New School Year (And School)

Going to a new school this September and not sure how to handle being the new kid?  Or just in for a change in your classroom pals?  This week, I will post an article on how to make the right friends fast.  Enjoy!
Step 1:  When you arrive in your new classroom, get to know everyone in your class: learn their names and try to select a few you like best.  Maybe even try for other new kids.  Don't forget: some friendships aren't immediate, so yours could take a while to develop.  Also keep in mind that some people aren't what they seem and that the kids without friends are always possibilities are pals.
Step 2: At the next break, or even after school, try to pull one of those few people you chose aside.  Learn a little more about them: what they like, and what kind of personality they have.  By the end of the week, try to get down to a few less people and get emails and addresses.  Of course, if you're the type to have a lot of friends, you can be friends with all of them, and maybe even some of their closer buddies.  If you're more the one-friend type, try to find a best friend, maybe even one for life!
Step 3: Try to pick one or two of the people as your best friend(s).  It's possible that your two finalists are already good buddies, so you could form a "triangle friendship."
When you're choosing, keep in mind a few helpful hints:

1. Try to go with someone who has a personality similar to yours.  People like this usually get along better.
2. Make sure you know enough about the person to be able to judge him/her.  Sometimes, people who seem so aren't actually who you want to be with.
3. If you two get along immediately, keep it that way.
4. Don't push it, and don't steal the person away from his/her friends from prior years (if your option is another new kid, this shouldn't be a problem).
5. Pick the person who you like because of his/her life, personality, bad spots, etc.  These are signs of a true possible friendship.  Also, try to make sure the person likes you for what you are: that's half the decision.

The personalities make a big difference in a person, so take a look at the following personality helper for help deciding.
SPORTY: This personality type usually enjoys playing sports and is sometimes synonymous with boyish.  Sporty people can be obsessed with their hobbies, and it's best if you don't interfere with that.
GIRLY: The girly type usually have a lot of friends and like things like dolls when they're little, and like things like boys as they get older.  Although many people think girly-girls are girly for life, sometimes they pretend to be boyish.  Girly people often catch on to trends easily.
QUIRKY: Quirky people are not ordinary, and like to start their own trends.  Often quirky people don't fit in because they don't like the same things as other people.  If you know me, I would probably be classified as quirky.  Quirky people are often imitated by some of the other personality types, but are impossible to duplicate.
GOODY-TWO-SHOES: A Goody-Two-Shoes is someone who plays it safe and goes by the rules.  They can be sometimes dull to be with because they never take risks and do as they're told.
SERVANT: Servants are often bossed around and taken advandage of by girly and sporty (and occaisionally even quirky) people.  Their kind nature allows them to do things for people, but if you don't boss them around, the servant type is a kind addition to your friend data-base.
If you aren't changing schools, but would like to make a new friend or two or even make up with someone next year, consider being nice to the new kid.  It's not easy to change schools, so if you're looking for a new lifelong buddy, try the new addition to your grade.
I hope This or That helped you pick out your new best friend and made life easier for you at your new school, or even better at your old one.