Secondary school is about entering a whole new social world, full of possibilities. Try to see it as an opportunity to meet many wonderful people who may become good friends over the next four or more years, or even friends for life.Try this:each day at your new school make a point of talking to at least 2 new people in your year group. Find something easy to say to them, maybe at morning or break. Find out a little bit about them –what they enjoy, what they are looking forward to most at school.At the end of the first week you will have met 10 new people.At the end of the first month you will have met 40 new people.All of these people will remember you and may be looking out for you at the start of each day.They will remember you for taking the first steps towards friendship. One or two of these may become very good friends, maybe even friends for life.
Often the most difficult part of the school day is the less organized part, when you have no teachers to guide you or tell you what to do. Break times and lunch periods can be lonely times when you are new and only just getting to know other people.Remember that other people will be feeling just as you do.Be aware of people who may not have your good social skills and be shy about talking to people they don’t know well. Look out for people you think may be lonely, or sad, or worried.Try this:think about other people, as well as yourself.Try to make a difference to someone’s life each day, by smiling, saying hello, helping someone find their way to the tuck shop or giving them advice.As soon as you feel confident about doing something new, share your skills with someone new.
For some people the move to secondary school is made more challenging because of difficulties they have had at primary school, either with learning, or with getting on with people and making friends, or for many reasons.Think about the new school as a chance for a totally new start.Try this:Think about what you would like to achieve at your new school.Give yourself 3 goals to work towards in your first term.These may be –I would like to make 4 new friends ;I would like to get good marks for my homework;I would like to be chosen for a sports team.
Other people will make an impression of you, for better or worse, within just a few moments of meeting you. You will do the same about other young people you meet, and also about your new subject teachers.That is something all people do instinctively. It is called ‘first impressions’. Partly, on this basis, we decide whether to get to know someone more, or to not bother.
All secondary schools work hard to make sure that young people can enjoy some life outside of school and do not spend all their evenings studying. Try hard to follow the advice given, and to work out a sensible routine at home. Don’t play catch up, thinking that you will do the homework the next night, or the next.
Have a wonderful time.Remember, this time in your life will only happen once. Make the most of every day!