Respect other people’s property as well. Never take something that isn’t yours, and if someone lends you something be sure to return it in the condition you received it.
For example, say to the bully “Hey, man, that’s not cool. You shouldn’t talk to Susie like that. ”
For instance, if a classmate tells you that her dog just died, say something like “Wow, I’m really sorry to hear that. I remember how hard it was when my dog, Tally, died last year. Is there anything I can do to help?”
If you see someone sitting by themselves, ask them if they want to join you. If they refuse, however, don’t push it. They might just want to be alone. If you see someone who looks sad, ask them what’s wrong. If they look like they need help with someone, ask them if they want any help.
For example, if a classmate insults you, laugh it off or walk away. Don’t stoop to their level by calling them names or getting into a physical fight.
To show your peers you are a leader, you can become the captain of a team or club, join the student council/government, or offer to tutor others in areas you excel in. If you are too shy to lead a club or team, you could become an expert in a certain subject. Your confidence could help mark you as a leader.
If you don’t see a club that you like, ask your school if you can start one up. Some schools will have you create a petition and get signatures from other students.
One way to show that you are open-minded is to show interest in other people’s backgrounds and ask them questions.
Take small steps to relate to others, such as commenting on a classmate’s shirt if it has your favorite band logo on it. Another way to show kids you relate to them is to show empathy. For example, if a classmate is upset over a bad grade, think about how you would feel in that situation. Say something like, “I know how frustrating it can be to get a bad grade on something you worked hard on. That happened to me earlier this year in art. Luckily, there’s still time to improve your overall grade in the class, so don’t let it get you down too much. ”
For example, say “Wow, I’m super tired. I was up late cleaning because my dog knocked over a can of paint in the living room!” You could also say “Have you started your history project yet? I’m thinking of doing mine on the Titanic. ”
For example, if someone gives you constructive criticism, you could say “Wow, thanks for pointing that out, I didn’t notice it before. ” For instance, if someone compliments your outfit, say something like “Thank you! I got this at T. J. Maxx. Green is my favorite color. ” Sometimes, criticism is plain rude. For example, if someone calls your jacket ugly, you could say “That wasn’t very nice,” or you could ignore them.
Sometimes, the truth can be hurtful, so you should use your best judgement. For example, if someone has a really bad haircut, don’t tell them that it looks bad!
Class participation can also help improve your grade. Many teachers include participation on the overall grade.
For example, read a newspaper or magazine article and practice summarizing it. This will help you weed out unnecessary information while providing the key points. Another way to improve your communication skills is to take part in a play or take an acting class.
For instance, if everyone in your peer group is eating pizza for lunch, and you don’t like pizza, don’t feel as though you have to eat it too. Select what you like, and if someone comments on it, simply say “I’m not a big fan of pizza. I like getting my lunch from the salad bar better. ”
For example, if you are a skilled runner, join the track or cross-country team. If someone you know has a great voice, encourage them to join the choir or try out for the spring musical.
Don’t brag or boast about your intelligence, though, just let it speak for itself. Sometimes, you will make mistakes. If someone proves you wrong, thank them, or say something like “I stand corrected!”
Don’t take yourself too seriously. If something embarrassing happens, just brush it off with a smile and a laugh. Take note of other people’s reactions. What’s funny to one person may not be funny to the next.
