Finding friends in a new school and town? Please help...

[Alac16]

Hi, I just moved all the way to Oregon from a very small town in Wyoming. I am starting school next week, and I am very nervous that I won't be able to make friends... At my old school, I was with the same few people for all my life, and I never made many friends. The town and school was full of hicks, and I just didn't fit in. Well I just moved in with my aunt in Oregon, and the school is considerably larger, about 200 people per grade as compared to lunge 15.... I went on a band trip to go rafting today before school starts. It was pretty freaky because I didn't know a single person there. There seemed to be some pretty cool people, but nobody seemed to even notice I was there... I am so nervous that I'll go into school and not find anyone. I'm kind of quiet, but I am kind to most people, even if I come off as being standoffish. It's just that I feel that people might get annoyed by my presence or something. So if I go into the lunchroom: everyone is sitting at their table minding their business with their friends, and I don't know any of the faces. What do I do?

People say to take sports, but I'm not good at basketball and whatnot really, but I do take dance in town. Will people think this is "gay", which of course is just an ignorant thing to say... there are other guys at the studio, but I haven't met them yet. I'm an in shape person, I dress nice and have good hygiene.. I'm just scared to talk to people that I don't know if I have anything in common with them. I have never experienced this before. I don't want to be lonely here.. thank you for reading, and for any advice!

[Cool Mojo]

I understand how you feel and it'll be hard but the best thing I think to do is try and make yourself more attractive to people. I don't mean this in the physical sense but try to make it so that people want to come to you. Confidence also plays a huge part. If you're too nervous then it will push people away. I also think you could try to do sports or whatever to try and fit it (if you want) but always stay true to yourself.

Unfortunately, there are some ignorant, close minded people who will consider something like dancing, singing or even a sport that doesn't involve contact like tennis gay. I believe that if you could build up enough confidence to not be bothered by those close minded fools then you'll probably be fine :)

[eric2001]

Your new school probably has clubs or extra-curricular things. Find out about them and join some. You'll make friends, I know it!

[jamie_n5]

Well my suggestion would be to start talking to others and introduce yourself and tell them about your big move and the huge size difference in class sizes. Good luck man.