Well, I don't know much about freshmen, as I'm homeschooled, but my mom has talked a lot about making friends to me, and even though I'm awkward, shy, and not good at it, I can give you some tips. 

~Smile. I know it sounds cheesy, but a smile really does go a long way. If you smile more, people are more likely to think, "Oh, she looks nice. I'll go talk to her." But if you don't smile, sometimes people think, "Oh, she isn't in a good mood. She doesn't wanna be talked to."

~Look for people who don't seem to be talking to anyone or have any friends.

~Make it a point to talk to people. It's hard, I know. But the person you're talking to will most likely feel the same way. Try to think of things to ask people beforehand. Remember, people like to talk about themselves, so ask them questions about them. 

~Be yourself. Don't try to be something you aren't just so people will like you more. You are an awesome person, and people should like you for who you are. 

Like I said, I'm awkward, shy, and horrible at making friends, so I could use some advice too. Sometimes I wonder why real life can't be like the CB. On here I have no problem talking to people and making friends. *sighs*

Top! Poke this thread to the TOP for Biblio!

Even if someone doesn't look like someone you'd get along with, try. 

Additionally, in classrooms, sit at a table with people you don't know. It will be less awkward because it is in class, but it will be a chance to meet new people.

-Though I'm also awkward and shy and haven't made new friends since my schools started, so what do I know? 

Hi there! Well i was in your shoes this time last year. High school is A LOT harder then middle school. Make sure you have enough time to study. Sports are a good way to make friends and to channel your emotions, if you could fit some into your schedual. Make sure you don't put a project off till midnight before it's due! (I say as i'm procrastinating on starting a 400 page book 2 days before its due) Get on your teachers' good side, they tend to pick favorites when it comes to grades *glares at Spanish teacher* Follow the dress code! No need to get called out and sent home on the first day! Oh, and DON'T forget picture day! Also, seniors tend to do end-of-the-year pranks, so be prepared for that. Oh, and homecoming! I went with just my friends last year (two of which left me for SOME BOY), so that's totally fine if you decide to do that. BUT WHATEVER YOU DO YOU HAVTA GO! It's the whole high school experiance! Sometimes there are after parties, stay away from the bad stuff! And the punch, don't drink the punch (well.....unless you want to.....i guess.....) or the brownies, but I guess thats just a Colorado thing so I guess you can if you want. Am I forgeting anything? *thinks for a moment* Well, tell me if I am and I'll share some more!

Okay, I am going into my Junior year but I totally feel like being a Freshman was like yesterday. I didn't go to a big school (I am homeschooled now, but I went to a school of 100 PreK-12), but this advice is fit for anywhere.

For starts, do not worry about dating and bucketloads of friends. I totally feel you for wanting a good sum of friends, and that's good. Just make sure you pick the right crowd, okay? You do not have to agree with everything they do or everything they are, but as long as they let you be you (and you follow the law) then all's good. That tends to be a big trouble in high school for peeps. As for dating, bleh, it's garbage. You won't see these peeps after school (unless you are like the rare few that marry and don't get divorced from high school sweethearts) and it lowers everything. Self-esteem, grades, hobbies, passions for your future. I know how peeps are, and they drop everything being all boy or girl crazy.

Second, be. yourself. please. You are beautiful and fantastic and perfect just the way you are, so don't worry about what others say. Do not worry or care that the popular people are covered in make up following the newest trends. If that's you, then cool, if that isn't, then still cool. Do not let society define who you are.

Third, keep up on your grades. This is the most important thing! Everyone thinks 9th grade is the mess around year where grades won't affect you. But I knew a kid who blew his 9th grade year and graduated late. Way late. So please, do not do that. Put school and family first, always. I promise you, those grades will be worth it in the end. If you want studying tips, I have tons and would be glad to help! 

I wish you the best of luck, and sorry, don't mean to scare you! But it's a lot... yeah... hated my Freshman year. Eww. 

I'm also starting my freshman year, and although I'm homeschooled ... 1. I'm still a little worried about it and 2. I might take classes at the highschool and that freaks me out. I've only ever been in a school a hand full of times and it is kinda frightening to think about taking classes there....

Anyway, I'm sure you'll do great biblio!! Remember that you are a wonderful person, and be yourself and know that no matter who you are there are people in the world that will love you for it. We love you here, I'm sure you will make lots of friends!! 

Seeing as I'm in the same deal as you, I can't really give much advice, but I know you're an awesome person and I know that you will do wonderfully! Try not to think too much about it, and just go in there and show everyone how AWESOME you are!!! <3 

Check it out lads, I'm popping back in! (I posted regularly in like 2011; most likely nobody remembers me.)

Ooh, freshman year. I don't know if my advice is going to be super helpful, considering I'm about to be a senior and have a very small group of friends? But here's my brief guide to high school. 

1. You're not going to be alone. It's hard to start out there, of course. but it is possible. (at both of the high schools I've attended, my closest friend incidentally became the first person I sat next to at lunch, but obviously that's not the route everyone takes.) The thing is though, aside from that tangent, there's NO high school in the world where there's only one person with the interests / values that you have. You're going to be able to find someone, multiple someones, whom you genuinely click with. 

2. A good way to do that is joining clubs oriented around your interests, but that's not the only way - start up conversations in class, etc. Sometimes, it's left to chance - in sophomore year, two girls I got paired with for project partners ended up becoming GREAT friends with me, and they weren't people I had a great deal in common with. So common interests are a great and simple way to start off a friendship, but also don't be worried if there doesn't seem to be anyone who shares them, because there's lots of other paths you can take, and people are more than they appear to be on the surface.

3. I second what everyone else has said about dating - it's all a trainwreck, and regardless of the choices you make, don't let anyone ruin your time over it in any way, because in high school (and in life!) oh boy is it not worth it if it doesn't make you happy.  

4. Freshmen generally get a lot of programs that help them out with being new to high school - buddy programs, icebreakers, etc. Don't be worried if they're not very helpful - sometimes they're not - but they're not just going to throw you in and leave you there - if there's an issue, there's always people you can talk about, and people expect freshmen to be adjusting to a brand new environment. 

5. If your freshman year is disappointing in some way, then that's okay, and it doesn't at all mean that the rest of high school is going to be just like them. I don't know if anyone else has this, but I know that for me personally it takes at least a year to fully adjust to a new environment - in my sophomore year, I found myself far more confident and outgoing. So if there's some things you regret about your freshman year, it's okay - there's still the rest of your time to figure it out. 

6. "It's never too early to start thinking about college" is one of the most stressful things I've ever been told as a person starting high school, and since I doubt you're going to spend your freshman year getting arrested or something, I'll tell you that it IS too early to be WORRYING about college. 

7.  If anyone tells you "high school is the best years of your life", run fast and run far and don't believe them for a moment. Of course, it doesn't have to be the worst years of your life either! All I'm saying is: if you find yourself disappointed by the high school experience, or thinking that you're missing some essential part of it, remember that there is NO essential teenage/high school/whatever experience, and also that, regardless of how much you enjoy it, it's going to get SO much better.