What to do if you're the new kid

School is back in session for most of you. And we know that nothing is quite as terrifying as being the new kid. So if you're new to your school, we've got some helpful tips to get you through those first few awkward days.

If you are the new kid….

Ask questions. If you are new on campus, you will have a lot of questions. Don’t be afraid to ask for ­directions or about school rules. Knowing you don’t have all the answers shows maturity, and it makes others feel good to be an “expert.”

Find common ground. Friendships often begin by sharing something in common with another person. It could be as simple as sitting next to them every day ­during third period or having a passion for skateboarding or ­photography.

Join a club or team. Check out the clubs that are available at your new school. Is there a sport that you were involved in at your old school, or would you like to try ­auditioning for the school play? Sure, you don’t know anyone there yet, but after the first practice, you will.

Attend school events. So you may not be a “school spirit” kind of person, but school events are a great way to feel like a part of your community. Even if you show up with a sibling or a parent, you may run into other students and feel more a part of things. Pay attention to morning announcements so you know what’s going on each week.

Avoid negative self-talk. Our thoughts have a lot of power to influence our emotions and behavior, for good or bad. See if you are getting caught up in these negative thought patterns:
Put-downs: “I’m not as pretty as those other girls.”
Overgeneralizing: “I’ll never make any friends.”
Mind-reading: “They think I’m weird.”

The more you believe these negative thoughts, the less confidence you will have, and the harder it will be to attract others to you. Try focusing on the positive. For instance, can you name three things you like about yourself?

Remember that you’re not alone. You may think you are alone, but you aren’t. There is someone out there who likes what you like—be it basketball or beatboxing, poetry or video games.
Just give it some time.