How to Make Friends in High School

Transitioning from middle school to high school can be rough. What if most of your middle school friends ended up in a different high school, or what if you move into a new district? Making new friends feels intimidating, but here are a few tips if you want to find people to hang out with.

Join a club or group

High schools are filled with clubs, and most are always looking for new members. Even if you’re not 100% sure about joining, sit in on a meeting or two to try it out.

You can join more than one organization, too. Not only will you meet more people, but you’ll also learn more about your own interests and may want to stay active with an organization in college. Better yet, being active in clubs and groups looks great on a college application and can be a way to get scholarship money for college.

A pro tip: join both a big organization and a small one! The bigger club will have many more people to meet, and starting conversations within a smaller group might be easier. 

Play a sport

Most of us aren’t sports stars. Thankfully, there are plenty of high school teams that play for fun instead of playing competitively. Some high schools have badminton, flag football, or softball teams that are open to everyone – no embarrassing tryouts required! Plus, playing a game together gives you something to talk about, so there’s no need to worry about forcing conversation.

Attend school events

Attending sports events, festivals, social gatherings, and school dances can be a great way to make friends in high school. These events offer a relaxed and fun environment where you can meet new people outside the classroom setting. Plus, they're usually a lot of fun.

Show kindness

It sounds simple, yet being nice is an important part of making friends! People want to surround themselves with positive, friendly peers. Being approachable will not only make others feel more comfortable with you, but it will also boost your confidence and self-esteem.

Ask questions

People love talking about themselves, so ask questions and let them open up. Simple questions before the bell rings, in the lunchroom, or in gym class give you a great opportunity to get to know someone. Don’t overanalyze – just keep it simple. 

Ask someone if they’re new in school, what other classes they’re taking, or what they think of your class together. Then, actively listen and show genuine interest in their lives and experiences.

Volunteer

Volunteering for school events or community projects is a great way to meet new friends while making a positive impact. You'll also find that the people you volunteer with have similar interests and values, which is a huge bonus.

Be open-minded

One benefit of friendship is connecting with people from different walks of life with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Being open-minded allows us to embrace these differences and learn from one another. It's like stepping into a treasure trove of experiences and knowledge that can enrich our lives in ways we never imagined. So, why not approach the process of making friends with an open mind and see where it takes you?

Be patient

Friendships aren’t made overnight – it can take months to get to know someone well and feel comfortable with each other. But please don't become frustrated if you feel like you aren’t progressing. Be patient, because you’ll find your place at school soon enough!

Final thoughts on making friends

It may seem like making friends will be impossible, but after just a couple of weeks, you'll have found your people. Truly, it won't take long if you follow our tips above. And then soon, you'll be moving on to college, where you'll make a new set of friends you'll cherish for life. 

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