Throughout high school, people make and break friendships as they find their own identities. However, when many high schoolers find their “main group,” they often don’t try to branch out of that comfort zone, leading them to stick to the same mindsets and only speak with people who think like them.
While it can be nice to find comfort in a group of friends who are similar to you, it can also be beneficial to branch out to new people. Many people think that they can only have one friend group that they stick to, but this isn’t necessarily true.
It is possible to have multiple different friends and friend groups who are very different from each other. Talking to people outside of one’s normal circle can broaden their world view, diversify their perspectives and help them grow into a more well-rounded person.
Additionally, people should not automatically shun those who are outside of their circle or who they believe are different. Instead, they should respect or even spark friendly conversations with people who are outside of their circle. This can be as simple as giving others a compliment or offering to collaborate on a group project with someone who doesn’t have a partner.
In an era when the internet makes it easy to avoid in-person conversations, taking the extra step to cultivate friendships with those one wouldn’t normally speak to can set them apart. According to a study by the University of California, over 60% of students from 2020 to 2022 reported not feeling engaged with society.
Now that adolescents are recovering from the stresses of isolation from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the perfect time to start building more relationships and making school a pleasant social setting instead of a cold, unaccepting one.
According to Centerstone, “All healthy friendships require challenge for growth. When friends present ideas and thoughts that are different from each other, they can gain a fuller understanding of each other and the world as a whole. The same is even truer when you have more diverse friends.”
High school is not only a time for finding one’s place, but for branching out as well. Students shouldn’t feel pressured to stick to a single friend group. If they think someone would be nice to have in their corner, they shouldn’t hesitate to reach out and make new connections.
Although summer is approaching, there is still a chance to create relationships with others before and during break. Signing yearbooks and including phone numbers is a great way to spark conversations with others and share information to continue those conversations over summer break. Be open to new experiences and don’t hesitate to participate in activities with new people.
In order to support the SHS community and help it live up to its full potential, students should try to practice the simple habit of connecting with those who are different from them, which would help to cultivate a kinder, more welcoming environment in which all students can thrive.
