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Related Reading
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 Cliques:
8 Steps to Help Your Child Survive the Social Jungle
Cliques has a twofold message: things are much worse
in school than you think, and as a parent, there are specific
steps you can and should take to make the situation better.
The first claim is unnecessary — we all know that cruel
stuff happens to kids in high school — but the authors
go on to give advice about how to help your child survive.
The book addresses two different phenomena: bullying and cliques.
The latter (those impenetrable social castles that admit and
exclude children on a whim) often employ "the fourth
R — ridicule" to devastate the self-esteem of those
who are "out." This tormenting of peers is not only
random and cruel but also often criminal.
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Finding your
High School Niche
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It's the place where everything matters — who you date,
what you wear, who your friends are, what clubs you're in,
what sports you play — the list is endless! Many leave
feeling like they never
really fit in and look back on the years like an open
wound that won't heal. But you can take the horror out of
high school!
Check out these hints designed to help you find your niche
in this confusing jungle of conflicting personalities. But
don't limit yourself to just one or two activities. You'll
get more out of your high school experience if you put more
effort into finding out what you love.
•Rock
or Jock? Try to find people
who share your interests and get to know them better. If
you love playing Stairway
to Heaven until 4 a.m., track down the other rockers
at school. Maybe you could start a band together! Or, if
the only music you make is when you pop a CD in the stereo,
maybe sports is your thing. Look into trying out for football
or the swim team. Many say being part
of a team bonds people for life.
•Paintbrushes or Pom Poms?
If you're really into art, see if your school has a graphic
design class. Or maybe the yearbook
staff could use a designer for next year's cover. But if
you aren't into getting paint on your designer clothes —
Ewww! — then maybe you'd enjoy cheering on the school
from the sidelines. As a cheerleader,
you'll get to meet people and become a permanent fixture
at athletic events — oh, and what a great way to meet
hot guys!
•The
Breakfast Club. Every
high school has a wide range of clubs to cater to each individual.
If you're into your classes and getting good grades, then
the National
Honor Society may be a fit for you. NHS
honors students who demonstrate excellence in the areas
of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. Other
clubs place more emphasis on public service, such as Interact
and Anchor.
As a member, you'll not only get to know people, but you'll
do a lot of good for your community. It won't look too bad
on that college application either!
•Smarty Pants. Although
rare, some teens are serious bookworms. You know who you
are. You're the person who'd rather get involved in a heated
argument on the debate team or beat the clock in the quiz
bowl than go to the sweethearts dance. If you think
this might just be you, sign up with your high school's
academic team and prepare to wow the competition.
Written by Jordan Meffert
Questions or comments about this
story?
E-mail Us!
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On the Web
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Pilot International
IHigh.com
OutcastSurvival.com
ABC
News.com
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Movies, Movies!
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The movies aren't always about glitz and glamour.
Sometimes they're about the nerdy girl without a prom date
or the boy in the band with dreams of catching the winning
touchdown.
Take a look at some movies that remind us how tough high
school can be.
Never
Been Kissed. Undercover reporter Josie Geller (Drew
Barrymore) gets a chance to go back to high school and heal
old scars left from her early school days when she was known
as "Josie Grossie."
Lucas.
A nerdy boy (Corey Haim) from the band, Lucas decides to
join the football team and win the heart of the head cheerleader
(Kerri Green). It's a heartwarming story about perseverance
and will.
Romy
and Michele's High School Reunion. Romy (Mira Sorvino)
and Michele (Lisa Kudrow) plan to go to their reunion and
wow all the people who picked on them. Unfortunately, their
plan is not foolproof. It's the blonde leading the blonde
in this comedy!
Heathers.
Ever felt like killing your friend because she spread a
rumor about you or stole your lipstick? Well, Veronica (Winona
Ryder) and Jason (Christian Slater) actually follow through
with it! It's a dark comedy about the hierarchy of high
school.
She's
All That. Zach (Freddie Prinze Jr.) bets his friends
he can make any girl prom queen. The guinea pig — Laney
Boggs (Rachel Leigh Cook) — the "ugliest"
girl in the school. What Zach didn't expect was to fall
for her.
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