3 Ways To Ignore Annoying Classmates - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Ignore Annoying Classmates PDF download Download Article Explore this Article methods 1 Managing Your Emotions and Reactions 2 Ignoring Clowns, Competitors, Chatters 3 Ignoring Detached, Shy, and Clueless Classmates Other Sections Tips and Warnings Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Jessica George, MA, CHt

Last Updated: April 26, 2025 Approved

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This article was co-authored by Jessica George, MA, CHt. Jessica George is a Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Professional Master Life Coach, and Co-Founder of Evolve Therapy Coaching based in Glendale, California. With more than 20 years of experience, she specializes in hybrid therapy and coaching services, couples counseling, and clinical hypnotherapy. Jessica holds a Bachelor’s degree from The University of California, Santa Barbara and an MA in Counseling Psychology and Talk Therapy from Ryokan College. Jessica is trained in the Imago technique and the Gottman method for couples therapy. She also earned a Professional Life-Coach Certification from The Fowler Academy and an Infinite Possibilities Relationship Certification. She is a member of the International Board of Coaches and Practitioners (IBCP). wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has 55 testimonials from our readers, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 292,820 times.

Everyone encounters annoying classmates—peers that get under your skin and drive you temporarily mad. While you don’t have the authority to control their behavior, you have the power to manage your physical and verbal response to their actions. Instead of giving them the satisfaction of knowing that they are annoying you, ignore them. At the end of the day, you won’t regret remaining cool, calm, and collected.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Managing Your Emotions and Reactions

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  1. Step 1 Calm and center yourself. 1 Calm and center yourself. Annoying people tend to bring out the worst in us. When you feel yourself getting frustrated and overwhelmed by the actions of those around you, take a moment to compose yourself. This is important to ensure that your mind is clear and to avoid any irrational responses.[1]
    • Take a long, deep breath in, followed by a slow exhale. Continue to take deep breaths until you feel in control of your words and actions.
    • As you breathe, you may find it helpful to repeat a simple mantra to yourself, such as “serenity,” “tolerance,” or “love.” Focus on your one word mantra instead of your annoying classmate.[2]
  2. Step 2 Choose to remain silent. 2 Choose to remain silent. When an annoying classmate intentionally, or perhaps unintentionally, pesters, teases, or provokes you, the only thing you have control over is how you respond. Don’t fuel their negative behavior with poor behavior of your own. Choose to remain silent. Silence is not equivalent to weakness or cowardliness. Rather, it can be the mark of a strong individual who has control over their emotions.[3]
    • While some situations benefit from inaction, others do require our attention. If a classmate is bullying you or others, stand up for what is right.
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  3. Step 3 Check your nonverbal responses. 3 Check your nonverbal responses. In addition to expressing our annoyance with witty remarks and spiteful comments, our bodies also convey our annoyance with eye rolls, mutters, and disgruntled faces. If you are truly going to ignore your annoying classmate, you must limit or minimize your physical response to their behavior too. Don’t groan, sigh, or roll your eyes when they do or say something that gets on your nerves.[4]
    • Just smile and move on. They may be trying to get a rise out of you, so don’t give them that power![5]
  4. Step 4 Put the incident in perspective. 4 Put the incident in perspective. In the moment, it is easy to fixate on the annoying behaviors of others. Their quirks can consume our thoughts and drive us mad! To prevent yourself from overreacting, you must ask yourself this: does their annoying behavior negatively affect my life beyond this moment? Most of the time, the answer will be “no.”[6]
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Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Ignoring Clowns, Competitors, Chatters

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  1. Step 1 Pay no attention to the class clown. 1 Pay no attention to the class clown. Jokers, or class clowns, devote their time and energy to providing comic relief for the classroom. When you are in the mood for the class clown’s antics, their jokes are hilarious; when you are not in the mood, their attempts and humor can drive you mad. Since class clowns thrive on the reaction of their “crowd,” the best way to ignore a joker is to have no physical or verbal reaction to their jokes.[7]
    • Class clowns aim to please and are highly sensitive to criticism. If you can not remain silent, a choice remark could put a temporary end to their comedy bit.
    • If you get in trouble for something the class clown did, don’t overreact. Remain calm and ask the teacher to speak with you after class. When you are speaking one on one with the teacher, explain your side of the story and apologize for any inconvenience you may have caused. Work with your teacher to develop a plan on how to avoid situations like this in the future.
  2. Step 2 Limit your interactions with competitive students. 2 Limit your interactions with competitive students. Overly competitive students thrive on the knowledge that they are better than others. Their determination to prove themselves as superior students can leave others in the class feeling unintelligent and overlooked. If a competitive classmate asks you how you did on an assignment, they are just looking for chance to brag about their score. When this happens, just walk away. If their pestering persists, tell them that you prefer to keep your grades private.
    • For example, you may say: “Sorry, I like to keep that kind of information to myself,” “You did really well on the test. Thanks for sharing your score; I prefer to keep mine private,” or “Please stop asking me. I am not comfortable sharing my grade with you.”
  3. Step 3 Tune out chatterboxes. 3 Tune out chatterboxes. Overly talkative classmates often struggle with self-awareness and egotism. Ignoring chatterboxes is extremely difficult. Their incessant chatter is inconsiderate and distracting. Try to tune them out and stay focused on the lecture or task at hand. If necessary, politely ask them to be quiet or speak softer.[8]
    • For instance, you may say: “I’m having a hard time hearing the teacher. Will you please lower your voice or stop talking?” or “Your talking is really distracting me. Can you stop talking so that I can focus?”
    • If you could not hear what your teacher said, raise your hand and ask them to repeat it. “Sorry, I missed what you said over all the chatter. Can you say that again, please?”
    • If you are at your wits end, seek help from your teacher. Stay after class and talk to your teacher about the chatterbox. Your teacher may rearrange the seating chart and or talk to the student privately.
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Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Ignoring Detached, Shy, and Clueless Classmates

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  1. Step 1 Do not concern yourself with detached classmates. 1 Do not concern yourself with detached classmates. When the teacher devotes time to trying to engage a detached student, your classmate’s inability to actively participate can become annoying. While this can feel like a waste of time, you must remember that it is part of the teacher’s job. Instead of concerning yourself with this student’s disinterest, use the time to get homework done.
    • If you have to work with this student in a group setting, don’t waste your energy trying to get them to help. Instead, ignore them and do your best to compensate for their lack of participation.
  2. Step 2 Remain patient with shy classmates. 2 Remain patient with shy classmates. If you are partnered up with a shy student, you may find their struggle to interact with you annoying. Unlike the detached student, you can’t just ignore your shy classmate. Do your best to engage your partner in conversation.
    • Before you start on the project, try to get to know them first. If they feel connected and comfortable around you, they may be more inclined to talk.
    • Consider trying a few icebreakers.
      • Play a quick round of two truths and a lie. List two true statements and one lie about yourself. Your shy partner must guess which statements are true and what statement is false.
      • Tell a few jokes or riddles.
      • Ask your partner a series of random questions. These could include: what’s your favorite food, where were you born, what’s your favorite carnival ride, do you play any sports, or do you have a pet? Let your partner ask you a few random questions too![9]
  3. Step 3 Occupy yourself when clueless classmates talk. 3 Occupy yourself when clueless classmates talk. While you may master content easily, others students might struggle to comprehend what they are learning. If you have a classmate that constantly asks for clarification, don’t shame them for trying to understand the material. As they talk to the teacher, do your best to check your verbal and physical responses. If you won’t benefit from the additional clarification, occupy yourself with other homework or activities.
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Join the Discussion...

I can’t stand the kids at my school. How do I not go insane. Dec8ying_Mem0ries Dec8ying_Mem0ries I can’t stand the kids at my school. They are so unbelievably annoying and they act like I’m the weird one for having common sense. Read More wikiHow Editorial Team wikiHow Editorial Team It's totally normal to feel as if you don't get along with the kids at school, especially if they bother you. Are they simply annoying, or are they actively offensive or rude? If they're just annoying, it may help to take some deep breaths when you have to interact around them, and to use it as an opportunity to practice being patient with people you dislike (unfortunately, that's a skill that'll likely come in handy the rest of your life!). You may discover you have more in common with them than you think...and if not, well, thankfully school doesn't last forever. If they're mean or they bully you, however, it might be worth voicing how you're feeling to a trusted adult who may be able to help. In any case, it can be lonely having to spend so much time around people you don't like, and if you don't feel like there's anyone you can really be friends with at school, we encourage you to try to find a solid support network outside of school, perhaps through a community group, club, sports organization, religious group, or other social setting. Good luck!! Read More Desiree Panlilio Desiree Panlilio Teen Life Coach Those are some big words and big feelings. The other part is that it is rather vague. What are they doing that is annoying? Could you simply ask them to stop or walk away when their behavior is not reflecting your values? If these people are your friends, are they sharing the same values as you, encouraging you, and lifting you up? If not, is it time to find a new friend group? Read More See all 11 Replies and Read Discussion

Expert Q&A

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Tips

  • Tell a teacher if a student’s gossiping is affecting you. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
  • Count to ten before you do anything. Thanks Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
  • If it distracts you too much from class or escalates to the point of bullying, consult your dean or counselor. They can help with telling your classmate to stop. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Show More Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
  • Show that you're ignoring them by averting your gaze when they try to get your attention, talking over them, turning to speak to another person, or smiling and nodding forcefully while making it clear that you're not interested. This can help get your point across and they might move on to another person.
  • Follow these steps, but if the situation gets out of hand talk to a teacher in private. They may be able to find you a quiet place to work or deal with the other student.
  • If your classmate says something to try and hurt your feelings, try acting like it's a compliment.
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

  • Don't sink to their level. Thanks Helpful 397 Not Helpful 51
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References

  1. ↑ Jessica George, MA, CHt. Certified Professional Master Life Coach. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/wander-woman/201308/how-to-deal-with-annoying-people
  3. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/wander-woman/201308/how-to-deal-with-annoying-people
  4. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/wander-woman/201308/how-to-deal-with-annoying-people
  5. ↑ Jessica George, MA, CHt. Certified Professional Master Life Coach. Expert Interview
  6. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/wander-woman/201308/how-to-deal-with-annoying-people
  7. ↑ Jessica George, MA, CHt. Certified Professional Master Life Coach. Expert Interview
  8. ↑ Jessica George, MA, CHt. Certified Professional Master Life Coach. Expert Interview
  9. ↑ http://www.eslconversationquestions.com/icebreakers-speaking-activities/

About This Article

Jessica George, MA, CHt Co-authored by: Jessica George, MA, CHt Certified Professional Master Life Coach This article was co-authored by Jessica George, MA, CHt. Jessica George is a Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Professional Master Life Coach, and Co-Founder of Evolve Therapy Coaching based in Glendale, California. With more than 20 years of experience, she specializes in hybrid therapy and coaching services, couples counseling, and clinical hypnotherapy. Jessica holds a Bachelor’s degree from The University of California, Santa Barbara and an MA in Counseling Psychology and Talk Therapy from Ryokan College. Jessica is trained in the Imago technique and the Gottman method for couples therapy. She also earned a Professional Life-Coach Certification from The Fowler Academy and an Infinite Possibilities Relationship Certification. She is a member of the International Board of Coaches and Practitioners (IBCP). This article has been viewed 292,820 times. 13 votes - 56% Co-authors: 85 Updated: April 26, 2025 Views: 292,820 Categories: Class Distractions Article SummaryX

Annoying classmates can be distracting when you’re trying to focus, but it’s best to stay calm and try to ignore them. Class clowns are often trying to get attention, so responding to them can make things worse and risk getting you in trouble too. If you feel yourself getting frustrated, try taking a few deep breaths to calm down. If your teacher doesn’t deal with them, try asking them nicely to be quiet. If you can’t hear your teacher when they’re talking, raise your hand and ask them to repeat what they said, since you couldn’t hear. This should give them a hint to deal with your annoying classmates. You can also stay behind at the end of class and tell your teacher. They might talk to the students or change the seating plan. For more tips, including how to deal with annoyingly competitive students, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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  • Sunshyne C.

    Sunshyne C.

    Apr 15, 2024

    "This worked like a charm. All my classmates are geniuses and SO ANNOYING! WITH ALL THEIR INTELLIGENCE AND..." more Rated this article:
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Jessica George, MA, CHt Co-authored by: Jessica George, MA, CHt Certified Professional Master Life Coach 13 votes - 56% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 85 Updated: April 26, 2025 Views: 292,820 Sunshyne C.

Sunshyne C.

Apr 15, 2024

"This worked like a charm. All my classmates are geniuses and SO ANNOYING! WITH ALL THEIR INTELLIGENCE AND..." more Rated this article: Anonymous

Anonymous

Dec 5, 2017

"I consider myself as a ambivert but still a bit shy. Because of that I have some annoying classmates that sometimes..." more Anonymous U.

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May 3, 2024

"I'm going to be honest with you: I ALWAYS get stuck with the crazy classmates in school. The class clowns, the..." more Rated this article: Jayne P

Jayne P

Mar 15, 2020

"I got paired with a really helpless person, and this article helped us both a lot. Now we get along very well and..." more Rated this article: Ivy S.

Ivy S.

Feb 8, 2020

"I had a terrible group for the debate--the class clown and the clueless boy. I used these strategies and, believe..." more Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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