Also, to answer your Q’s,

1. about 80% of what people speak is slang/mumbled/shortened English, so you’ll learn soon enough.

2. different isn’t always a bad thing, and sometimes it’s just what people want, something to break the habit of the “norm”

With boys, experience will come with age and just practice. If you’re under 14 or so, you’ll be just like everyone else there.

Classroom-finding tips:

-Ask a teacher or someone nearby your locker (preferrably alone or so… maybe even a boy!)

-It takes practice, so you should have the hang of it by the end of the first week

-The less you worry the easier it will be, just ask around or have a new friend help you, or ask for a map in the main office

Also take initiative to talk to people. Say “hi”, ask ppl about where the classroom is, etc. then when they answer you just talk on, and ask them questions about themselves. Make you sure you smile and be humourous i.e. ready to laugh.

Just be confident, know that ppl there are kids like youself.

Anyhow, I’m sure the school will have someone take you on a tour of school.

And with my experience, there’s always someone who greets a new kid and helps them out, even if there is a language barrier.

Don’t act like you’re better than everyone else.

Don’t do anything stupid just to fit in.

EDIT: I don’t know what to do for the boy situation. I’ve been going to co-ed and I still can’t talk to boys. >_>;;