Dear freshman, find your people

Srithika Dasari, Nidhi Medicharla, and Elizabeth De Santiago

May 11, 2026

Finding the right people in high school can be challenging for many students. The Sidekick staff members Srithika Dasari, Nidhi Medicharla, and Elizabeth De Santiago advise freshmen on forming genuine relationships. Photo Illustration by Varshini Avula

“Dear Freshmen” is a series where a sophomore, junior and senior staff member each give personal anecdotes along with advice about a certain topic with the aim of helping the incoming sophomores and current freshmen.

In this edition of Dear Freshman, The Sidekick staffers share their advice on creating meaningful friendships and finding your place. Read more about what they have to say:

Srithika Dasari, Staff Photographer

When I walked into Geometry class on the first day of freshman year, I looked around hoping to find someone I knew. I was worried about making new friends, constantly fearing I would not find my people.

High school is the time to figure out your true friends, which can be intimidating. One important thing I learned is not to be afraid to talk to new people. It might feel scary and awkward at first, but that is normal.

The worst thing that could happen is you do not become friends, which is OK. I have had conversations with people last year that didn’t click as well as I was hoping for. However, that is inevitable and surrounding yourself with people you like talking to makes a true friendship.

At the beginning of the school year, I made a goal to make at least one friend in each of my classes instead of staying quiet. If I didn’t know anyone, I would find a seat and introduce myself to start a conversation.

Many assume others are intimidating, but that is not true. In fact, many people are very kind. In my Geometry class, I didn’t know anyone but through assigned seats and conversations I made some really good friends.

As a freshman, lunch also gave me freedom and time to make new friends. During lunch, many clubs host meetings. One of the clubs I was involved in was LEO Club where I met so many people with similar interests that I am still friends with now.

As you make more friends, they can also introduce you to new people which makes meeting others easier.

Finding your people does not happen right away, but if you try and put yourself out there, it will happen.

Nidhi Medicharla, Staff Writer

Prior to freshman year, I thought high school was about academics and accomplishments. Instead, it became a year that centered around connection and finding a place where I belonged. The friendships I built grew into some of the most genuine and dependable relationships to this day.

I know it does not start that way. Walking into a new school with new people can feel scary. Everything is unfamiliar and it can seem like everyone else already has their own place. But trust me, there is always someone who is in the same position as you.

It is easy to remain quiet and stick to what you think is comfortable. But finding your people doesn’t just happen automatically. It happens by taking that first step.

For me, finding my people meant taking initiative and getting involved in things I was genuinely interested in. Joining clubs and activities like LEO Club or being part of the school basketball team gave me the chance to meet new people who shared similar interests. This made conversations feel more natural. Over time, those interactions turned into real friendships.

At the same time, I learned that not every space is meant for you, and that is OK. If a group makes you feel uncomfortable and makes you feel like you have to change who you are to fit in, it’s not where you belong.The right people won’t make you question anything about yourself and they will accept you for who you are.

Finding your people will not happen at once and does take time, but when you find them, you will feel it. It is in the way you can be yourself without thinking twice about it. So trust yourself and know the right friendships will happen when you take that initiative.

The right people will not change you, they will remind you why you never needed to change anything about yourself.

Elizabeth De Santiago, Executive Features Editor

I thought I had found my best friends during freshman year. I thought that we would be friends forever, have our grad parties together, go to prom in the same group, but more often than not, I found myself feeling drained around them.

My role was the clown of the group. I was funny and would make them laugh, but often at my own expense. There’s nothing wrong with a little self deprecating joke, but over and over and over being the butt of the joke gets hurtful. Even when the subject had nothing to do with my failures, they were somehow slipped into the conversation.

Real friends don’t drain you.

Through the years, I have learned the value of true friendship and it starts with respecting yourself and your boundaries.

It is OK to let go of long-term friends as you grow up. High school is an awkward time where people are figuring out who they are, and sometimes people change. Real friends are the people who uplift you and encourage you even when you’re down.

Find groups where you feel have goals and values that align with your own. For me, this group was The Sidekick, where the people around me are creative, driven and encouraging. The friends I have made in the program are people I am excited to see everyday. I know we have each other’s backs when problems arise.

Surrounding yourself with positive people can make your outlook on life much brighter.

Now my friends and I make jokes about each other, but we communicate when a joke hits too close to home. At the center of every joke is love and respect for each other.

Find people who love you for who you are.

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About the Contributors

Srithika Dasari, Staff Photographer

Srithika Dasari is a sophomore at Coppell High School and a first-year staff photographer for The Sidekick. She decided to join to expand her knowledge and skills in photography, make new friends, and learn more about her interests. In her free time, she likes hanging out with friends and family, reading, listening to music, and making art. You can contact her at [email protected]

Nidhi Medicharla, Staff Writer

Nidhi is a junior and a second-year staff writer for The Sidekick. She joined The Sidekick to enhance her writing and visual media abilities. In her free time, Nidhi likes to listen to music, specifically Indie or R&B. You can find Nidhi hanging out with friends or watching the Dallas Mavericks play. Nidhi also loves to meet new people and know what their interests are. You can find her at @nidhii_medicharla on instagram, or email through [email protected]

Elizabeth De Santiago, Executive Features Editor

Elizabeth “Lizzie” De Santiago is a senior and executive features editor for The Sidekick. Her passion for writing stems from her childhood love of writing fictional stories. Throughout her time on The Sidekick, the thing she values most is the human connections she gets to make with people through her stories. Outside of The Sidekick, she likes to listen to obscure music genres, skateboard, draw and drive her red Jeep Islander, Lilo, around town. Some of her favorite artists include Twenty One Pilots, JPEGMAFIA, Charli XCX and Denzel Curry. Elizabeth loves trying anything new especially when it comes to creative outlets she uses to express herself. Her favorite food of all time is takoyaki and her favorite drink is a Baja Blast from Taco Bell. You can contact her by email at [email protected].com.

Aashi Panchal, Staff Writer

Aashi Panchal is a junior at Coppell High School and second-year staff writer on The Sidekick. Though she joined to pursue her passion of writing, Aashi has expanded her horizons to include photography and videography as well. When she’s not working on stories, you’ll probably find her curating her perfect earring stack on Pinterest, binge watching procedural dramas on TV or grabbing a coffee with her friends. You can contact Aashi at [email protected] or on Instagram (@_aashipanchal_).

Coppell Student Media

Coppell Student Media

Coppell Student Media

Dear freshman, find your people

Coppell Student Media

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