How to Make a Good First Impression on the First Day of a New School

Display confident, open body language.

Your body language tells a lot about your feelings. If your arms are crossed, you might seem standoffish. If you twirl your hair or fidget a lot, you may look anxious or nervous. To make a great impression, keep your arms uncrossed and make eye contact with people. Stand tall with your shoulders back so you appear self-assured. If you frequently tense up your shoulders, remind yourself to pause and relax your muscles so you look more comfortable.

Smile and be kind to people you meet.

You'll look approachable and confident if you have a smile on your face. Kindness is hands-down the best way to make friends and attract people to you. If you're nice to everybody, even the kids who aren't popular, you'll radiate positive energy which makes a great first impression. Not an outgoing person? Just do your best to be compassionate and empathetic. Give out compliments, too! These make classmates feel good about themselves and they'll have a good impression of you. You could even jumpstart a conversation by saying something like, “I love your shoes! Where’d you get them?” or, “I like your necklace. I wish I had something like that!” Don't force anyone into conversation. If you think someone looks like they don't want to be bothered, play it safe and just give them a polite wave. This way, you're acknowledging them, and letting them know that you're a nice person, without overstepping any possible boundaries.

Be true to yourself.

The best impression you can make is an authentic one. You shouldn't have to hide your personality or completely change who you are to make friends. People can usually tell if you're being sincere and you'll make better friendships if you act like yourself!

Choose an outfit that makes you feel confident.

Come up with a look that's fun, comfortable, and shows your personality. Unless you have a school uniform, you might feel under a lot of pressure to find the perfect first day of school outfit. Cut yourself some slack! As long as you wear something that you enjoy and feel good in, you'll radiate confidence. Need some specific outfit ideas? These are classic options: A button-down shirt with bright shorts or jeans A vintage T-shirt with black pants or a long maxi-skirt Fun printed pants with a gray shirt and black blazer A striped shirt with khaki pants and a bold belt If you have a school uniform, consider customizing it with some jewelry to make it your own. If that's not allowed, just make sure it's in good condition and it fits correctly. You don't want to go into school wearing a too small skirt. Make sure your outfit obeys the dress code. You don't want to get detention on the first day

Get ready for school before you go to bed.

Set out your outfit and pack your bag so you're not scrambling in the morning. Lay out your clothes so you're not searching through your closet. Then, pack any notebooks, folders, and writing supplies that you might need in your backpack. Think about other things you may need during the day—phone charger, tissues, period products, or deodorant, for instance. If you get ready the night before, you won't be rushing around in the morning which can stress you out. It's a good idea to print out your schedule and a map of the school so you can easily find your way to classes. Consider packing multiple copies of your schedule so that you always have one easily accessible, especially for the beginning of the year. It's very useful so that you aren't late. You can also write your schedule on a sticky note, and keep the sticky note in your pocket, so you can easily glance at it when needed.

Give yourself time to get ready in the morning.

Wake up earlier than usual so you can shower and eat breakfast. Try to set your alarm an extra 30 minutes early so you're not rushed for time. You can spend more time washing up and styling your hair, for instance. Don't forget to eat a healthy breakfast, too! Reach for something that's got protein so you're not hungry during your morning classes. For example, grab a piece of whole-wheat toast and eat an egg with it or spread some nut butter on top so you get protein. If you're all set to go but have some extra time, do something relaxing. You might read or watch a little TV until it's time to leave. Not a morning person? Take your shower the night before—then, you just have to dress and eat. Don't wake up so early that you don't get enough sleep. Make sure that in return, you're sleeping earlier as well.

Get to school a little early.

You probably need to find your locker and your first classroom. If you're running behind, you might feel stressed out. Try to get to school at least 10 minutes early so you can get your bearings and hang out a little before class starts. This is a great chance to meet to classmates or ask for directions. If you have friends who are also going to the same school, you might plan on meeting up in a common space before classes start.

Ask questions and take the time to listen.

Break up awkward silences and get to know your classmates. You'll come across as outgoing and you'll keep the conversation flowing by asking questions. You might ask what someone did over break or what classes they're taking. Don't forget to pay attention to their answers! This shows you're really listening and interested in becoming friends. For example, you might ask which teacher they have for English class or whether they have advice for which extracurriculars to do.

Be ready to introduce yourself.

Most teachers do an icebreaker exercise so everyone learns names. You'll probably also have to share something interesting or silly so think about what you'd like to share about yourself. You might tell your hobbies, what sports you play, where you've traveled, or your favorite band. For an ice breaker, you may say something like, “My name is Alice and I spent this summer at camp in Vermont. I played a lot of basketball and finally finished the Harry Potter books,” or something like that.

Engage in the class if you want to impress your teacher.

Participate in class and answer your teacher’s questions. It's really not hard to make a good first impression with your teacher—pay attention when they speak, ask questions when you have them, and interact in the class when you can. These show that you're interested in learning and care about their class. Remember to ask for help when you need it. Raise your hand if you don't understand something. Your teacher will appreciate that you're clearing things up.