3 . How to Make Friends at a New School

Starting with a new school can be difficult. Everything seems to be different, and you don’t even know where to go for your own classes.     1     However, if you use these skills, you can quickly turn some of those strangers into friends.

    2     If some people don’t accept you, they’re not the kind of friends you need. People often stay together because they have similar interests. For example, someone who does a lot of sports may make friends with those who also run or swim a lot.

Remember to be nice to the people you meet at your new school. If you think that you will say something that may make them feel sad, do not say anything and just nod your head if they talk to you. Also, remember to be as helpful as possible!

A smile goes a long way. When you walk in the halls, don’t keep your eyes on the floor. Raise your head and make eye contact with other people.     4     Introduce yourself. Tell them your name and where you’re from.

You like it when people use your name, and so do other people.     5     Besides, ask them in a kind way if they have a nickname. You’d be surprised how often this may come in handy.

Over the past many years, we     1     (spare) no effort at work overtime, thus ignoring our family life. We spend time with people     2    we have nothing    3    common with, and attend social activities we have no interest in or     4     (curious) about. We always find ourselves    5    (live) our lives in the way that pleases others and intend to make ourselves impressive to others instead of being ourselves. In fact, most of us only think about ourselves a little and rarely give ourselves     6     second thought, as a result of which, we often end up behaving     7     (happy) and out of place.

In view of this, it’s time to think about ourselves, our own family, and start creating a lifestyle that     8     (reflect) our own likes and dislikes. We’d better think it over next time when     9    (require) to work extra hours. Trying to be a loving parent or good friend    10     (be) very likely to give us far more pleasure and a feeling of security, connection and belonging.

A Great Monday

Monday started out well. I woke up on time, ate breakfast and did some last minute studying for my math test later that morning. I was confident of getting good grades. I left my house and ten minutes later, I sat with my friends on the school bus. We were busy chatting about how we spent our weekend. At the next stop, a student named Ryan got on the bus. He was in a rush and tripped (绊倒) over someone’s foot. There was a loud noise as he fell to the floor.

Every one of us on the bus laughed. Ryan got up, brushed his jacket and went to an empty seat. He tried to laugh with us, but his face was red with embarrassment. The rest of the morning went by quickly. I did well in my math test. I read two more chapters of To Kill a Mockingbird in English class. Soon we heard the lunch bell. I met my friends from the cheerleading team in the dining hall. I noticed Ryan a few tables away, sitting by himself. He caught me looking at him. I smiled at him quickly and looked away.

When we finished eating, we went to the courtyard to practice a cheer we would do at that night’s football game. After much practice, we finally managed to do the cheer perfectly. We decided to practice it again one last time. Just like the rest of my day so far, the cheer was going great. I raised my leg for one last toe touch. That was when I felt my jeans (牛仔裤) split (裂开) down the middle of my backside.

I froze. I had no idea what to do. I heard people burst out laughing and I saw them pointing at my torn jeans. I tried to cover myself with my hands, I tried to laugh too, but I felt tears begin to well up in my eyes.

Then I saw Ryan running towards me.

That night, after the cheer at the football game, I found Ryan.

In class, Mr. Smith said we had to give a speech about someone we were grateful (感激的) to. When I heard this, I complained (抱怨) to Mareya that I was nervous about speaking in front of the whole class.

Mareya reminded (提醒) me of my experience on stage and noted that I had been in at least three plays. “If you don’t get stage fright in front of so many audience, why are you bothered by a few kids in our class?”

It was true, but in a play, you are part of a group. I disagreed. Also, there were so many people I was grateful to. There was no way I could choose just one. And even if I did choose one, I wouldn’t know what to say. Plus, I was certain I would mess up if I tried to say it out loud! I imagined myself standing there with everyone staring at me, waiting for words to come out of my mouth. I pulled my sweatshirt hood (兜帽) over my face, covered my ears, and said, “I don’t want to talk about it!”

But one thing about really good friends who knew you well was that they didn’t always do exactly what you asked. Mareya giggled (咯咯笑) and comforted me while teasing me with a paper elephant.

I felt more relaxed, and then Mareya and I had a heated discussion about speech organization and topic selection (选择). Mareya planned to deliver a speech about her doctor father, whom she was grateful to.

However, I still couldn’t figure out what to say. Seeing my dilemma (困境), Mareya suggested talking about my mother, who always supported me unconditionally. Her suggestion was accepted. It wasn’t until midnight that she finished revising my draft, correcting my mistakes, and reminding me not to stutter (口吃) during the rehearsal (预演).

On Monday morning, however, I decided to change the topic and give a speech about Mareya.

The day of my big solo (独唱表演) had finally arrived. Everyone was there: my mom and dad and my little brother. It was a big event: the Spring Fling Choir Concert. My name was on the cover of the program. “Cindy Hamond … Soloist.” I couldn’t believe it. Not that it was my name, but that it wasn’t Renee Swanson’s.

Renee and I had been friends since kindergarten. She was always wherever I was and she was always ahead of me. Dance-class recital needs a big finish? Renee was picked. Softball? She played first base. And the school plays? Renee would have the leads. The only time I ever came in ahead of Renee was at roll call (点名). Hamond comes before Swanson. I count that as a victory.

The choir concert tryout was stressful for me. We waited while Ms. Jenkins called us one at a time into the choir room. When Ms. Jenkins got to the H’s, my heart sped up and my whole body was shaking. When I came back, Renee smiled at me. Ms. Jenkins called her name and Renee calmly followed her. She was still calm and smiling when her tryout was over.

When Ms. Jenkins announced who had made the special choir group, I wasn’t surprised when Renee’s name was on her list and mine wasn’t. “So,” I said under my breath, “what else is new?”

Sudden clapping came. Everyone was looking at me. I’ve missed something here, I thought. Ms. Jenkins looked at me, “Cindy, you will have to start practicing with me. The solos take extra preparation.” Solo? I got the solo? I could hardly believe my ears. I glanced over at Renee. She smiled and gave me the thumbs-up sign.

Now the day had come. we filed onto the stage and took our places. I was front and center. Ms. Jenkins raised her baton (指挥棒) and we began to sing. I could see my parents were smiling at me.

The spotlight circled me in its bright light. Ms. Jenkins nodded and pointed her baton at me, but I froze right there on the spot.

I couldn’t breathe, neither could I think, and worse still, I couldn’t sing.

The rest of the solo went well.