Starting a new school. Don't know anybody. Help!?

Question

I'm 13-years-old and I'm starting a new school soon. I don't know one person, the years already started, and everybody will of settled in by now. I suffer with anxiety disorder and lately I've been super on edge because I'm so nervous! I'm good at hiding my nerves, except sometimes I shake uncontrollably. I'm also very paranoid. I don't know if I'll be able to cope with everybody staring and talking about me. I'm also petrified I'll not make any friends. I know it could take weeks to make a friend but I'm petrified of being by myself.

I went to a really good school before this one. It had a reputation of being the best in my city (a big city) as well as being a Catholic school. It was very small and everybody knew each other. No bullying that I knew of. This new school has got what you might call a bad reputation. It's got a huge number of students and it's in one of the 'poorer' areas of town (I'm not a snob). My parents aren't happy about sending me here but it's the only school they can get me into. I've not been to school since before summer when we moved.

Any advice or tips? I'm getting help for my anxiety disorder so please don't bring that up. Also, please don't suggest going to another school because that isn't possible.

Answer 1

I started a new school this year and it was absolutely awful. I've made a few friends, but I transitioned from a small private school to a large public school. It is extremely cliquey and the girls are just horrid; I hate it. Honestly, don't go into your new school with high expectations. I had a lot of friends at my old school and they told me people would come up and talk to me and be nice to me; they were so wrong. People automatically hated me and stereotyped me as a b*tch (ironic coming from them because they are all bitchy).



You'll be alright if you can cope with a few friends. I'm a very social person so it is agony for me to only interact with the same three or four people daily. Again, you'll be fine, but don't go in there thinking you'll automatically make friends. Smile and be friendly too, but not too friendly or you'll be made fun of.

Answer 2

I think you need to suck it up. When I was your age I went to China and did schooling there. Out of over 500 kids I was the only one with blonde hair. They spoke a little English but it was still a Chinese school and I made friends. I have also been to French school (where their English was worse) and made heaps of mates. People will like you no matter where you go. As long as you are friendly and nice and treat people the way you would like to be treated you should be alright. My school is a 'snob school'. There is crap loads of bullying but meh we just learn to live with it. Just be nice to people and treat them with respect and you will find friends. If you want to 'fit in' then you have to begin to copy people but meh it's over rated to try and fit in. I am one of the wierdest girls in my grade cause I don't wear make up and I like horror novels more than Gossip Girl and Glee (bleh). Be yourself honey and you will do fine :) Hope this helps

Answer 3

Think of how others may feel, which is exactly the same. Show them that you're better and able to control your emotions to an extent :3