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The remaining Conley Commentaries this week are about back to school. If you know someone school age, please share these with them.
CONLEY COMMENTARY (WSAU) – One of the most important non-academic lessons to learn in school is making friends.
For the younger kids in grade school, it’s easy but still requires some courage.
Parents, practice this with your kids. “Hi, I’m Chris. What’s your name?” And then, “Let’s play at recess.” There are some kids who are cringing right now. C’mon Chris. That’s not how it works. Actually, that’s exactly how it works. If the other someone isn’t friendly back, move on to someone else. Try it ten times, and you’ll probably have seven or eight friends.
Making new friends is a little more difficult in middle of high school. But, early in the school year, try going up to someone and just say “hi” – and see what happens. Bonus points if you go up to someone who is different than you.
Why should you try this? Because meeting and introducing yourself and forming relationships with other people is an important life skill. You might as well learn it while you’re in school. If you continue on to college, you’ll probably be assigned to a group project with people who are different from you. At work you’ll be alongside people who are different. Your career depends on being able to work with them. And, in case you haven’t noticed, our nation is getting more diverse. Just living your life day-in and day-out will bring you in contact with people who aren’t the same as you.
Learning how to make friends and form relationships is a life skill. Might as well start learning it in school.
Chris Conley
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