9 Ways to Make New Friends in High School ...

The first way to make new friends in high school is to be the girl you’ve always wanted to be. So, if you sat in the back row with your arms crossed all through eighth grade, move on up to the front row. And if you’ve had one too many fashion disasters in junior high (guilty as charged), start dressing to impress. This is your time to shine, so go get ‘em, girl!

New clothes are one thing, but if you’re purposefully trying to dress like the “cool” crowd, stop right there. Pretending to be exactly like the seniors on the cheerleading squad won’t get you anywhere. Here’s a little secret: people can see right through those kinds of charades. And if you’re a tomboy at heart, dyeing your hair blonde and wearing pink won’t exactly make you happy. You’ll make positive, lasting friendships when you show off the real you, so what are you waiting for?

Years after graduating high school, I started speaking to girls I never thought I’d get along with. And guess what? I was wrong! Though we have completely different styles, we can chat for hours about everything under the sun. Remember: you have nothing to lose by saying hello.

An effective way to make new friends in high school is to speak your mind. If you stay silent through every class, you'll be as forgettable as the potted plants lining the windows on the second floor. Let those around you see the real you –without shoving your every belief down their throats, of course.

One of the most important ways to make new friends in high school is to join a few clubs, or even start your own. Whether you were born to dance or have a penchant for the written word, there’s a club for you! Don’t know what you’re passionate about yet? Check out some club flyers, attend a few meetings, and take it from there.

Whether it’s a guy you like or a potential new pal, don’t be afraid to be the first to ask for a coffee date or ice cream run. If you’ve been chatting for a few weeks, there’s a great chance you’ll get a yes (and a new friend) in return!

Now that you’re a high school student, the playing field just got a whole lot tougher. While many of your classmates are just as wide-eyed and eager to make BFFs as you are, some of them won’t hesitate to unleash their inner party animal. So, if you’re looking for lasting friendships and not beer-filled escapades, skip the sketchy parties. Can’t avoid that big bash on Saturday night? Fill your cup with soda and gravitate toward those who can form complete sentences without slurring their speech.

Another great way to make new friends in high school is to hit the ‘Net and update your Facebook and Twitter profiles. Talk about your interests and hobbies and add classmates you’ve spoken to. By doing this, others will get a sense of who you are. Though networking with people you know can help you win over some real-life pals, never accept friend requests from people you don’t know and set your profiles to private. Safety should always be your top priority!

One last way to make new friends in high school is to be a do-gooder. Tons of teens volunteer, so by cleaning up a park or tutoring groups of children after school, you’ll meet new people and maybe even make some lifelong buds. So get out there!

High school won’t be all fun and games, but with these 9 tips, you’ll make new friends in no time! Which ones are you going to try first? Do you have any of your own to add?