How to Be Popular in Middle School

Most people at some time or another have dreamed of being the popular kid in school. The head cheerleader, the jock or the class clown all make a name for themselves and everyone seems to love them. Being popular in middle school is much easier than it sounds. Just follow a few basic steps and finally see what it feels like to be the cool kid.

Instructions

1. First determine your motivations for wanting to be popular. Ask yourself if your desire for popularity stems from low self-esteem or shame. If it does, then work first and foremost on your self esteem and personal worth.

2. Be friendly to everyone, even people that other people think are weird or different. If you yourself are weird or different, realize that everyone is weird in their own way. Become involved in school activities and make yourself more visible to the general school population.

3. Locate a talent or special skill that you have. Whether your skill is telling jokes, drawing, singing, playing soccer or knitting, showcase your skill in a humble way. Affiliate yourself with all groups and learn how to mesh well with anyone by using good listening skills and sincerity.

4. Distinguish yourself amongst your teachers as a good student. Volunteer to help with classroom or school activities that will help you to become more focal to other students. Cultivate a personal style that you feel goes well with your personality.

5. Be yourself and have fun. Maintain your strong sense of self and individuality yet get along harmoniously with most everyone. Join school clubs, sporting teams and student government to establish yourself as someone who makes a difference at your middle school and to set you apart from the average student.

Tips & Warnings

• Joining the cheerleading squad and football team are great ways to increase popularity. However talent can be showcased in many ways; great musicians, artists and politicians also have many opportunities for popularity.

• Cultivate humility and an open mind and keep it as you start to become more popular. The more humble someone is the more likely it will be that people will gravitate to them.

• Notice the current cultural theme of popularity, such as emo, jock, preppy or punk. Cultivate the qualities that you identify with on a personal level, since people will associate you with what is "popular" in mainstream culture, while still being yourself.

• Do not gain popularity through drug and alcohol abuse or through sexual promiscuity. This behavior will ultimately lead to self-destruction and social isolation.

• Do not gain popularity by making fun of or ridiculing another student. While you may look cool in the moment, ultimately, you do more harm than good.

Resources

• More about issues concerning teens on the Kid's Health website