How to Handle Being the New Kid at School
Be confident., Get used to the school., Pack a cold lunch on the first day., Join in some after school activities., Introduce yourself to your new teachers., Try to look your best the first day of school., Be confident., Be honest., Talk with the...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Be confident.
Walk with your head held high and don't slouch.
If you look confident, everyone will think you're confident.
That's why first impressions are so important.
Just remember not to be overly confident, you don't want to come across as rude or self absorbed. -
Step 2: Get used to the school.
This way you'll know where everything is.
You also won't be embarrassed because you do not know where anything is. , This way you will be able to get to the lunch room early and won't have to face the embarrassment of having nowhere to sit. , That way you will meet some friends that have the same interests as you.
They may not go to the same school, but they're still friends, right? , They will be glad that you can speak for yourself and will respect you for that.
It may be hard for you but you do not have to do it in the middle of class! , Wear your best outfit (not fancy), and do your hair nice and neat.
Something like a plain shirt and jeans is fine.
Remember, first impressions are important. , This is another first impression thing.
People will respect you for being confident. , If they asked you where you lived, don't lie, tell them the truth.
Don't tell them you live at that White House. , You'll make a friend you sit next to every day. , Smiling is one of the quickest ways of making people like you.
It makes you seem more friendly. , For at least the first day, you’re exotic.
Especially in a school where there isn’t much coming and going, you’re someone special.
Yes, it’s true you left what is familiar.
But the new place is also a new opportunity.
Nobody knows who you are, who you hung out with, or what to expect from you.
If you didn’t quite like who you are or the reputation you had, you have a chance to start over.
If you did like it, you can take that confidence with you and make a big splash. , If at all possible, visit the school before school starts.
It’s hard enough to start over without also getting lost all the time.
Ask your folks to arrange a tour.
Figure out where the principal’s office is and how to get to the library.
Ask for a map of the layout of the school.
No time for this? Well, asking for directions is one way to begin to get to know people. , Get on the Internet and find out about the school.
There’s probably a website.
If there isn’t one for the school, look for the town’s site.
You can find out about sports teams and events.
You can learn what clubs are active and how the teams are doing.
You can even check out what is usually served for lunch. , When you’re lonely, it’s tempting to grab onto whoever grabs you.
But you want to take the time to look things over and figure out who’s who.
As you know, as soon as you start hanging with a particular group, it will be hard to change your mind. , For most teens, clothes are code for who you are.
Wear a clean, neat, but kind of neutral outfit the first day.
Get up in time to shower and do your hair.
Jeans are generally fine as long as they’re clean and not flashy.
Presenting yourself neutrally the first few days gives you time to figure out the informal rules for dress among the students.
Once you’ve got it down, you can dress to fit in with the group you want to accept you. , Pack a lunch so you don’t have to stand in line wondering whether to accept someone’s invitation to join their table or, worse, to have to walk the long mile in front of everyone to an empty table.
Confidently sit on the edge and watch for a few days.
Sit in a way that broadcasts confidence.
You’re not a reject.
You’re taking the time to think about who you’ll choose to be with. , First impressions do matter and you want to make a good one.
Try to get to classes a bit early or to stay a few minutes after class to introduce yourself and to tell them where you’re from.
A few minutes of politeness will get things off on the right foot. , A fast way to get to know some people is to join a team, a club, the band, a service organization, or student activities.
People who share the same interests are likely your kind of people.
Even if you don’t make real friends at first, you’ll learn some people’s names and you’ll have a few people to say hi to in the halls. , Once you’ve got an idea who you want to meet, it’s up to you.
Take a deep breath, pull up your big boy or big girl pants and start introducing yourself.
Set a goal of meeting at least one new person a day.
Say hello to the person who sits next to you in English class.
Strike up a conversation with the person who has the locker next to yours.
Remember – people like to talk about themselves.
Think of a couple of questions you can ask each person and the conversation will take off almost by itself. , Skype, Facebook, Twitter, texting, email and even the phone can let you stay in touch with old friends.
That’s all good.
But it can also be quicksand.
If you let yourself spend hours and hours communicating with old friends, you’ll make it less likely that you’ll find new ones.
By staying so connected to people who live hours away, you might keep yourself lonely in your own backyard. -
Step 3: Pack a cold lunch on the first day.
-
Step 4: Join in some after school activities.
-
Step 5: Introduce yourself to your new teachers.
-
Step 6: Try to look your best the first day of school.
-
Step 7: Be confident.
-
Step 8: Be honest.
-
Step 9: Talk with the person who sits next to you.
-
Step 10: Smile.
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Step 11: Remember that the new place will give you a new chance.
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Step 12: Get oriented.
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Step 13: Do a little research.
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Step 14: Take the time to assess.
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Step 15: Dress for the group you want to join.
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Step 16: Avoid cafeteria stress the first day.
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Step 17: Introduce yourself to teachers.
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Step 18: Join something.
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Step 19: Take charge.
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Step 20: Keep but don’t retreat to old friends.
Detailed Guide
Walk with your head held high and don't slouch.
If you look confident, everyone will think you're confident.
That's why first impressions are so important.
Just remember not to be overly confident, you don't want to come across as rude or self absorbed.
This way you'll know where everything is.
You also won't be embarrassed because you do not know where anything is. , This way you will be able to get to the lunch room early and won't have to face the embarrassment of having nowhere to sit. , That way you will meet some friends that have the same interests as you.
They may not go to the same school, but they're still friends, right? , They will be glad that you can speak for yourself and will respect you for that.
It may be hard for you but you do not have to do it in the middle of class! , Wear your best outfit (not fancy), and do your hair nice and neat.
Something like a plain shirt and jeans is fine.
Remember, first impressions are important. , This is another first impression thing.
People will respect you for being confident. , If they asked you where you lived, don't lie, tell them the truth.
Don't tell them you live at that White House. , You'll make a friend you sit next to every day. , Smiling is one of the quickest ways of making people like you.
It makes you seem more friendly. , For at least the first day, you’re exotic.
Especially in a school where there isn’t much coming and going, you’re someone special.
Yes, it’s true you left what is familiar.
But the new place is also a new opportunity.
Nobody knows who you are, who you hung out with, or what to expect from you.
If you didn’t quite like who you are or the reputation you had, you have a chance to start over.
If you did like it, you can take that confidence with you and make a big splash. , If at all possible, visit the school before school starts.
It’s hard enough to start over without also getting lost all the time.
Ask your folks to arrange a tour.
Figure out where the principal’s office is and how to get to the library.
Ask for a map of the layout of the school.
No time for this? Well, asking for directions is one way to begin to get to know people. , Get on the Internet and find out about the school.
There’s probably a website.
If there isn’t one for the school, look for the town’s site.
You can find out about sports teams and events.
You can learn what clubs are active and how the teams are doing.
You can even check out what is usually served for lunch. , When you’re lonely, it’s tempting to grab onto whoever grabs you.
But you want to take the time to look things over and figure out who’s who.
As you know, as soon as you start hanging with a particular group, it will be hard to change your mind. , For most teens, clothes are code for who you are.
Wear a clean, neat, but kind of neutral outfit the first day.
Get up in time to shower and do your hair.
Jeans are generally fine as long as they’re clean and not flashy.
Presenting yourself neutrally the first few days gives you time to figure out the informal rules for dress among the students.
Once you’ve got it down, you can dress to fit in with the group you want to accept you. , Pack a lunch so you don’t have to stand in line wondering whether to accept someone’s invitation to join their table or, worse, to have to walk the long mile in front of everyone to an empty table.
Confidently sit on the edge and watch for a few days.
Sit in a way that broadcasts confidence.
You’re not a reject.
You’re taking the time to think about who you’ll choose to be with. , First impressions do matter and you want to make a good one.
Try to get to classes a bit early or to stay a few minutes after class to introduce yourself and to tell them where you’re from.
A few minutes of politeness will get things off on the right foot. , A fast way to get to know some people is to join a team, a club, the band, a service organization, or student activities.
People who share the same interests are likely your kind of people.
Even if you don’t make real friends at first, you’ll learn some people’s names and you’ll have a few people to say hi to in the halls. , Once you’ve got an idea who you want to meet, it’s up to you.
Take a deep breath, pull up your big boy or big girl pants and start introducing yourself.
Set a goal of meeting at least one new person a day.
Say hello to the person who sits next to you in English class.
Strike up a conversation with the person who has the locker next to yours.
Remember – people like to talk about themselves.
Think of a couple of questions you can ask each person and the conversation will take off almost by itself. , Skype, Facebook, Twitter, texting, email and even the phone can let you stay in touch with old friends.
That’s all good.
But it can also be quicksand.
If you let yourself spend hours and hours communicating with old friends, you’ll make it less likely that you’ll find new ones.
By staying so connected to people who live hours away, you might keep yourself lonely in your own backyard.
About the Author
Gregory Cole
Creates helpful guides on DIY projects to inspire and educate readers.
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