Supposedly we are living in one of the loneliest times in history, and more people than ever are struggling in social aspects of their lives. This is a tough thing for anyone to deal with, but especially for high schoolers. High school is a tough time for anyone, and can be even tougher if students view themselves as alone. Having no friends can be a lonely experience, and when I think of it I often feel for the new students at the high school who are worried about a new environment, feel like they are the smallest people in the school and on top of all that have no friends. I acknowledge that there are very real issues and reasons that people struggle socially. However for the sake of this argument I am speaking to the group of people who do not deal with conditions or circumstances that legitimately hinder them, and I believe this to be the large majority of those who claim to struggle socially. To those people I say: try getting a life. 

Now I know that sounds harsh, but hang with me here. If a student told me they have no friends my first question would be: Are you in any clubs or other extracurricular activities? If the answer is no, then I think that is entirely the students fault. Friends are made in social settings and clubs and activities are the perfect place to make them. If the student said they were involved and still had no friends I would say that I don’t think that student is trying hard enough. The vast majority of students involved in clubs and activities are extremely friendly and will be quick to welcome new members. I immediately think of my friends involved in the art club, who are some of the most welcoming people I have the pleasure of knowing. I think that the social experience in high school is whatever we make it to be. If we search for people to meet and befriend, we will find those who are doing the same. If we sit and mope about how we are alone, we will never attract anyone to be friends. 

So again to those students who are not involved and feel like they don’t belong somewhere, I suggest giving a club or extracurricular activity a try. Maybe a club or activity could be the home that has always eluded you. And maybe the first try isn’t the right fit, but there are so many things to join at the high school. So if at first you don’t succeed: try try again, and go get a life because no one else is going to go get it for you.