Belonging Starts with You: Four Simple Tips for Making Connections at School
September is here! With a new school year starting, it’s the perfect time to think about what it really means to feel belonging and community in your school environment. When I think about the start of school, of course I think about all my classes and after school activities. However, friendships are a super important part of school and September is a great time to either start or continue building strong relationships with the people around you!
A sense of belonging is not just “fitting in.” To me it’s much more than that. Belonging is about feeling safe, accepted, and like you’re part of something real. Especially now, when so much of our connection happens online, it’s easy to forget how powerful in-person moments can be, and school is a great way to utilize these connections.
Some of my most treasured memories happen when I least expect it, because they are formed from little moments of connection with my peers. For example, sharing a laugh in the hallway or inside jokes with friends. Those little things add up, and these experiences end up being the building blocks of connection.
Take the opportunities you have at school and beyond to reach out and build friendships!
Tips on how to build connection
Find groups of people with similar interests (e.g., Clubs!!).
In my high school, I ended up finding a lot of friends through all my music-related activities such as choir and band. I found that having both similar interests and common goals helped form lasting connections.
Try being a friend first.
One of the most important parts of community-building means having a welcoming presence, and that starts with you! I was once given the advice that if I wanted to have friends, all I had to do was be a friend. For me, this looked like simple smiles in the hallway and lunch invites. By that was open and friendly, people around me responded positively and I began to build a great group of people around me.
Put your phone down.
Although technology can be an amazing tool to connect with others, it can sometimes also distract us from potential connections that are right in front of our faces! Sometimes there are quieter moments in the day that make it tempting to reach for the phone. If you spot other people around doing the same, it’s a great opportunity to start a conversation.
Show Up! (even if it seems uncool)
I think the most important tip that helps build community is a simple mindset change. If you walk into every situation with an attitude of positivity and willingness to be fully present, you naturally inspire others to follow your lead. This can be a real game changer, because it means that you have the power to make opportunities for friendship wherever you go!
As Romans 12:5 reminds us, “so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Taking the initiative to be friendly strengthens not only ourselves but those around us too! I learned that belonging doesn’t have to be big or loud, it can start with small moments that help us feel seen and connected. I hope that the new school year brings many opportunities for you to build community in your own school!
Sarah Brown
JOMO Student Intern
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Further Reading:
https://www.newleaders.org/blog/belonging-in-schools-why-it-matters-and-how-to-build-it
https://hedcoinstitute.uoregon.edu/blog/3/what-school-belonging
