This document provides a guide to resolving conflicts without making the situation worse. It explains that conflicts are disagreements between people and lists gossiping and ignoring problems as things that can escalate conflicts. The guide then outlines a 4-step process to resolve conflicts: 1) take a break if upset, 2) calmly discuss the issue, 3) find solutions, and 4) agree on a solution. It provides examples of conflicts and walks through applying the 4 steps. It emphasizes resolving conflicts directly with the other person rather than complaining to others.

1. CONFLICT
RESOLUTION
How to work through conflicts without
making a bigger mess!

2. What is conflict?
Have you ever had a conflict with someone?
How did you respond?

3. Example a of Conflict:
Is this the right way to handle
conflict?

4. What about this conflict? Is this a
good way to settle a disagreement?

5. What are some other things we can
do to make a conflict worse?
• Gossip
• Ignoring the problem

6. If we know what can make conflicts
worse, how do we resolve conflicts?

7. Sometimes, it is just this easy!

8. 4 Easy Steps to Resolve
a Conflict
• Step 1: Take a break! Before doing anything
else, do something to help you relax if you are
feeling upset.
• Step 2: Calmly discuss the conflict.
• Step 3: Find ways that you can resolve the
conflict.
• Step 4: Decide on a solution.

9. Step 1: Take a break!
Before doing anything else, do
something to help you relax if you
are feeling upset. This might mean
taking some time by yourself.

10. Step 2: Calmly discuss the
conflict.
With the person you are having a conflict
with, find a time that is good to talk about
the problem. Everyone should have a
chance to express how they see things.
Even if you think that you are right, listen
to the other person and try to understand
their perspective.

11. Step 3: Find ways that you can
resolve the conflict.
•Offer solutions to the problem.
•Can you do something to help make
things better?

12. Step 4: Decide on a solution.
• Sometimes this will be easy.
Example: Turning down your music while
your roommate is sleeping.
• Sometimes this will not be so easy. The solution
may be a compromise.
Example: Deciding when it is okay to have
company over.

13. Let’s Review!
•Step 1: Take a break! Before doing
anything else, do something to help you
relax if you are feeling upset.
•Step 2: Calmly discuss the conflict.
•Step 3: Find ways that you can resolve the
conflict.
•Step 4: Decide on a solution.

14. Test Your Knowledge!
Imagine that you and the person
you are dating disagree about what
movie to watch. You really hate
watching action movies and find
yourself getting mad that they insist
on watching an action movie…

15. What do you do?
Tell them how much you hate action
movies!
…or
Take a few deep breaths to relax
before doing or saying anything.

16. Good Try!
Even though you may really hate
action movies, it is always a good idea
to make sure you’re calm before you
start discussing a conflict!
Try Again!

17. GREAT JOB!
You are on the way to resolving
the conflict!
Go to the
Next
Question

18. Test Your Knowledge!
Imagine that you came up with a really
great idea for a class speech you want to
give about your favorite leader, Nelson
Mandela. You tell a classmate about it
and, without telling you, they take your
idea. After you have a chance to calm
down, what do you do first?

19. What do you do first?
Should you…
Calmly explain to your classmate that you
had planned on doing your speech on
Nelson Mandela.
Or…
Tell your professor that your idea was
stolen.

20. Good Try!
Even though the professor might be
able to help you solve the conflict, you
should always look for solutions with
the person you are having a
disagreement with.
Try Again!

21. GREAT JOB!
You are on the way to resolving
the conflict!
Go to the
Next
Question

22. Test Your Knowledge!
What is the best way to solve a conflict?
Talk to your friends about how mad you are
at the person you are having a conflict with.
Or…
Work together with the person you are mad
at to solve your problem.

23. GREAT JOB!
You are on the way to resolving
the conflict!
Go to the
end of
the lesson

24. Good Try!
Sometimes our friends can help us
find solutions for the problem, but
oftentimes, we end up gossiping
about the one we are mad at instead
of working towards a solution.
Try Again!

25. Congratulations!!
You’ve reached the end of this lesson on conflict
resolution!
There is much more to know about the topic. If
you are ever unsure of how to solve a
conflict, before gossiping or ignoring it, find
someone like a resident mentor or a social
mentor who can help you figure out what to do.