Texting
You sent a message meant for your friend… but it accidentally went to your teacher.
Send a quick follow-up: “Sorry, that message wasn’t meant for you—please disregard.” Then move on. Do not get stuck on it or continue to message about it.
You post something and then worry all night about what people think of it.
Solution:
Ask yourself: “Is this harmful or inappropriate?” If not, leave it. If it truly bothers you, delete it and move on.
You walk up to a group and they suddenly go quiet.
Solution:
Don’t assume the worst. Join naturally: “Hey, what are you guys talking about?” If it feels uncomfortable, it’s okay to step away.
You are in a bad mood today and your friend wants to talk to you.
1. Explain to your friend you are feeling down
2. Ask friend to do something together that will help you feel better
Everyone is getting invited to a party where people have said there might not be any parents there. You get invited by some of your friends..
1. Make an excuse that you are busy that night
2. Express that you don't like breaking your parent’s rules and don't want to go
3. Tell them, no thanks
You send a joke in a group chat, but no one responds.
Solution:
Let it go—don’t double text to explain it. Change the topic later or respond to someone else.
You have older posts that don’t reflect who you are now.
Solution:
Review your account and delete or archive anything that could be misunderstood or harmful.
You are at a school dance and you want to ask someone to dance with you but you they he/she might not want to.
1. Ask anyway
2. Ask your friend to go with you to ask him/her
You are angry at your friend because they were gossiping about you behind your back.
1. Tell your friend "I don't want you to talk about me behind my back, gossiping isn't what friends do."
2. Talk to friend about how they hurt you
3. Ask your friend to stop
You feel overwhelmed with the amount of work you have to do for school. You keep turning assignments in late and forget to bring everything you need for each class you have.
1. Ask your parents to help you get organized
2. Use a calendar/schedule to help you keep you organized
3. Make to-do list of what assignments are coming up and what supplies you need for each class
Someone opens your message but doesn’t reply for hours, and you start overthinking.
Solution:
Wait it out. People get busy. If needed later, send one calm follow-up like: “Hey, just checking if you saw this.”
You post something when you’re upset or angry about a situation at school.
Solution:
Pause before posting. Wait at least 30 minutes (or longer). If it still feels important, reword it in a neutral way—or don’t post at all.
Your friend gave you a t-shirt for your birthday, but it's not your style or something you would normally wear. Is there a way you could tell them you don't like it without hurting their feelings?
You can tell them thank you without saying how much you love the t-shirt.
Ex. I love that you thought to give me a gift. It makes me feel special that you gave me a gift. Thanks for celebrating my birthday with me.
You and your friend both tried out for the school basketball team. Your friend didn't make the team but you did.
1. Talk with your friend. Sympathize with him for not making the team.
2. Do something for your friend to cheer him up (do his/her favorite activity
You try something new (club, class, sport) and feel behind everyone else.
Solution:
Stick with it longer than feels comfortable. Most people improve with time, and effort stands out more than initial skill.
You reread your message and realize it might sound rude, even though you didn’t mean it that way.
Solution:
Send a clarification: “Hey, I didn’t mean that to sound rude—what I meant was…” Add an emoji if appropriate.
You’re in the background of someone else’s post doing something awkward, and they didn’t ask before posting it.
Solution:
Message them privately: “Hey, can you take that down? I’m not comfortable with it.” If needed, untag or report.
You’re included in a group, but they sometimes make jokes that cross the line.
Solution:
Don’t laugh along just to fit in. You can stay neutral or say, “That’s kind of messed up.” If it continues, spend less time in that group.
A friend seems upset with you, but you don’t know why.
Solution:
Ask directly but calmly: “Hey, did I do something? I just want to make sure we’re good.” Avoid guessing or involving others.
Your parents keep asking you to do your chores, but you are so busy with school work and friends that you never make time to do them.
1. Pick a day and time that you will do them each week and put it in a schedule
2. Put reminders in your phone/on sticky notes
A friend sends you a screenshot of someone else’s private message and expects you to react or take their side.
Solution:
Stay neutral. Say something like, “I don’t really know the full situation,” and avoid getting pulled into drama or sharing it further
Someone encourages you to post something inappropriate because “it’ll get a lot of likes.”
Solution:
Don’t trade long-term reputation for short-term attention. Say no or ignore it—likes aren’t worth consequences.
You and your friends are talking to a teacher on campus. You notice he has a piece of toilet paper stuck to the bottom of his shoe.
1. Wait till the conversation is over and then mention it to the teacher when the other students are gone
2. Quietly tell the teacher he has toilet paper on his shoe when the other students aren't paying attention
You feel different from others (academically, socially, or interests) and don’t know where you fit.
Solution:
Look for smaller groups or activities where your strengths show. You don’t need to fit everywhere—just somewhere that works.
You forgot your money and you are already in the check-out line at the grocery store. What do you do, and say?
Do: you can get out of line, or tell the employee that you need to come back for your items. Say: "I left my money in my car, can I save my items here and come back in a few minutes?" What else?