I would focus more on what your teachers are expecting this year and concentrate on the academics — perhaps asking the teacher what kinds of tests that they give (multiple choice, true/false, fill-in-the-blank and/or essay). That can perhaps allow you to feel a bit more comfortable not being so focused on the socal scene as that can be quite daunting especially in a new environment. Another idea is to look into joining an afterschool activity club that you have a passion for such as the science club, volunteer/community service club or theatre workshop (if even stage crew/behind-the-scenes). That can be a link to others with similar interests as yourself. And during school hours, there may be a need for a volunteer office aide in either the library (perhaps mostly shelving books), the nurse’s office or principal’s office.

P.S. And please remember Not to engage in risky behaviors merely to ‘fit in’ or ‘go along with the crowd’. I’m sure that you are already aware but those risky behaviors can include seemingly harmless things (which absolutely couldn’t be further from the truth) such as inhalant use also called ‘huffing’ which is inhaling fumes from household or industrial products like glue, paint, gasoline or any type of aerosol spray can. Huffing can cause permanent destruction of the brain tissue as well as bone marrow (fatty inner lining of bones which cushions joints and makes blood cells) damage as a friend has a traumatic brain injury (tbi) and the bone marrow damage from using an inhalant at age 12, now in her 30’s.

And the ‘pass out game’ also called ‘space monkey’ or the ‘choking game’ is another very deadly and risky behavior where the person puts something around their neck (or a friend strangles them or they purposely hyperventilate) to cut off oxygen to the brain giving a cheap, quick high as inhalant use does. A person can get a stroke (‘brain attack’) or even die from it. So just fyi, in case you were approached with something like either of those. (And of course all substance use is a bad idea but the inhalants are not as well-known to be so dangerous and poisonous.)