By Emily Matthews, Year 10
We have all been the new person. Whether it was at a new school, or our first time in kinder garden, we have all been there, done that, got the t-shirt. At our international school, people come and go all the time. It’s a fact of life here. But it’s a lot harder when we are the ones moving.
First thing’s first. Moving is hard. Really hard. Moving houses is stressful, moving countries is even worse.
So, is there anything you can do to make that transition easier?
Yes. Not much, but anything helps.
Tip 1: Ask lots of questions.
Questions make everything clearer and may even bring you some closure. You can ask your parents why you’re moving, where you’re going, whether or not you get to pick your school. You get a say, as it is your life as well as theirs that is being uprooted and dragged to a different country. Think of it as a whole new beginning instead of an end.
Tip 2: First impressions.
First impressions count. Some of us have learnt that the hard way. And at new places where you may be spending a long time, it is always worth the little extra effort to appeal yourself to whoever you’re meeting. Make sure to smile, be polite, and most of all, eye contact.
Tip 3: Rambling.
Rambling is probably one of the worst things you can do when starting at a new school. I have a tendency to do it, and it takes a lot of effort to get your mouth back under control, just when you really want to tell them about that time you went surfing in Hawaii. But rambling isn’t a good way to start. You might interrupt the other person to tell them something about you, and come across as self-absorbed. Remember to take time to breathe.
Tip 4: Get involved.
Moving seems a lot less huge when you get involved. Talk to your parents about schooling options, the things the area has to offer. Help them pick the house/apartment you’ll be living in. It feels better to get involved, and talking to your parents about how you feel and helping them is a good way to start.
Tip 5: Take time to say goodbye and stay in touch.
Always cherish that last precious moment with your friends. That may sound really cheesy, but it’s true. Take time to spend a day doing all the things you love, making more good memories to bring with you. Don’t forget, we have social media and messaging nowadays, so it makes it a lot easier to organize meetings and staying in touch.
In summary, talk about the move, get involved, stay in touch with the friends you’ve made and make a good first impression. And don’t forget: moving is not the end of the world. You get a chance to start over!
