I'm very shy. I'm starting high school this year and all of my friends have like 20 upperclassmen that they talk to, text, and hang out with. On occasion I’ll say hi to some in the hallway, but nothing more.

Being a freshman  is a tough transition for most girls, so I can def relate to your shyness. When I entered my freshman year, a bunch of my besties had older sibs and I felt a little left out not knowing many upperclassmen. But it’s great that you’re looking to be more outgoing, and believe me—when there’s a will, there’s a way!

Lucky for you, one of the great things about high school is the many opps to meet new people. Schools tend to mix up different ages in classes—you may have Spanish 2 or Art 1 with juniors. Take advantage of that and try working on an assignment with a friendly older classmate, or just send her a Facebook message asking about the homework. Once you start chatting, see if you have something in common. Both love Twilight? Mark your calendars and make plans to check out the new movie together!

What about clubs? Freshman year is the perfect time to try out all sorts of new activities. Whether it’s Choir, Debate Team, or Environmental Club, the people you meet might not only be older but also share your interests! And what about those seniors you say hi to once in a while? Start there! Add “I really like your shoes!” to your “hi” next time around. It’s a quick exchange but compliments brighten up anyone’s day, and you’ll def leave a lasting impression as a sweetie.

Having older friends is great--they can give you advice and great insight since they’ve been there done that in a lot of situations! But there’s no rush, girlie. Seems like you’ve got a couple great options for meeting upperclassmen, so take advantage of those. The longer you spend in high school, the more people you will meet—and, no worries, some will be older—and the more confident you’ll become. Good luck!

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8/3/2009 7:00:00 AM