to talk to or message you, they'll be in violation of the school's code of conduct.
Parting Thoughts
It's your school's responsibility to keep you safe. That's why they have fire drills, use safety protocols in science labs, and enforce code of conduct violations. When a female student is left to fend for herself, vulnerable by virtue only of her gender, the school is shirking its duty. Should she come to further harm at the hands of another student, the school can be held accountable under Title IX.
Grappling with the school's administration over a stalker, a would-be stalker, or a creepy person who's simply bad news is the last thing you and your family need. Let us help. Education Lawyer Joseph D. Lento has brokered many agreements between students and schools in cases. He and his team at the Lento Law Firm can help you too. Provide the details of your situation through this convenient form or call us at 888-535-3686 to get started.
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