Hi there! I’m Yzanne and I have just finished my entire school career, having just graduated from sixth form.
Having now gone through the 13 years of schooling, it’s safe to say that I’ve had many different experiences, especially like detentions, and losing friends. Honestly, now that I’ve finished, even Year 11 seems to be a blur. School isn’t easy for everyone, so I have a few suggestions and tips for things you should try and do when you start a new school or college to make sure you have a more positive experience!
My first tip would be to say ‘yes’ to everything. Although it might not sound like the pumpkin carving competition is your thing, I’ve made amazing friends through clubs like netball, school plays, cheerleading, dance, gymnastics and languages. It may seem easy to decipher in your mind what you’re going to find interesting, but school clubs might do something completely differently to how you’d expect, or you might find an unlikely friend there – you simply don’t know until you try it. So, my suggestion to you is to really maximise your opportunities especially in Year 7,8, and 9 before education takes priority.
Secondly, if you’re feeling nervous, think to yourself that there’s no time like the present. I still vividly remember my first day of secondary school (induction day in July) – I came from Bramley, the small village school where I only had 9 people in my class, none of whom were going to St Andrew’s like I did. I walked into the canteen and there were tables and tables full of other new kids who were already in their friendship groups from primary school. I don’t know how I summoned up the confidence to do it that day, but I walked to the first table I saw and plonked myself down, saying ‘Do you mind if I sit here?’ and, just like that, I had 7 new friends to hang out with on induction day and when school started properly in September. I’m not friends with any of those people now and I branched out after a few weeks – but it’s just the small push out of your comfort zone that you need.
I was a very confident person, however starting a new school with a hundred odd 11-year-olds can be tricky for anyone, so just try to push yourself and think, what’s the worst that could happen? They’ll say you can’t sit with them; you move to the next table. You might not even remember their names in 5 years, and remember that one bad day does not speak for the rest of your school experience!
On another note, don’t worry if you drift from friends that you make. It’s natural, it’s inevitable, and it’s also vital for your personal growth. Losing and making friends is simply a natural part of school, but also of life. It’s impossible to carry each person from every stage of life with you, and it’s honestly for a reason.
Everyone grows and develops at a different rate, so it’s important that your life around you reflects that. If you feel like your easily irritated because your friends around you are really immature or the opposite way around, maybe it’s a sign that you should branch out and find people who are more on your level. I’ve finished school 3 and a bit months ago, and from my friendship group of 28, I’ve kept in touch with around 6. It does not mean that you hate them – it’s just a part of growing up and moving on!
Finally, I’d recommend bringing your own lunch to school. Canteen food is overpriced. AND PACK IT THE NIGHT BEFORE – I reckon I was running late to school perhaps 60% of the time. Oops!
