What’s the best way to make friends at a new school?

Although it might feel overwhelming during your first few days at a new school, it’s easier to make friends than you might think.【小题1】. Just try to be inviting, smiling, and making eye contact, and people will naturally greet you. If you see someone you recognize from class, the basketball court, or the community, give a smile or say hi. Introduce yourself.【小题2】. Asking questions such as “What sports do you like to play?” or “Have you been here since kindergarten?” is a good way to begin a friendship.

【小题3】. You can save someone a seat, say hi in the hall, or offer congratulations on a good test score. Even a simple compliment, such as “I like your backpack,” can go a long way toward making a friendship. You could join a sports team, engage in school activities, such as choir or theater, or form or join a study group. All are great ways to meet potential friends, establish common bonds, and get academic support. And guidance counselors can arrange for “buddies” with similar interests and the same classes to introduce new students to the campus the first few days of school.

Friendships can enrich your life in many ways. Good friends teach you about yourself and challenge you to be better. 【小题1】. So how do friendships contribute to your well-being?

●Friends encourage healthy behaviors

One possible explanation for those health benefits is that friendships can help you make lifestyle changes that can have a direct impact on your well-being. For example, your friends can help you set and maintain goals to eat better and exercise more.

●【小题2】

If you find yourself going through a hard time, having a friend to help you through can make the transition (转变) easier.

Research also shows that happiness is contagious (有感染力的) among friends. One study of high school students found that those who were depressed were twice as likely to recover if they had happy friends. 【小题3】.

●Friends help build your confidence

【小题4】. But supportive friends can help you feel more confident by offering praise when you’re feeling unsure. They’ll shine a light on just how amazing you are and how much you have to offer others.

●Friends push you to be your best

Great friends have the power to mold(塑造) you into the best version of yourself. 【小题5】. They encourage you and push you to do better and be the person you want to be—your “ideal self”.

It’s said that you can choose your friends but not your family. Maybe, But it’s clear that good friends come with plenty of health benefits, Now research suggests that your friendships may be more important than family relationships when it comes to your health and happiness.

Researchers from Michigan State University carried out two studies published in Personal Relationships. They first looked at data from nearly 280,000 people from almost 100 countries worldwide. After comparing people’s friendships and family relationships with their physical and mental health, the team discovered that friendship was linked to higher scores of well-being (康乐) than family relationships.

The second study involved (涉及) almost 7, 500 older adults, and suggested that the quality of friendships had a much bigger influence on health than family relationships. People who reported stressful friendships were much more likely to suffer poor health compared to those who had positive friendships; the influence on health from good or bad family relationships was small.

Friendships are very important to well-being. For one, it’s easier to drop a bad friendship than it is to cut ties with a family member. Even better, friends can also provide social support when things get tough with family members, such as going through a divorce or when caring for an aged parent. And long-lasting friendships are less likely to be filled with guilt than a family relationship.

Of course, good friendships don’t just happen — they require time, but time spent on developing good friendships is worth it.

“Friendships help us shun loneliness but are often harder to maintain (维持) throughout the life,” explains William Chopik, PHD, assistant professor of psychology.“ If a friendship has survived the test of time, you know it must be a good one. It means you’ve found someone you turn to for help and advice often.”