by Jessica Rangel

Created on: December 07, 2011   Last Updated: December 08, 2011

There is no easy way to make friends while in school. In any level of education, whether it is in elementary, middle or high school, students will often find themselves being persuaded to join one or more group of friends because they fit in, or because they simply know someone there. The key to fitting in with classmates is simple: be original, and be honest. There are many students who feel the pressure on their shoulders to make friends for 'X' reason, so they lie in order to impress their friends. In any school, there will always be those students that the whole school looks up to - the students that are compulsively busy with school, or the smart kids. There are also students who love sports, or the jocks, and finally, the students that simply support the school by keeping busy.

There is no "magical" way of fitting in with classmates in any school. Students can try and approach their classmates during break time and ask if they can sit down next to them. Or they can simply be partnered up with someone during class for an assignment, find something that they have in common, and become best friends. 

The best way to fit in with classmates is to simply be open, honest and most importantly, be an individual. What attracts people to one another is the differences in each person. It can be hard to find that person or that group where one person can feel comfortable enough to be themselves, but it can also be refreshing to be around a group of people that are completely different from one another - because it can be easy to see that everyone is different.

Here are some things that can help students fit in faster with their classmates. 

1. Introduce yourself. Instead of being the only person in the group who is quiet and timid, introduce yourself, and let people know who you are. You never know who is looking to talk to you, but is also shy. 

2. Don't be afraid to talk to others. Join the conversation. This can help you break the ice with your classmates.

3. Be yourself, no matter what. This is one of the most important parts of fitting in with classmates. Many students feel the constant pressure to be someone that they're not because they are surrounded by people different from them. Just be yourself, and be honest. There is nothing better than that.

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