Being a teenager and going through school is all about finding out who you truly are, and where you belong. The best way to do this is with the right group of friends, but that is easier said than done. When you are that new nervous freshman at the school, all you want to do is look cool, fit in, and be invited to the coolest parties. You go through the "trying to be popular phase," and most of the time you come to the realization that you just aren't happy. You don't feel like you can be yourself around that crowd, and you are constantly nervous to open up. That should be a huge red flag right there. Stop. Seriously, stop trying to be cool, and start being happy. Here are a few tips on how to find your true group of friends throughout high school, and hopefully a lifetime.
Put the preppy, uncomfortable clothes away and break out the norts (Nike shorts) and t-shirts.
If you cannot be comfortable around your so-called friends, then they are not truly your friends. There are those special occasions where you will all want to get dressed up and go out to dinner (or pig out on cake), but get used to seeing each other at your worst. You do not have to dress in a special manner to try and impress a group of people because if you are doing that just to try and be their friend, you will be uncomfortable for the rest of the friendship. Trust me, there will be a large amount of all-nighters together, and eventually they will see you without makeup. So go ahead and find those people who accept you for who you are, and take that mask off early.
You don't have to be friends with the popular girls.
I know the first group you want to target to be friends with is the popular group, maybe with hopes of the star quarterback finally noticing you, or maybe to get invited to the hottest party, but you don't need to be in the popular group to be happy and enjoy high school. Coming from a girl who went through the whole "try to fit in with the popular group phase," it definitely was not worth it. If you have to pretend to be someone you're not to try and fit in with a group, you are going to be miserable and exhausted by the end of high school. So take my advice and skip the fake popularity stage, and hey, the star football player still might ask you out.
Sing at the top of your lungs, and see how they react...
If they do not jump in and start singing with you, then they are not the friends for you. Now, this doesn't just apply to singing. If you are doing something that makes you happy, but might be looked at as "uncool," and your so-called "friends" judge you for it, then they are not true friends. Find the people who support your weird hobbies, and sometimes even try them with you. Even if you are the worst singer in the world, they better join in, at least for the chorus.
The friends you make in high school may end up being your bridesmaids in your wedding, so pick them wisely. Make sure they accept you for who you are, and that you don't have to be someone you aren't around them. So ask that girl sitting alone at lunch if she wants to hang out, and she may turn out to be the coolest person you know. When I walked into high school my freshmen year, I went through my faking it stage to try and be friends with the popular crowd, but then I found my true group of friends and realized no other group of people understands me as well as these four girls. So branch out, meet new people, and embrace your true self throughout the whole friendship-making process.
