An interview about starting High School Part 2

Starting High School is a bit like launching into the unknown. Especially when faced with a bunch of new people you’ve never met before. How do you know who’s good for you or not?

I sat down with an amazing young person who started high school in the middle of the pandemic and she had some lovely wisdom to share with others starting out their high school journeys. You can read part 1 of that interview here.

Here are the amazing young person’s comments on starting new friendships in High School…

“Make sure the person you are in grade 8 is the person you want to be all the way through high school.”

I love this statement. How I interpret it is, be yourself and be true to yourself. Anyone have different thoughts on this?*

Your friendship group is very important. Make sure you make friends outside of this (don’t get stuck in a “clique”)

Beware of toxic people.

How would you define a toxic person?

Someone who absorbs ALL of your energy. They are quite manipulative and they try to isolate you from others. They try to make you feel guilty about talking to someone else, they’re very jealous and can make you feel guilty for doing other things. They can make you feel that you have to always be with them and no one else.

And, one day they don’t want to be with you and the next day they are clingy.

“Sometimes if you get that gut feeling they aren’t being truthful, don’t ignore that! And if it goes on too long, talk to someone you trust.”

Also, talk directly to the person if they’re making you feel guilty, then walk away.

What is your take on the difference between building face to face and online relationships?

Online, people are often much more brave, and they may be more passive-aggressive, they wouldn’t behave a certain way to your face, for example.

If you make a new friend, get to know them in person first, then online. If you have friends you only know online, don’t tell them everything. Trust is a big issue!

Online bullying is extremely common. It can be so subtle and passive-aggressive. Be direct and ask them to stop.

Knowing when a person is joking or being sarcastic or mean online is really hard. You can’t read their tone of voice. You can so easily use emojis falsely. Emojis are so often exaggerated online, making it even harder to read tone/intention at times.

Try to get to know people in person and see if they’re the same in person as they are online, if they’re consistent, they would probably be a good friend!

My huge thanks to this amazing young person for sharing your great thoughts and insights in navigating high school life. You’re a star.