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"Freshman year is a bust. How can I make it better?"

You Said:
"I’m feeling really out of the loop these days. Last year, everything seemed so easy with friends and guys, but now everything is totally off. I’m really self-conscious about my looks all the time, my BFF is acting distant, and some of my other friends transferred to private school. This has been a really depressing year so far, but I’m hoping sophomore year will be better -- what should I do in the mean time?"

We Say:
Unfortunately, it sounds like a pretty typical freshman year. Eighth grade can be smooth sailing and then you enter the halls of high school and everything seems to turn upside down. Friends change cliques and everyone’s trying to figure out their own identity. If you’re not loving this year, here are a few ways to make the best of it:

1. Join a club. We know, we know, every guidance counselor would tell you the same, but in this case they’d be right. You’ll meet a whole heap of people interested in the same thing: photography, drama, journalism, whatever.

2. Try to arrange a one-on-one BFF date with your friend. Dragging her away from her new clique might make her realize how much she misses you!

3. Sit somewhere different at lunch. If you’re feeling bored by your lunch crew, find a friend from class to hang out with. Open yourself up to meeting new peeps.

4. Find something that makes you happy. Whether it’s art, writing, music, dance, basketball or skating, work on the skill you’re awesome at.

5. Try out a different style. You don’t have to go from prep to goth, but you’re definitely allowed to play with your look a little. Feel confident to find your personal style.


You Say!