Survive a Trip to Your School Principal

Have you done something bad? Is that trip to the office inevitable? Here are steps you can follow to ensure your survival. Keep in mind the level of threat to your life and are low in this scenario. If none of these steps work, you can always say you will try to cooperate to try to understand his point of view or side of the story.

Steps

  1. Go into the office. Whatever you did, the principal is going to call you and the other people (if you're not the only one) in one-by-one. If you go first, then just go and it will be over in a few minutes. It may seem like an hour for you but it will be over.
  2. Tell the truth. Do not lie! Which means do not make up fake stories or alibis. This will make it worse for you! It is always easier to forgive mistakes if you are honest. Besides, if other people are involved, it's easier to set the story straight.
  3. Give an honest explanation of what happened. Leave out personal judgements like "It was his fault". If it was his fault, your explanation will make that clear. Explain how you tried to avoid getting in trouble, if applicable. Be honest about your claims.
  4. Take responsibility for what was your fault and state that you will be willing to accept punishment for that alone.
    • Example: You are skipping class, and you happen to come across your worst enemy who insists on fighting with you. You try to avoid the fight without success after which you both get caught. You might say, "Sir, I admit that I was cutting class. I tried to avoid the confrontation with John by walking away, but he would not allow it. I will accept any reasonable punishment for cutting class, sir. But I do not deserve punishment for fighting since I tried to avoid it." By doing this, the principal might only punish you for cutting class.
  5. Avoid getting into trouble for at least a month afterward. The principal, no matter how old, will probably have a very good memory and if your trip to the office continues, you will begin to actually get in trouble much more likely with each visit.
  6. If you are being threatened by someone at school to be "beat up" or "initiated" or something else, tell your parents. If you have to defend yourself at school, you can contact them to demonstrate that you have not just "made up" the story. If you have to defend yourself, use the minimum force needed to end the situation. Doing so will demonstrate your unwillingness to participate. Make sure they act first. Once they act, you can cite a legal right to protect yourself.
  7. Do not get people into fighting with you and expect that you will be held faultless.
  8. Playing the sympathy card can be used as a last resort for getting out of serious punishment. If you have been caught skipping class, for example, bursting into tears and making vague statements about "being under so much pressure" and "feeling trapped" are likely to evoke sympathy from the principal - however, this is dependent on your ability to cry convincingly, and whether the principal likes you or not. Try channeling the stress you are under, and the tears should well up with no problem at all. However, keep in mind to not lie at all.

Tips

  • Apologize, even if you don't think you need to.
  • Try to stay calm.
  • If it is your first time doing something bad enough to go to the principal, they will probably let you off with an easier punishment than usual.
  • It is best if you are the good type that the principal always praises. Then he/she would (maybe) give you a lighter punishment.
  • If you got a note in your agenda/planner, do take it home, but whatever you do, do not fake the signature.
  • Never use sarcasm while speaking or defending yourself. It will make the situation worse for you.
  • If you are normally quite good, and this was a one-off, say "sorry, and i will not do it again."But if you have been sent to the head multiple times before, do NOT promise that you won't do it again, because what if you mess up once more?
  • If really cannot cry convincingly, then just think of something sad or bite your tongue.
  • Accept the punishment without complaining. If you complain, your principal may worsen the punishment.

Warnings

  • Seriously, if something needs to be signed, again, do not fake the signature. This is called forging a signature, it's illegal, and could get you into BIG trouble.
  • If caught lying, using foul language, or initiating disorderly conduct, your punishment could be extended detention or suspension.

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