Imagine being in the hallway of a crowded school. The bell is ringing and countless students are changing in between classes. The noise of conversation and the smell of freshly sharpened pencils fill the air. You're new in town and this is your first day at school. Because of the fact that you don't know anyone yet (except the principal), you're instantly overcome with feelings of fear and nervousness. You're afraid that you won't fit in, someone will make fun of your hair, or you'll just simply embarrass yourself by saying the wrong things. Everyone has had a moment where they're not really sure about how they'll succeed in a new environment. Even adults feel this way sometimes. But with the following suggestions, you'll know just what it takes to achieve in a new surrounding.

1.) Join a team or volunteer! By swallowing your fears and taking a chance, you'd be surprised at all the possibilities that can occur by doing extracurricular activities. You'll make friends, contribute to your school's overall success, and increase your confidence along the way. Volunteering also does wonders and it looks really good on college applications as well. Participating in extracurricular activities is an excellent way to make friends and become active in your school. As a matter of fact, this relates to an article I've written on the importance of extracurricular activities. The link to this article can be found under "Related Links" at the bottom of this screen.

2.) Smile and be nice! Even though you might feel afraid to speak to others, it's important to remember that being a nice person goes a long way. When you show people that you are friendly, it tells them that you are a good person who gets along well with others. Encourage yourself to be the first one to talk to people. It's quite possible that they are just as nervous around others as you are, so make them feel comfortable and be the first to speak up.

3.) Be a good listener! When you show people that you are a good listener, it shows them that you genuinely care about what they are saying. Showing another person that you are concerned with everything that goes on in their life assures them that you are as authentic as solid gold. This is yet another way to make friends in a new environment.

4.) Be trustworthy! Nobody likes a gossiper or someone who stabs them in the back. Would you like someone to tell your most forbidden secrets to the entire world? Of course not, so it isn't wise to do it to someone else. It's the golden rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. When someone trusts you completely it's something that shouldn't be taken lightly. Trust is something to be cherished and nourished, and showing others that you can be trusted is essential to making new friends.

5.) Choose your friends wisely! Stay away from relationships that are unhealthy. By surrounding yourself with people with positive attitudes and goals, you are setting the foundation for a better life for yourself. It's important to find friends who have the same values as you as well.

6.) Get hip with social media! Sites like Twitter and Facebook have completely taken over just about every aspect of society, forever changing the way we arrange meetings, conduct business, and interact with family and friends. These social networking sites, even though they are fairly new, are effective methods for fully utilizing basic human communication. With more and more teens using these sites just about every second of every day, it would be wise to start your own Facebook or Twitter account to connect with possible friends. Just remember to use these sites safely and wisely!

7.) Don’t give up! There's a first time for everything, and there are always times where you don't feel like you're going to make it! That's why it's important to remember that good things come to those who wait. Also, you must be patient because sometimes these things take time.

8.) Be yourself! This is THE MOST important factor when adjusting to a new environment. You must stay true to who you are and be confident. By staying true to yourself and your own beliefs, you are showing the world that you are an individual who is proud of who they are. This kind of confidence is like a magnet. It will attract all kinds of people into your life, and these people could possibly turn into new, lifelong friends. Simply put, you cannot live a genuine life if you yourself are not genuine.

In conclusion, staying true to who you are and simply being a good person is essential to making friends in a new environment. When you do these things with the utmost confidence, you will see that it is easy to succeed when you are faced with difficult challenges in an unknown place.