How to Make Friends in High School
Transitioning from middle school to high school can be rough. What if most of your middle school friends ended up in a different high school, or what if you move into a new district? Making new friends feels intimidating, but here are a few tips if you want to find people to hang out with.
Join a Club or Group
High schools are filled with clubs and most are always on the lookout for new members. Even if you’re not 100% sure about joining, sit in on a meeting or two. You can join more than one organization – not only will you meet more people, you’ll also learn more about your own interests and may want to stay active with an organization in college. A pro tip: join a big organization and a small one too! The bigger club will have a huge range of people to meet, or it may be easier to start conversations at a small meeting.
Play a Sport
Most of us aren’t sports stars. Thankfully, there are plenty of high school teams that play for fun instead of playing competitively. Some high schools have badminton, flag football, or softball teams that are open to everyone – no embarrassing tryouts required! Plus, playing a game together gives you something to talk about, so there’s no need to worry about forcing conversation.
Be Nice
It sounds simple, yet being nice is an important part of making friends! People want to surround themselves with positive, friendly peers. Not only will being approachable make others feel more comfortable with you, it will also boost your confidence and self-esteem.
Learn to Ask Questions
People love talking about themselves, so ask questions and let them open up. Simple questions before the bell rings, in the lunchroom, or in gym class give you a great opportunity to get to know someone. Don’t overanalyze – just keep it simple. Ask someone if they’re new in school, what other classes they’re taking or what they think of the class you’re in together.
Be Patient
Friendships aren’t made overnight – it can take months to get to know someone well and feel comfortable with each other. But please don't become frustrated if you feel like you aren’t making any progress. Be patient, because you’ll find your place at school soon enough!
