Making friends can be easier than you think!

Take a chance

• Say “Hi, how are you doing today?”
• Say “How was your weekend?”

Be Friendly

• Smile and be kind
• Compliment others but not in a fake way (make someone feel good about themselves)
• Stay in touch by texting, calling, etc.
• Don’t talk too much about yourself or be boastful

Be Yourself

• You want people to like you for YOU
• Don’t pretend to be someone you are not

Have Good Listening Skills

• Say ” Oh, that’s interesting” while people are sharing with you
• Ask a question based on what someone just shared with you. It shows that you are interested in what they said.

Add to the Conversation

• Share something related to what they were just talking to you about that
• Add something you may have experienced that was similar or what you know about the subject

Find Ways to Meet People

• Join a school club (You are already guaranteed to have some similar interests)
• Join a sports team
• Attend other school/sporting events (ask someone to join you so you know they will be there)
• Participate in community events
• Invite people over to your house or to go somewhere

Don’t Cause Issues

• Don’t talk about other people
• If someone else is talking about others change the subject
• Don’t use social media to say or agree with anyone saying anything bad about someone
• Don’t involve other kids by saying what someone said about them or what you heard
• If no one continues talking about it hopefully the issue will dissolve before the person even hears anything

Not Sure How to Handle a Social Situation?

• Ask an adult they probably have had a similar experience and may have some suggestion
• Teachers, parents and school counselors can help