Many students find the first day of school a scary experience! Even if other students seem to know what to do, remember that you are not alone. As a new student, it's normal to be nervous about the first day of school. Work on this by making a good first impression, getting to know your classmates, participating in school activities, and seeking information about the new school.
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Method 1 of 3: Making a Good Impression
Step 1. Make a plan from one day in advance
Reduce stress when getting ready for school in the morning by preparing your study needs one day in advance. Decide what clothes to wear, prepare lunch, and put all study equipment in a backpack. By making good preparations, you can get a good night's sleep and feel calmer for the first day at a new school.
Step 2. Choose the most appropriate clothes
Prepare clothes that best suit your personality and make you feel confident. You can wear clothes that are different than usual, but appropriate for school. For example, wear a new shirt instead of a faded shirt. Make sure you wear clean and neat clothes. Get up early so that you have time to shower, brush your teeth, comb your hair, and apply makeup (for young women) before going to school.
- If a uniform is not required, wear a shirt or jacket with a picture of your favorite artist, musician, or athlete. This way, it will be easier for you to find friends based on common interests, open conversations, and lighten the mood.
- If you must wear a uniform, make sure it is the right size. If allowed, wear accessories that reveal your personality. For example, apply nail polish in your favorite color or wear a belt with the logo of your favorite team.
Step 3. Try to calm yourself down and be positive.
Nervousness and anxiety are common for new students. Breathe deeply to overcome it. Remember that at this time, all your friends are new students and this is no big deal. If you're still worried, listen to calm or happy music. Imagine you are having a great first day at school, instead of thinking about bad things.
Step 4. Use body language that conveys confidence
Don't enter school with your head down, shoulders hunched, and eyes on the floor. Walk with your chin up, back straight, and a cheerful face. Make eye contact with the other person and smile when they look at you or talk to you.
If you are shy, imagine that you are a confident person who smiles and appreciates yourself so that you feel more energized
Step 5. Introduce yourself to the teacher and classmates
Don't be afraid to be yourself. Everyone at the new school wants to get to know each other. So, don't be shy about introducing yourself to the teacher, the student sitting next to you, and anyone else who looks at you or chats with you. To lighten the mood, start a conversation by greeting a new friend, "Hi, I'm Kartika!"
If you don't like being the center of attention, ask questions to find out more about other people. This will distract from you and be an opportunity to meet new friends at school
Step 6. Be nice to everyone
Be a smile and friendly person to everyone you meet. Make a positive impression and show that you enjoy making friends. Try to get to know everyone without making assumptions or judging. Distinguish between rumors and facts. Treat everyone with kindness and courtesy.
Step 7. Participate in class
Show the teacher that you are a good student by being directly involved in the lessons. Raise your hand, answer the teacher's questions, and ask for an explanation if there is material that you don't understand. If you feel reluctant to participate in class, ask the teacher to explain after the lesson.
- Raise your hand and ask a question. For example, "Sir, was this story inspired by Shakespeare?"
- If you prefer to ask questions after class, tell the teacher, "I feel free to ask questions during class. I really liked today's text because it gave me a new understanding that a person's ideas can change over time."
Method 2 of 3: Making New Friends
Step 1. Invite a new friend to chat
Even if you find it awkward to start a conversation with a new friend, remember that you can't make friends if you keep quiet. So, set a goal to get to know 1 new friend every day. Start by greeting a classmate you don't know. The next step, open a conversation with a friend sitting next to you before class starts or while resting. In the end, you can chat with everyone in the new school!
- Ask questions about lessons or school if you are confused about where to start. If you're not used to having conversations with new friends, ask the question, "What pages should we read today?" or "Have you chosen extracurricular activities?"
- Find out if you have a common interest and then use it as a topic of conversation. For example, "Your jacket is cool. I'm a rock fan too."
Step 2. Have a chat with the classmate sitting next to you
An easy way to start a conversation is to talk to the friend sitting next to you. During breaks, comment on the material just explained or ask his opinion about the new school. Since many people like to talk about themselves, start the conversation by talking about something you like or admire about a friend. For example, "Your shoes are cool!" or "Great! You can explain the theory of gravity smoothly."
Step 3. Find a group of friends who have similar interests and ask to join
For example, find friends who wear the logo of your favorite band, have similar tastes in music, and do activities that interest you. Hang out with them during recess or during school activities. Don't worry, common interests make them happy to be friends with you!
For example, if you hear a group of friends wearing basketball team jackets discussing last night's game, say, "I'm a basketball fan too! I watched the game twice a week while I was still living in Jakarta. Can I join?"
Step 4. Invite classmates to be friends on social media
Take advantage of all the social media that you often use to make friends with your classmates. Don't be shy because this is normal! You don't need to message everyone. Making friends through social media is a way of starting conversations and building friendships.
Start by "liking" something a friend uploads. If you want to leave a comment, write, "I love your shoes!" or "Wow, that's really cool!"
Step 5. Get involved in school activities as soon as possible
Joining a club or team is a great way to find friends who share your interests. You may be able to join in at any time in some activities, but sports or arts clubs usually provide opportunities for students to explore. If you want to procrastinate, make sure you always watch a match, practice, or performance to get to know the students and seniors involved in the activity.
- If you don't know what activity or club you want to join, sign up for a few activities and choose the one you like the most.
- Offer to volunteer if you're not ready to join anytime soon. For example, as a new student, you may not be able to attend the show because you have to wear a stage costume, but you can offer to sell tickets or set the stage.
Step 6. Watch games and school events
To quickly adjust to a new school, attend sporting events, tournaments, art shows, and other activities. Don't stay at home imagining what your friends are doing. Go see for yourself! Even if you feel awkward because it's your first time here and you don't know many friends, attending school activities is very useful for making new friends. Invite friends to chat who seem friendly and fun. Make the most of your time by making as many friends as possible and having fun.
Step 7. Find someone who appears to be alone
If you're feeling shy about starting a conversation with a new friend or joining a club, find someone who looks like they're going through the same thing. Get to know someone who sits alone or is quiet while attending school activities. Maybe he's also looking for a friend.
- Don't just walk up to him and introduce yourself. Start by making eye contact and smiling whenever you pass him. After some time, you can invite him to chat.
- Start the conversation with a compliment, for example, "Your jacket is great!" or commenting on the surroundings, "It's so noisy in here!"
Step 8. Be positive and be patient
Don't despair if you are not a popular student in school after 1 week. For new students, this condition may feel very burdensome because they have to adjust, especially if you are shy. Write positive things about the new school including the little things, for example, lots of good food in the cafeteria or lots of extracurricular activities.
Maintain good relations with old friends so that you feel better prepared to be a new student. If you're feeling upset or lonely, text or call an old friend for a chat
Method 3 of 3: Getting to Know a New School
Step 1. Search the internet for information about the new school
So that you don't get lost and confused on the first day, find out various things about the new school via the internet. School websites usually provide a guide, a list of important locations, or a map of the school. If there's an online map, print it out or download it on your phone so you can use it as directions so you don't have to ask.
Step 2. Make a visit to the school
Ask by phone if you can visit before school starts. Use the map to locate restrooms, gyms, canteens, and libraries. You can also search for classrooms if there is already a lesson schedule.
Step 3. Email the teacher
Getting to know the teacher before school starts can reduce anxiety for the first day. Email your teacher introducing yourself and asking about the class schedule he teaches, especially if you're in the middle of the school year.
- You may write a letter, "Dear Mr. Tanto, first of all I would like to introduce myself. My name is Teresa. I have just moved from Jakarta and would like to seek information about subjects at a new school. Monday next week?"
- If you can't email the teacher, introduce yourself on the first day of school!
Step 4. Find out if there are people you already know at the new school
If you change schools in the same city or return to a location you used to live in, there may be schoolmates you already know! Find out about students at a new school through social media or ask friends and relatives if they know someone who will attend the same school.
Step 5. Choose the club or team you are interested in
School websites usually feature lists of clubs, teams, and sporting events. Find out if there is a school activity you are interested in and then email the coach or school principal to ask if you can join. Look for statistics or videos to find information about matches, tournaments, shows, and other events that have been held at the new school.
Step 6. Ask for help if needed
Don't be afraid to ask for help if there are things you don't understand. Ask your teacher, administrator, or guidance counselor. Ask for help if you're having trouble finding a classroom, doing homework, or having trouble at school. You can also ask for advice from friends. A friend whose locker is next door to yours may be able to tell you how to open a locker door that is problematic. So, don't be shy about asking.
