Making new friends

MALACHI:

Before I started high school, I wasn't sure if I was going to make new friends.

"My dad changed jobs so we had to move to a completely different place."

"I'm a bit nervous about starting high school."

Starting secondary school is scary enough, but doing it in Scotland made it a very difficult change.

"Sports are a good way to make friends because you'll find people that enjoy the same things as you."

JAMIE: When I first saw Malachi, he was at the side, so me and my friends decided no one should be left out on the first day. So I decided to go over and make friends with him.

MALACHI:

My advice if you're struggling to make friends would be: join a club.

It doesn't have to be a sports club because not everybody enjoys sports.

Be yourself, because there will always be somebody that wants to be friends with you.

And always walk in with a smile.

JAMIE: If you're nervous to ask someone to get involved, personally I would say just give it a try — because you never know, they might want to join, they might not, but you'll never know if you don't ask.

LIBBY:

When I was in Year Six, I had obviously all my friends, but when I was starting Year Seven, I was really nervous because nobody in my school was going to be in my form.

"When I first walk into my Tutor Group, I'm going to be by myself, I won't be with my friends."

I think anybody would worry about leaving your friends behind.

My worst nightmare to go to Conyers would be not having any friends.

"Oh I might have it later."

LIBBY'S GUARDIAN: Not feeling like eating?"

TEACHER

"Welcome to Conyers."

"Who’s nervous? Hands up."

LIBBY

When I started secondary school, it was very overwhelming and I definitely had a few tough times.

One of the really difficult things I did was doing a presentation in Year Seven in front of all of my form.

TEACHER: "Libby, if you don't want to do it that's entirely up to you, we're not going to force you." It’s important…

LIBBY: I definitely found it difficult because it was something I’d never done before, in front of people that I didn’t really know that well. "If I was with my friends then…"

TEACHER 2: "…You would be a little bit more confident."

LIBBY: "…Confident." "It's because I’ve only just made friends with these girls."

TEACHER 2: "And they're lovely girls in our class." "Are we going to be confident and go in?"

LIBBY: "Yes."

TEACHER 2: "Yes."

LIBBY:

I'm so glad that I did kind of be pushed in there and be on my own, because I made loads of different friends and I always think that's best.

If you're worried about making new friends in Year Seven, then here are some of my tips:

I would always say be friendly, be smiley.

Just make yourself have an approachable presence.

Put yourself out there to speak to new people.

Especially when you are in Secondary, you’re put on different tables — make sure you speak to people and don't just keep yourself to yourself.

MALACHI: Starting secondary is always scary, but you'll make friends if you are yourself.

LIBBY: You definitely will make new friends if you are just happy, smiley, kind of put yourself out there to make new friends and speak to everybody really.