Kinda Scared: Problem with grad school classmates

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I know it's weird. I didn't expect this coming from fellow adults. . . but it has gradually dawned to me that my grad school classmates not just ignore me but a good number of them are doing things to cause me psychological discomfort; much like bullying.

Earlier this year when the course started I was going through the final stages of a terrible year of mobbing at a very bad workplace I quit - so I avoided most social contact. I felt comfortable in class back then, though.
Now that the social group has already taken some form I see that some pretty disgusting attitudes are being had towards me; attitudes that just "didn't happen" at first.

One remarkable thing is that people avoid sitting near me. They leave a radius of one or two vacant spaces around me; I know I don't smell.
If someone does speak to me, either one of couple specific persons will interfere and try to obtain 100% of that person's attention - usually with relentless but void conversation.
I repeat: other than that, people blatantly ignore me.

There was a business simulation and I landed on some team. A guy from another team who wanted to rip us off said right in front of me to a teammate of his "This one's easy! We'll make a big buck out of this one! Just sell him that damned crap!". What followed was a very uncomfortable situation in which he actually in invaded my personal space shouting things like "C'mon man! It's a bargain! c'mon! Dammit!" and actually grabbing my arm while I tried to shake him off as politely as possible (I was actually busy looking for something else; didn't want to be sold random stuff). I felt stupid and insulted.

A couple months ago I decided that since I didn't socialize much I might as well participate more in class and eliminate any idea that I might be some kind of idiot. It is very easy for me to be better in class participation since that, provided I pay some attention, I can automatically follow the explanation even up to a few logical steps beyond what the guy is currently saying so when a question is posed I already have the answer. I did so for a couple classes but the overall reaction wasn't too good (I had assumed they would respect me a little more); I think I heard a muffled comment and snigger. . . always to the right and to the back.

One of the things that happened is that certain students began making it a point to take my place whenever I'm late - otherwise they avoid that area altogether.

Another business game was implemented recently; no groups this time, just a public ranking with scores. I did well. In fact, I thrashed everyone.
I saw the ranking on the uni's site during work. The next class I arrived with a grin only to find people that seemed to make a point of congratulating another random student with a score lower than mine (anyone else). . . right in front of me.
Last class, after something happened that caused most of them to get a very bad score, a guy started yelling that "just look: only the little weirdoes have gotten a good score. . . normal smart people couldn't possibly. . ."

. . . I give up. I don't know what to do anymore. I never insulted anyone. I never denied any help when asked yet. . . I get treated like I'm some sort of idiot who did something morally comtemptible yet neither thing is true. I don't get it.

Relax...

Ignore the silly games you don't need to play them.

It can be hard, for most of my life I have been completely unaware of what actually turns people against me but most are like sheep one person decides your not part of the group and the rest follow. Just plod on and eventually one or two of the cleverer ones will realise your a worthwhile person.

Nothing changes in an instant.
Good luck.

Ignoring is a tactic to dehumanize, in presenting that you are unimportant and insignificant. It's often a classic bully tactic of the socially superb and skilled, and/or those versed in psychological warfare.

Also, some people will ignore behaviors or people in hopes it/they will go away. Unfortunately, there is being reported a resurgence of gangs, which has been ignored, and didn't go away. Personally, some of it has to do with the "wannabe pack mentality", in this long war in the Middle East, that has become exploited in being divisionary.

Yes, it's unfortunate, but bullying continues into adulthood and the workplace. I find that it often takes on subtler, passive-agressive forms, like efforts to promote conflict between me and a supervisor. Often it's so subtle that I don't even recognize it until months or years later.

This can be extremely stressful. Especially if you are all alone in it as you seem to be.
I never talked to anyone in my college classes really, and it was only as I got into the upper levels with smaller and smaller classes that it became an issue. It eventually led to me going to class less and less and finally dropping out all together.

Maybe try reading some jokes or something that makes you laugh before you go to class. Then when you feel all alone in there you can think back on it and laugh to yourself. Then you maybe you can laugh at them too for being such cruel and mindless sheep.

This is true. I think you need to be mature to know what to do in those situations. It is a fine line sometimes between when you should say nothing and when you should be assertive. I find it tough finding the right kind of assertive, because I often want to start swearing and physically assaulting the person

It's tempting to yell, "Weir-DOS! Weir-DOS! Whoop, whoop whoop." and wave your arm when someone pulls a dumb crack but it just reinforces their bad attitude. You were targeted by one or two idiots because you're handy. If you weren't there, one of the others would be the target. I've had people pull this stuff on the job and answered in different ways. The most effective was to walk away and just do my job. As long as there are no physical threats or attacks, let the twerps fail the course and move on while you move forward.

Eventually the dogs will stop barking at your wagon wheels and return to the fort to lie at the feet of their masters. You will ride off into the sunset on your own trail.

Thanks for the answer.
I don't know what to think.
Nothing much has happened since then.

A girl has kind of entered my social space to put it some way - after brief glances between us in group situations which called my attention but can't explain. She knew my name and asked why didn't I go for drinks with them.
She seems to have made a point of sitting right besides me during class and I took this as an opportunity to kind of leasen that weird and dangerous isolation situation; a few more people have settled in the surrounding area and I exchange some words with them.
She has also begun offering to drive me home; I accepted. She lives a block away from me with her boyfriend so I thought it's ok; I should just take that face value.
She has secured my phone number too - I guess this would happen with everyone else if I did bother to socialize with them.
As I kind of expected, she called a few days ago for advice on a given subject. So far so good.
Now, at some point during this call we mention next exam and she goes on to say how is that the days preceeding it she's gonna be all alone at her apartment and, of course, able to study a lot - her boyfriend away on a trip. Then the conversation falls into some subtle loop in which she repeats that "alone - boyfriend away" fact until I change subject which, in turn, causes an awkward 3 seconds sorta silence on her part. We move on. I'm not sure if there was a faint giggling on the line at some point; maybe she was teasing her boyfriend himself with the convo.
Thing is, is this situation actually innocent?. I'm not sure what to make of it.

Nonsense. If making good grades is what makes you happy, then do it regardless of what these jerks think.

People are threated by those who best them. It's that simple.

The answer? Keep it up and thrash the hell out of them. Revel in their petty behavior and the knowledge that you are more intelligent than them.

It's probably tough to do but ignoring is the way to go. Really, you have no good reason to acknowledge their existence with the exception of the negative ones - those aren't good ones!! !

If you have no relationship with them and really have no reason to inteact with them you don't even have to acknowledge them. Just focus on your studies and you'll be fine.

. . .so was this girl I mentioned trying to pull off some weird mind game on me?.
Is her behaviour normal at all?.

Last time I saw her she also came to sit besides me but another girl came looking for her. They spent some time talking in the hallway and glancing my way; then she came back, took her things and sat with the other girl at the other end of the room.