Moving to a new city or school can be very challenging for a teen in high school. Many teens find it hard to make friends in a new school and have a difficult time navigating a new social scene.

Below are some quick tips on how teens can better cope with moving to a new town or school:

1-It’s important for teenagers to get involved in an extra curricular activity. An art  (dance, music, drawing) are ways to not only express themselves but also to connect with others and find common interests. The same can be said for joining a sports team. Being a part of an activity instantly aligns teens with like minded individuals and will put them in a prime situation for making friends.

2-Of course, staying in touch with friends is now easier than ever. Teens can maintain their friendships after they’ve moved through social media like snapchat, instagram and twitter. FaceTime and Skype also make it easy to virtually “hang out” with your friends.

3-Regarding academic success, It is important to be aligned with a school counselor. Upon changing schools, a school counselor can be a teen’s greatest ally. Counselors have the ability to register you for the classes of your interest and will help you with other issues along the way.

4- Talk to your teen about his/her feelings. It’s normal for your teen to feel sad or depressed after moving to a new town. They have experienced a loss and it is important that you validate their feelings but also give them hope that things will get better.

5-Encourage your teen to get involved. Sometimes the best way to encourage teenagers to do something positive is to do it yourself, as well. Join a book club or meeting group to show your teen that even though reaching out is hard, it is do able! Not only will it show your teen that you understand how she/he feels, but it will also give you and your teenager something to share feelings and opinions about.

If your teen needs extra help adjusting to a new city or school, please reach out to a counselor or therapist for additional help.