<p>Freshman year I was very quiet, I really didn't get outside of my box and was fairly shy. I hardly had any friends, so I felt like a loner. Sophomore year, I became a little bit more talkative but was still somewhat of a loner. Junior year, I finally started to become myself and was more talkative and friendly, but by this time people had already established their social circles and it was hard to break through. Now its, senior year and I have had no good memories of high school and I don't want to be a person to look back and say "Oh, I wish I did this" and blah blah blah. </p>
<p>A big part of the problem was that, my parents were always constantly on me about my grades, but I get straight A's. Therefore, I was hardly able to hang out with friends when I rarely got the chance. </p>
<p>I remember hearing my dad talk about high school and his friends and stuff, and it sounded like he had a good time with nice relationships. But I never experienced that. Hell, I don't even think I'll go to prom this year.</p>
<p>You should get out more. Making a few really good friends is better than having a circle of many “friends”. Honestly, there are four to six really good high school buddies I ever want to see again. Everybody else was too drama-oriented and immature. I can see that these four friends will remain in my close friends circle even as I progress over the next few years. Those people you see in high school who are “BFF” aren’t gonna remember each other in 30 years. It s high school, for crying out loud. Relationships don’t really start to develop until college.</p>
<p>^^^Yes, I know I should get out more. But the problem is that my parents are always wanting me to study. Its all about SATs and tests for my classes. </p>
<p>I just want some experience making some good friends in high school, so then I can feel comfortable socializing in college.</p>
<p>Making friends in high school isn’t like making friends in college at all. When you’re on your own, it’s easier to reach out and meet new people. You just turn to the person sitting next to you, say hi, and initiate conversation about the class maybe. There is so much drama in high school that you have not missed out on much.</p>
<p>Hmmm maybe just try to be social in class and hopefully hang out with new acquaintances at lunch? I get what you mean about having trouble tapping into new cliques, but if there are new students at your school and you reach out a hand it might be a great opportunity to make a new friendship. It seems (at least at my school) that every year a few groups have falling outs, so that could also be a good time to socialize.
If you join an EC you can have parent approved time outside of school with a bunch of new people who in all likelihood will become your close friends (just make sure your parents understand how important the activity is for college).</p>
<p>You aren’t alone, as I never talked to anyone in 9th grade. I never made eye contact with others because I always felt like people were judging me when they looked at me. I would basically try to avoid most people at school.</p>
<p>I got out of the phase somewhere in early 10th grade, but still haven’t fully recovered my social setback, but am significantly better now with some focus on personal hygiene, working out and better clothing style. :D</p>
<p>In all honesty, I was kind of the same way.
My freshman year, I was a major loner and honestly had no care for grades.
My sophomore year, I decided to step it up. Better grades, plus I decided to be myself.
My junior year, I could honestly care less. My parents began nagging me about taking my SATs and forced registration upon me although I was unprepared. I received an utterly terrible score.
I’m going into my senior year. I don’t really care about being social anymore as much as I care about my grades. Fun can wait. I’m more towards concentrating on my future.</p>
<p>Being social in high school isn’t all that great. It isn’t everything though. I can tell you, once I’m in college, I’m pretty sure I want nothing to do with my high school class. I don’t necessarily hate them, but as stated earlier in the thread by someone else, it is too much drama.
If you want to be more social, maybe take up a few extracurriculars that interest you (you probably already do this). A sport is a good way to stay occupied but don’t let your grades suffer from it (I play Ultimate Frisbee which doesn’t require much time taken off from my studies).
Lastly, high school isn’t really a place to reflect on how far you’ve come or how much fun you had along the ride. In college, you’ll surely make a circle of friends that you’ll keep. I know that from watching my older brother grow up in front of my own eyes.
Good luck in your endeavors.</p>
<p>Yeah, playing a varsity sport is a great way to make friends, as there’s a sense of brotherhood among athletes. High school sports aren’t that much burden on academics - I played two varsity sports and managed to graduate valedictorian.</p>
<p>Try making friends with some of the underclassmen! They appreciate relationships with older students because they get more advice. Plus, you’ll have more people in the stands cheering you on at graduation Oh, and they’re a guaranteed yes for prom ;)</p>
<p>^^^Well the problem was that I did play football for 3 years. I played it because I loved the sport but I didn’t really care for the “typical” jocks and they were mostly the party crowd. I really didn’t find many friends from football. I’m not playing this year because it takes up way too much time.</p>
<p>Honestly, OP, I wouldn’t worry about this. I think the main social aspect of high school is that you should be able to grow socially, learn how to talk to people, and learn how to make friends, which you seemed to have done junior year. most high school friendships don’t last and social groups break up when everyone goes off to college.</p>
<p>Let me just say this.
I chose to study hours and hours and I personally want to do well on my SATs.
And even if your parents are ‘constantly nagging you’ I think it’s a lot of what you want as well. I don’t know anyone who gets all As who doesn’t at least kind of want it for themselves.
With that said myself and an awful lot of CC manage good grades and several ECs. So I think using the fact that ‘you get good grades’ as an excuse for not socializing isn’t fair.
Now that I’m done being a jerk do some ECs, talk to people and remember that this is only 4 years</p>
<p>Let me tell you my story: I really never had parents that were really pushy on that sort of stuff. Their outlook was, “Do the best that you can do.”
So I did my best with only my own motivation. I am like you on the studying aspect: I do study for hours a day, for both classes and SAT’s, and as of now I am the Val at my school. However, I do ec’s that I am really passionate about, academic focused and not, and that I have made great friendships through. I have a pretty decent social life, party every other weekend, and have a steady boyfriend. So it’s possible to have it all, studying doesn’t have to encompass your whole life. </p>
<p>My advice to you, op, if you really want to enjoy your last year of high school with others, join a club perhaps that you have passion in, and that your seemingly strict parents approve of. You will find people that have the same likes as you do and perhaps friendships can blossom from those people.</p>
<p>Otherwise, wait till college. Like someone already said, it’s easier to make friends out on your own. I wish you the best OP!</p>
<p>Just join a couple of school clubs and find a couple people you can get close to. I wasn’t really talkative during my first year of High School but I found out you can make good friends just by being yourself.</p>
Oh, and they’re a guaranteed yes for prom ;)</p>