<p>While I can't wait to go to school this fall, I am a little worried about making friends. I'm a naturally outgoing person, and I've never had any social problems. But I have a wonderful group of friends here, and I guess I'm a little sad about leaving and afraid I won't become really close with anyone.</p>
<p>I've also been reading the book Prep by Curtis Sittenfield, and the book is loosely based on the author's experience at Groton. The main character literally has NO friends, and I really don't want my high school experience to be like that. Can someone who has entered prep school as a new sophomore tell me how they fit in with their class? This is the only reason I have the faintest shred of doubt in my mind about going to boarding school.</p>
<p>Omg! Same situation and I have been at the same skl for 10 yrs. I have to admit that I dunno how to make friends - -</p>
<p>Really normal to have this worry. Another poster a few weeks ago listed some ideas for starting off well at boarding school (RebelAngel, I think) that had, at least to my mind, some good ideas for making friends. You might want to search that post out. </p>
<p>When you first get to boarding school, everyone wants to make friends and for a period of time there is a lot of nervous energy as little groups form and reform. Stay true to the behaviors that support long term friendships and you’ll do great: if you have nothing nice to say about someone, don’t say it (even if there’s pressure to), be friendly and open to everyone, not just the “perceived popular kids,” put more energy “into a room” than you take out, don’t be a complainer, keep confidences, be the first to lend a hand.</p>
<p>As for making new friends…it’s not any more complicated than knocking on someone’s door and introducing yourself, maybe go to the next meal with them, or wander the campus a bit, whatever feels right.</p>
<p>Hey Bama - no need to worry, you made friends on these boards, so I know you will do fine in “real life”. </p>
<p>Also, just for the record, Curtis most definitely had friends at Groton. We were there at the same time. She was definitely the quiet type, but we played soccer together and she was a lot of fun and very sarcastic & witty. Although that book is based on Groton (the description of the school, etc) & some of her Groton experiences, the storyline is actually based more on the stories/experiences she saw/heard as a teacher at a boarding school (she was a teacher at St. Albans in DC when she wrote Prep). </p>
<p>That being said, I have definitely known kids who were so convinced that they wouldn’t click with anyone that they self segregated themselves and held one person pity parties. In that situation, it’s hard for anyone to get close to you & become your friend. Just be yourself, be open and friendly and you will be fine. Believe it or not, everyone is feeling the same exact way - excited & scared. Be kind to everyone & you’ll soon find amazing friends.</p>
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<p>That’s pretty much what the character, Lee, did in the book. I thought she was a great lesson for how NOT to be. She closed herself off even when it seemed that everyone else was making attempts to befriend her. She had more preconceived notions about others than they had of her.</p>
<p>Another thing you could try is to search out some clubs you think you’ll like. That’s a good way to meet other people who’ll have interests similar to yours.</p>