Typical. You're finally on speaking terms with that boy you've been smiling at for ages, you've got a great group of friends and even your teachers don't think you're totally stupid. But of course, your parents have decided to completely ruin your life by telling you that not only are they selling your childhood home, but you're also moving lock, stock and barrel to a new county and a brand new school!

So how are you going to survive? Our guide will make sure that not only will you be more popular than Kavya, but you'll also manage to keep your old friends too.

There's nothing scarier than walking into a room full of people, who you not only don't know, but they all know each other well. Where will you sit? Will anyone talk to you? Will they laugh at your wonky fringe that you tried to trim yourself?

Undoubtedly your parents have told you to 'just be yourself'. Of course, that's ridiculous advice. But, maybe they have a point. After all, your friends at your last school, in your old life, liked you, so you can't be that bad.

Remember that it takes time to get to know people. Don't tell everyone your secrets in the first few days. Take time to find out whom you can trust, and more importantly, who you want to know your deep, dark past.

Making friends
Try not to be intimidated. Remind yourself that no one's laughing at you. Even if it seems as though that group of girls in the corner are whispering and giggling, it's more than likely they're talking about something that happened on the weekend or about some boy.

It may be a cliché, but the best way to make friends, real friends, are to find ones that you have something in common with. Find out whether your school or year has a netball team and turn up to practice. At the very least, it'll give you a starting point for conversation and who knows where that can lead?

Most of all, don't just be yourself, be the person you've always wanted to be. Starting a new school may be daunting, but it's also a great way to turn over a new leaf.