Can You Get Suspended For Fighting In College?

Pursuing education can sometimes be a bit challenging for students, especially when trying to stay away from suspension. So many schools today utilize “In-school” and “Out-of-school” suspension as a disciplinary action used in correcting or punishing students for their negative behaviors. Every year, a total number of three million students encounter out-of-school suspension. Generally, the suspension is mainly for non-violent behaviors. Let us know about, Can You Get Suspended For Fighting In College?

Can You Get Suspended For Fighting In College?

Physical fight in college is worth more than a suspension because fighting is a violent behavior and can lead to injury. A student can be suspended or expelled for fighting in college only if it is stated in the school’s code of conduct or suspension policies.

Let’s take a look at factors that are responsible for students’ suspension in school.

Can You Get Suspended For Fighting In College?

Factors Responsible For Student’s Suspension

As a student, you can be suspended or expelled from college if you ever take part in any of these activities including fighting:

  1. Fighting.
  2. Examination malpractice.
  3. Possessing a gun or any dangerous weapon.
  4. Failure to make good grades at school.
  5. Possessing or doing drugs.
  6. Being intentionally disobedient to teachers.
  7. Violating the school’s code of conduct or rules.

You must always examine your school’s student code of conduct and suspension policies in order not to fall victim to any of these activities.

Suspension Process

Your suspension starts as soon as possible, and the school will be the one to decide how long it will take place. Most times, it’s always stated in the school’s student code of conduct and suspension policies depending on the type of suspension you’re given.

  • Example: The school catches you with a gun and informs you about what you’re being accused of so you know what evidence the school has. Of course, you will be given the right to be heard, but once you can’t defend yourself, then you will be given a suspension with a given time limit already stated in the school’s code of conduct and suspension policies.

Despite suspension being identified as one of the school’s disciplinary actions used in correcting or punishing students for their negative behaviors, every school will always have students who love engaging in fights. It’s your job not to get into any trouble with such students because getting into trouble with them can lead to a fight. Fortunately, there’re various things you can do to avoid getting into a fight at school.

How To Avoid A Fight At School?

Here are five important ways to avoid and respond to school fights:

1. Know how to stay calm

When a fight happens or you happen to find yourself in the middle of a fight, learn to keep calm, don’t forget to take a deep breath, and exit the scene as fast as possible. Doing this will help you avoid fighting, and it can also have a positive effect on people around you.

  • Don’t raise your voice. Raising your voice can make you lose your calm.
  • Always take a deep breath.
  • Always be calm to exit an argument as fast as possible.
  • Pay attention to your body posture. Make sure you’re not positioned in a way that looks threatening.

If you show that you are relaxed and calm enough to stop a fight from happening, then the person who wants to fight might as well back out.

2. Learn To Cope With Insults

You should always have in mind that not all fights are physical. Someone may be trying to pick a fight with you by saying abusive words to you. A verbal bully will always try to annoy you, so don’t ever allow them to get to you, and don’t make them feel contented. Stay calm and keep your cool despite any insults. There are ways to deal with insults.

  • Walk away from the scene.
  • Ending the relationship you have with the abuser/bully is another way out.
  • Choose not to take it personally.
  • Always feel relaxed and do not appear tense, irritated, terrified, or angry.

3. Think Before You Act 

You must always think before acting. “Always ask yourself: “What will happen if I say this?” What will happen if I do this?”. Thinking before you speak can help you be more tactful in understanding your surroundings and how to neutralize negativity with something positive.

  • Consider the possible outcomes before they happen.
  • Know which emotions to use.
  • Always consider the perspectives of others before taking an action.

You should learn to focus on what the bully is saying and then think: “What is he trying to do?”. Doing this will enable you to know if the person is trying to pick a fight with you.

4. Get Help From Others

Things will surely get out of hand when you’re a student. When this happens, don’t be afraid to get help from teachers and friends, or better still report to the principal. You should never allow the bully the opportunity to take advantage of you. If anything goes wrong, you know the way to the principal’s office.

5. Learn To Be Confident

When you display confidence, you can potentially prevent the fight from happening. You can show confidence by looking the bully in the eyes without showing signs of fear. Doing this can help you end a fight even before it starts.

Conclusion

As a student, getting in a physical fight is not a good way to resolve a conflict. You could get hurt, and you could also get suspended; however, you can avoid fights at school by following the above instructions, you would easily resist all fights if you follow each instruction carefully. More so, you mustn’t forget that a student can be suspended for various activities and not only through fighting.

FAQs

Does suspension mean expel?

They might look similar, but they are different words entirely. Suspension happens temporarily: you will be required to stay out of school for a particular period, while Expelled or Expulsion is usually permanent, you will be kicked out of school and you’ll be instructed not to come back. Students who get expelled are always advised to move to a new school if need be.

Can a student go to jail for fighting at school?

A student can go to jail for fighting at school if he/she engages in a fight that tends to be violent, aggressive, and can do much damage. If a student is caught fighting in such a manner with another student, teacher, or non-teaching staff, the student could be arrested by local law enforcement officers. But fights that tend to do less damage can be handled by the principal.

What happens when a student gets suspended?

During the suspension period, you are not allowed to attend school nor are you allowed to take part in school activities for a particular period.

What should I do if I get into a fight in school? 

Whenever you get into a fight in school, make sure to always stay honest and report the incident to the school authority. You should also try to apologize to the person you fought.