If you like to be active, you might sign up for an ultimate frisbee or field hockey team. If academics are important to you, you could join a debate club or study group.
You might go to your school’s Friday night football game, or stop by the next school dance.
Not everyone is going to respond or be interested, and that’s okay! There could be a million different reasons why someone doesn’t respond, so don’t take it personally. There are always other people out there to connect with.
In the cafeteria, you might ask “Is this seat taken?” or “Can I sit with you?” before sitting down. You could also look for someone keeping to themselves in one of your classes.
You might offer part of your lunch to someone who forgot their lunch money, or offer to deliver homework to a student who missed class.
Bumble BFF and Friender use the same “swipe” and “match” interface that popular dating apps use. If you aren’t a fan of face-to-face introductions, this could be a great option for you.
Search online to see what kinds of improv classes are in your area.
Smiling will also boost your self-esteem so you feel better and more confident.
You could say, “Hi, I’m Trish! I just transferred here. Is this seat taken?”
You might say, “I love your Ocean City sweatshirt! Do you go to the shore often?” You could also say something like, “I absolutely love your nails. Where did you get them done?” Compliments are an easy, stress-free way to strike up a conversation, especially if you’re worried about putting yourself out there.
You could ask, “What’s your favorite TV show?” Then, as a follow-up, say, “I’ve never heard of that one! What’s it about?” You might also chat about what they do in their spare time, or what their favorite class at school is.
For example, you might joke, “With all this homework, I think the only sleep I’ll be getting is on the bus” or “The school cafeteria should be paying us to eat this food. ”
You might comment on a person’s shirt or sweatshirt if it represents a specific sports team.
A fun trick you can use for this is to think of your favorite celebrities. Write down qualities that both you and they possess to help you feel more confident.
Most people belong to certain social groups because their unique personalities and interests fall into a stereotype. For example, someone who is naturally athletic may become a jock in high school while someone who is naturally artistic will fit in with other artistic students. When you are looking for a friend, make sure they are nice and have things in common with you. Don’t be their friend for any superficial reasons, such as popularity or money.
