High school is bad enough when you’re in it. But when you finally understand the rules and learn to make your way around school, your parents spring the news of the move on you. You had finally made a group of friends who actually liked you for who you are, as opposed to those who hung out with you because you have good taste in shoes; or worse…because you picked good lunches. Moving to a whole other school is no doubt a scary, frightening experience. It’s not always easy to readjust and move out of your comfort zone. But when you have to do it, you have to do it and you can make the best of it. Here is what you should think about:

You hate your parents and you’re probably considering selling your family for a pair of shoes right now, but understand that your parents don’t hate you and that they’re definitely not out to ruin you. The move is as hard on them as it is on you, so you need to be there for them too.

The first day of school is something that most teenagers have nightmares about. Especially if you’re “the new kid.” But fear not! This move can lead to better things for you. For example, you can completely reinvent yourself. Take part in activities or clubs that you never thought of taking part of at your previous school. Be adventurous and wear clothes that you’ve always secretly wanted to wear but didn’t in your old school, because you were expected to dress a certain way. Make friends with a different clique. Another great thing is that nobody in your new school knows any of your deep dark embarrassing secrets. You can finally move on from being “that girl who came dressed up as an ‘oompa-loompa’ for a party whose theme was casual” to whom you are, at the core. While nobody can take the place of your best friends from your old school, you can definitely become friends with people who are more similar to you or think the way you think.

Remember that moving to a new school is stressful and a lot of times it becomes difficult to cope with the pressure. So, keep in touch with your friends from your previous school. They’re the ones who can really help you through this time. Don’t be hesitant in calling them up and ranting about how everything is so different. They’re your friends and they’d be glad to be there for you.

Though being a new kid is a hard, extremely awkward and an altogether strange experience, it’s easier to fit in and to make new friends. All you need to do is remember these two words- be yourself. You might want to act in a different way due to your quest to reinvent yourself, but behaving like something you are not, will glare through everything you do. Most people won’t appreciate that. It’s also important to be friendly and approachable. Strike up conversation with whoever is sitting next to you, or someone you meet, but at the same time, don’t be too eager. Try to find people who match your personality type.

These are just a few ways to look at what feels like a dismal situation. So, don’t be down anymore. For all you know, you could have the best experience of your life, the best of friends and the best of education. So stay positive and go show those people in your new school that you’re a force to be reckoned with.