It's completely normal to feel both excited and anxious when starting a new school. The idea of being bullied can be really scary. A lot of people share those fears, but there are often many supportive people around, like teachers, counselors, and friends who can help if things get tough.

Making friends and getting involved in extracurriculars made a big difference in feeling connected and comfortable at school. It's great that I've found a way to meet people from different classes and grades—that can really help build a supportive network.

Music and volleyball offer great ways to express myself and connect with other learners. Scoring points for volleyball made me popular at school, I have lots of friends now.

It can be tricky to build genuine friendships when you're popular, but it's great that I've found someone who appreciates both music and my company. It's cool how we balance each other out—his instrumental skills complement my singing, and it's always fun to have a friend to share interests with, even if you have different talents.