Nervous About Starting High School? Here’s 1 Simple Tool 2 Get U Thru

“Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day.”  – Quoted in P.S. I Love You, compiled by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. 

I remember how nervous I felt about starting high school. Would I have classes with the friends I knew? Would I meet new friends? Who would I sit with for lunch? Did we have to take showers after gym? (That might have been the most frightening question and no, we didn’t.) Even though I knew deep down that it would be fine and that millions of others have gone through the same thing, it was still scary.

Fortunately for you, I have the one tool that will help you on your first day and it’s really easy.

Smile.

I know, I know. It sounds silly and you might be rolling your eyes but bear with me.

Everyone is nervous on the first day whether they admit it or not but some may be more nervous than others. Imagine how much better you can make someone feel just by smiling at them. In most cases people will smile back and that will most certainly make you feel less nervous too.

A smile tells people “Hey, I’m friendly and approachable!” and it will also make you seem and feel more confident. Before you know it, a smile starts a conversation and the person sitting next to you in the cafeteria becomes a friend and is no longer a stranger.

Try it before you start school if you don’t believe me. Smile when you pass someone on the street or in a store. Smile at the barista who hands you your coffee. Smile at your parents (which might make them nervous so be careful about this!) Then, on your first day of school, smile at the new people you meet and watch strangers transform into friends.