Sometimes, it’s easy to give in to peer pressure because of fear of being left out. As we get older, take on more responsibilities and become more involved in our surroundings, saying yes to everything is an unhealthy attitude. Of course, the person who tries to take advantage of their peers’ lack of assertiveness and vulnerability should be blamed. It is also important to know how to stand up for oneself, though.

It is important to say no in dangerous situations and to prevent yourself from doing something you’ll regret. There are some malicious people out there, and it is important to be weary of that. For example, you may remember at least one time you were a bystander to a bullying incident. Sometimes, bullies peer pressure others into ganging up on someone. In incidents like these, people may choose to succumb to the pressure and participate, either actively or passively, in the bullying from fear of retaliation. However, participation in such an incident could lead to serious consequences if caught, including disciplinary actions like suspension and expulsion. It may be hard, but it is important to have the capability to stand up for your moral standards and reject the pressure. Our parents do not have an omniscient perspective over our lives at this point. In college, we are our own advocates. 

Not every decision or action is a one-size-fits-all. People have different needs and responsibilities that are to be met in various ways. It is crucial to be able to distinguish between your wants and needs. Especially in college, which is a time of self discovery and freedom. You might want to go out with friends, but you need to study for that chemistry exam on Monday. It is also important to choose your friends wisely, as, sometimes, people are capable of gaslighting their friends while thinking it is in their own best interests. Not knowing how to form your own opinions and understanding your needs will bring struggle down the road, even being prone to being a victim of manipulation or abuse. 

Even online, we are constantly exposed to infinite content from diverse perspectives. It is a common experience to digest content that highlights specific viewpoints that we might not agree with, but see boatloads of positive responses under the content. It is vital to stay true to yourself, and to not hop on the bandwagon for ill-reasoned intentions. Perhaps, being introduced to a new perspective that allows you to see a topic in another light may cause you to reflect on your own opposing views, but agreeing for the sake of agreeing is not a healthy habit. 

It is indeed hard to be in a position where one has to be the villain or receive unwanted attention by saying no or disagreeing with others. Your needs are important, too, though. As said before, there are people out there who will try to take advantage of one’s vulnerability to fuel their own agenda, and it is important to steer clear of those people. However, as adults, we are responsible for what happens around us and our own well-being and, therefore, have to know how to say no when others are saying yes.