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MAKING FRIENDS​

It is daunting to some people going to a bigger school as there are so many new people you will meet. The thought of so many new people can be scary although this just means more people means more friends! As there will be more people in your new school, you are likely to find a wider group of friends that share the same interests as you and complement your personality. Here are some tips about how to break the ice and build friendships with new people.

 

BREAK THE ICE

It is sometimes the hardest thing to do so it’s great to have a few ways you can break the ice and start a conversation. Here are a few hints:

• Asking a few questions about someone and their life is a good way to show that you're interested and want to connect with them. You could ask someone about a film, TV programme or musician that you think they might like. Try to ask them questions which lead to more than just a “yes” or “no” answer – this way it is more likely that you will get into a conversation with them.

• Everyone likes getting a compliment. Saying something nice can be a great way to start building a friendship with someone.

 

GET OUT THERE

Sometimes when we get into a routine of doing the same things, it can be hard to make new friends so starting a new school and changing your daily routine is the perfect opportunity to help you meet new people. It might also build your confidence a bit, which is really important when it comes to making friends. You could:

• Take a different way home to walk with new people, if it’s safe to do so.

• Join a club or do extracurricular activities to meet people with similar interests.

•  If you see someone having lunch on their own, why not go over and sit with them? You could ask how their day is going and start a conversation about what you both like to do at the weekend.

 

USE YOUR BODY LANGUAGE

When we communicate with other people, we mostly do it using words. However, what our body is doing while we talk is really important too. We may not always notice what we’re doing, but our body language says a lot to other people.

If you look bored or anxious when you’re talking to someone, the other person will probably notice. Using positive body language can really help when making friends.

For example, when you’re talking to someone you should:

• Smile.

• Make sure you speak clearly and confidently. 

• Look people in the eye.

• Try not to cover your mouth with your hands when you speak.

 

AND REMEMBER:

You can have different types of friends. Some friends are good for having a laugh with or doing your favourite hobby with. Other friends can be there for you when you want to pour your heart out.

 

The number of friends you have isn’t important. What matters is having friends that you’re close to, who can support you and care about what is best for you.

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These tips might not work straight away. You may have to try them a few times. If something doesn’t work for you, try to think about different things you can try. It can feel very scary going up to someone for the first time, but the more you do it the more confident you can feel.