Staying active socially can be pivotal to a teen's happiness, and with good reason: building solid and supportive friendships, dating, and spending time with our families can make us feel good about ourselves and teach us a lot about who we are and who we want to be. 

Finding time for a social life isn't always easy, especially for those teens who are very academically or extracurricularly oriented. On the other hand, preventing social activities from monopolizing one's schedule can also present a formidable challenge for those teens who are attempting to date and maintain a large number of friendships. It's a matter of striking a balance.

Special Circumstances: Moving? 
Moved to a new town? Just graduated from middle school? Starting over is never easy, no matter how old you are. If you find yourself in transition, understand that feeling lonely is completely normal. We've all been there. What's challenging is the fact that you need spend extra time developing new friends, while at the same time trying to learn your way around a new place and keep up in school. See tip in column to right>>>

Staying Connected

What's working and what's not working 

 

Tips Moving? One way to jump-start your social life is to an finding one friend first instead of trying to connect to a whole group. One friend can lead to other introductions and can keep you from feeling down while you're in transition. And be sure to stay in touch with your old friends by phone, e-mail, or letters. Knowing there are people who love you can give you the confidence to make new friends. Armed with an adjusted time map, you should have a clearer idea about the strategies you'll need to take to improve and balance your social life. Read on to find out how to translate your strategies into action.