15 Ways to make friends at a new school
Whether you’ve just moved to a new neighborhood or simply moved up in grade from one school to another, making friends at a new school is always challenging.
At the beginning of the school year, The Friendship Doctor always receive lots of questions from students who are worried about making friends at a new school—as well notes from their concerned parents. Whatever your age or circumstances, change is hard and can be challenging to friendships.
Contributing writer Amy Feld developed these excellent tips for making friends at a new school. Do you have others to add to the list?
1- Be friendly
Smile, make eye contact and talk to everyone, don’t limit your friendliness to one specific type of student.
2- Be interested in others
Be a good listener and ask questions.
3- Get involved
Join sports, clubs and after-school activities to find friends with similar interests.
4- Be yourself
People appreciate authenticity and will gravitate toward you.
5- Be confident
People are drawn to those who like themselves. Focus on the positive and remember all you the strengths you can bring to new friendships.
6- Be trustworthy
Avoid gossiping or talking negatively about others and avoid those who do. People who talk about others will probably talk behind your back too.
7- Be kind
People gravitate toward those who are genuinely nice and kind, and will return your kindness.
8- Seek out others who treat you with respect
Good friends will enhance positive feelings you have about yourself. Avoid those who diminish you.
9- Avoid peer pressure
Good friends will not try to force or convince you to do dangerous and/or illegal things, even if “everyone” else is doing it.
10- Make acquaintances first
Don’t expect too much too soon. Friendships can take a while to develop and most friends start off as acquaintances.
11-Invite yourself
Ask students who look friendly if you can sit with them at lunch. There are many other students who are as eager to find new friends as you.
12- Ask for help
Don’t be afraid to tell your classmates that you haven’t yet made friends.
13- Talk to a parent, teacher or counselor
If you find yourself struggling, allow the adults in your life to support your efforts to make acquaintances and friends.
14- Talk yourself into confidence
Be a friend to yourself by avoiding negative self-thoughts.
15- Keep trying
If the first or second times don’t work out, that doesn’t mean nothing will. Give yourself the gift of time.
Category: MAKING FRIENDS
I live in norway and i am going to change school but i am vert svares that no one is going to like Me.
I don’t really know why but I have tried the’s things with people at my school but I don’t really seem to fit in. I don’t have a best friend.
Nevertheless, these tips helped me gain a few friends but we are not so close.
How can we be?
This sounds like great advice even if you aren’t still at school.
I still remember being so anxious as a child at the start of every school year. I wish I had advice like this way back when- it would have saved me a lot of sleepless nights!