Instead of looking for relationships and trying to impress immature kids who seem cool, stay home with your friends. Find activities you can do together, even if that means watching a movie and eating ice cream. Social media is good for maintaining friendships, but be sure to spend plenty of time in-person with friends.
Take as much time off as you can from social media to spend time with friends or do activities. Don’t try hard to impress others. You don’t need to compete to take wild pictures and post status updates. Instead, having fun and doing what comes naturally will come through in the pictures and on the page and make you seem confident and cool. It’s easy to respond quickly and angrily online, but this opens you up for retaliation. Instead, turn off computer and calm down first.
Having common ground with someone helps you begin a conversation and become their friend. [3] X Research source
Remember that the things that look bad now won’t mean anything later on, so you’ll end up laughing about many of these memories anyway.
This also goes for anything anyone else tells you. If someone tells you a secret, the last person you want to be is the one who can’t be trusted. Keep it secret. If it’s important, talk to a trusted adult.
The important step to being active is finding something you enjoy. Make friends while doing it. You’ll become happier, more confident, and therefore appear cooler. Give up on worrying a lot about what other people think of your activities.
You don’t have to announce that you love school. Simply get the work done and do the best you can.
The risks others take seem cool now, but the time spent being superficial and partying makes you miss out on long-term friendships. [5] X Research source The kids who socially strive to be cool by doing things like shoplifting, cutting class, and having relationships lose their coolness as you progress in life and they don’t. [6] X Research source
Greet people warmly without offering any disrespect. Do your best to be personable. Avoid talking behind someone else’s back or other sorts of bullying behavior. Don’t forget to be friendly to adults, too. Although you want to get away from parents and teachers, showing hostility isn’t impressive and leads to more trouble.
After you’ve identified the problems and given your perspective, listen to the other person’s perspective. Don’t use what someone else says to provoke or attack. Instead, find common interests and use these to make a decision. Showing that you’re in control and have leadership skills will make you seem cool and leadership skills can be used to impress adults.
Be sure to wash your hair. If oily hair is a problem, choose shampoo and conditioner that is designed for oily hair. If you plan on using perfume or cologne, avoid bath products that leave a strong scent.
Ask your parents if you haven’t started yet, and let them show you how to shave properly. Lather up shave gel on the damp, freshly-washed areas you will shave. Take a safe but sharp razor and move in the direction of the hair growth. For underarms, for instance, this requires moving the razor in all angles. For girls, gently stroke up your legs. For the upper lip, stroke downwards. For boys, start from the side of the face and move in the direction of the hair growth. This is most often downwards until you get to the throat.
Avoid deodorant that is very smelly. Smell is a powerful sense, and a bad smell is a sure way to be considered uncool. Try antiperspirants if needed. Many deodorants are also antiperspirants, which prevent sweating. For excessive sweating, choose a brand that has more than ten percent aluminum in it. [9] X Research source
The best areas to put on fragrance are warm areas such as the neck, lower jaw, chest, and shoulders. Start with one spray or dab at first and let the fragrance rest. Rubbing it in makes the smell weaker. Go slow. Avoid using too much. Your fragrance should not be detectable from far away and it should not smother those around you.
For inspiration, ask your hairdresser or parents. Also look at what celebrities and cool kids around you do, but remember that the best style will be uniquely you. Products such as gel or straightener devices are an option, but be wary of copying a bland style that those around you try. [11] X Research source
Try to stick to minimums, such as small containers of lip gloss and eyeliner. Have your parent or a makeup counter clerk show you how to apply makeup properly. Instead of covering your face, get used to your own skin. Learn to love it and gain confidence from your natural appearance. This will give you a coolness factor that makeup cannot provide.
Find clothes that fit you well. That means your jeans shouldn’t be skin-tight, but they also shouldn’t be baggy. Girls, avoid short skirts and thin tops that will get you in trouble. Try not to look like a typical student. This means limiting wearing what others are wearing, such as school logos, bland jeans, or worn-out shirts. Look to others for ideas, but remember to make your own style instead of copying that of a popular kid. If you wear a uniform, all you can do is try to change the uniform in alternative ways. Accessories are a good way to make an individual statement.
Instead of wearing flip-flops or worn-out sneakers, find shoes of different designs and materials and match them to your outfit. In winter months, try to avoid puffy coats, but don’t sacrifice warmth. Choose a backpack, handbag, and school supplies with designs and colors that appeal to you and compliment your clothes. Hair accessories and jewelry provide a great opportunity to apply color and designs in a way that displays your individuality.
