How do I make friends at my new school?

Dear Advice Girl,

I just moved from California to Ohio. At my new school, there are “preps” and and all those cliques I see in movies, but there's no one like the people I used to hang out with - punks. How can I fit in or at least make some friends?

Signed,
   Erica

Dear Erica,

Like lots of people, you’re stuck in a not-so-perfect place – and you’ve just gotta do the best with what you’re given. (At least until you’re old enough to skip town.) Here’s how:

Step 1: Expand your mind. Just ‘cause no one at school’s wearing beat-up Converse and black hoodies doesn’t they’re not friend material. Try to look past people’s clothes. I bet some of those kids - even the preppy ones - are fun, smart, cool, decent people you could totally have fun with.

Step 2: Expand your universe. (Oh god, I’m starting to sound like a hippie, aren’t I?) School isn’t the only place you can find friends. Check out some community groups, get a part-time job, volunteer, go to punk shows. There’s plenty of cool kids out there – you’ve just gotta find them.

Whatever you do, just make sure you stay true to yourself – beat-up Converse and all.