Because starting at a new school is like starting a new year, a slight makeover can be very good for your future reputation and to help you go in with a good attitude. I don’t mean putting on fake eyelashes and using a tub of hair gel, but making changes before you start. If you can schedule your last day at the old school to be a Wednesday or Thursday, even better—you’ll have an extended weekend to prepare, and possibly even attend a social event (i.e. a play, a sports game) the Friday or Saturday beforehand.
If you’re fortunate enough to have supportive people in your life, talk to a trusted friend, teacher or counselor for advice and encouragement before you switch.
Get a haircut. You probably do this every so often, anyhow, but scheduling a haircut right before you go to a new school starts you off at your best. You can also make a change, if you want.
If you’re into manicures, pedicures, facials, etc... get those the weekend before you start. Clean up your backpack, school supplies and shoes—a damp washcloth is usually enough to do the job, but check online or on tags for cleaning instructions. If your bag or backpack is torn, sew, safety pin or patch it. Wash stand-alone erasers and sharpen pencils. Tape or put stickers on damaged folders. If your shoelaces are worn or dirty, wash or replace them. Again, you’re trying to make a good first impression. People don’t know you, and the first things they learn—or think they’ve learned—are based upon seeing you around school.
Buy your lunch the first day. Standing in line and asking advice on what to order can help you talk to new people. You also avoid the possibility of bringing The Wrong Thing or having The Wrong Bag. Even if you later make one of these mistakes (and remember, those are only mistakes to shallow snobs), you already made a good first impression. If you can’t buy your lunch, bring something very basic and non-weird in a brown paper bag.
If you changed schools due to bullying, avoid talking to classmates about why you switched—at least right away. Get to know people first, before you share too much about your past. People will ask why you changed schools, out of curiosity or to get to know you. If you directly lie, they might not trust you later. If you refuse to say anything, that can lead to rumors as well.
Keep answers short and simple. Here are some possible responses:
· It’s supposed to help me get into a good college or something.
· (shrug) You know how weird parents can be... mine said this was a better school.
· My old school didn’t have (thing new school has) or (other thing school has), so this one is supposed to be better for (something that relates to future goal).
· This school is actually closer to where I live. (Only say this if it’s true.)
· My parents watch too many news specials and think my old school was something out of (popular crime drama).
· This school is supposed to have a much better (elective you’re taking) program.
Are you going to change how you dress? If it’s never been an issue with the bullying, and you like how you look, don’t change it. Of course, if you want to change, go for it. There’s more advice on this later, but the most important thing is to make your wardrobe or appearance look like it’s on purpose.
If you’re fortunate enough to have supportive people in your life, talk to a trusted friend, teacher or counselor for advice and encouragement before you switch.
Get a haircut. You probably do this every so often, anyhow, but scheduling a haircut right before you go to a new school starts you off at your best. You can also make a change, if you want.
If you’re into manicures, pedicures, facials, etc... get those the weekend before you start. Clean up your backpack, school supplies and shoes—a damp washcloth is usually enough to do the job, but check online or on tags for cleaning instructions. If your bag or backpack is torn, sew, safety pin or patch it. Wash stand-alone erasers and sharpen pencils. Tape or put stickers on damaged folders. If your shoelaces are worn or dirty, wash or replace them. Again, you’re trying to make a good first impression. People don’t know you, and the first things they learn—or think they’ve learned—are based upon seeing you around school.
Buy your lunch the first day. Standing in line and asking advice on what to order can help you talk to new people. You also avoid the possibility of bringing The Wrong Thing or having The Wrong Bag. Even if you later make one of these mistakes (and remember, those are only mistakes to shallow snobs), you already made a good first impression. If you can’t buy your lunch, bring something very basic and non-weird in a brown paper bag.
If you changed schools due to bullying, avoid talking to classmates about why you switched—at least right away. Get to know people first, before you share too much about your past. People will ask why you changed schools, out of curiosity or to get to know you. If you directly lie, they might not trust you later. If you refuse to say anything, that can lead to rumors as well.
Keep answers short and simple. Here are some possible responses:
· It’s supposed to help me get into a good college or something.
· (shrug) You know how weird parents can be... mine said this was a better school.
· My old school didn’t have (thing new school has) or (other thing school has), so this one is supposed to be better for (something that relates to future goal).
· This school is actually closer to where I live. (Only say this if it’s true.)
· My parents watch too many news specials and think my old school was something out of (popular crime drama).
· This school is supposed to have a much better (elective you’re taking) program.
Are you going to change how you dress? If it’s never been an issue with the bullying, and you like how you look, don’t change it. Of course, if you want to change, go for it. There’s more advice on this later, but the most important thing is to make your wardrobe or appearance look like it’s on purpose.