“Nobody at school shares my standards. How do I make good friends there?,” For the Strength of Youth, July 2024.
Questions and Answers
“Nobody at school shares my standards. How do I make good friends there?”
“Talk about your shared interests. You don’t need to dim your light. You just have to be a normal teenager who relates to some of the fun things other teenagers enjoy. Follow the standards of Jesus Christ, and make it clear to your schoolmates the standards that you follow.”
Jamie Ann B., 18, Negros Occidental, Philippines
“Find people with similar classes, interests, talents, or hobbies. There are great people of other faiths, as well as wonderful people who have no faith at all. They are all still beloved children of God. As you continue to keep your standards, even when your friends don’t, your example may encourage others to make better choices.”
Lucy B., 15, Lima, Peru
“Be patient and open-minded. Friendship is about quality, not quantity, and having a few true friends can be more rewarding than trying to fit in with a crowd that doesn’t align with your values.”
Adedoyin Alma O., 17, Osun, Nigeria
“Share your standards with them. If they know what your standards are, they’ll be able to respect them. You can also invite your school friends to church and/or Church activities to help them see more about what you believe.”
Margarett P., 13, Texas, USA
“I have learned that you can find good friends through promptings and just being yourself. Sometimes people will come to you, and sometimes you have to look, but there will be people who will be good friends or need a good friend like you.”
Katie R., 18, Nebraska, USA