You can be surrounded by hundreds of kids on the first day of school and still feel alone, especially if you are the new kid in class.

For shy teens and 'tweens, attending classes with people you have never met before can be frightening.

Out of curiosity, people may stare until you wonder whether you've sprouted a second head. And the thought of sitting alone in the cafeteria may make you want to skip lunch.

Making new friends may seem impossible, but arming yourself with some creative ammunition can help you get through the first few scary days of the new school year. Make a commitment to speak to at least one new person each day. Given an opportunity, people love to talk about themselves. Asking a question and staging it along with a compliment should get a conversation going.

For example: "I love your shoes (blouse, bracelet, etc.). Wherever did you find them?" is a great conversation starter for girls. Boys can try asking about things that interest them, such as sports teams and clubs.

If you ride a bus, pay attention to the kids who get off at stops near yours. They potential school chums and are also your neighbors — another avenue for starting a friendship.

Join after-school activities, such as science or literary clubs. You'll have an immediate topic of conversation based on an activity you both find interesting. Remember, the person you speak to may be shy, too.

Making a magnetic CD photo frame to hang in your locker is another way to let people know that you are an interesting person who has friends and special interests.

I found directions for this craft at Better Homes and Gardens on the Web at www.bhg.com/crafts/kids. Type rainy day projects in the search bar and you will find lots of back-to-school projects.

• 3 old CDs• 2-inch-wide ribbon, about 24 inches long• Photos of you, your friends, pets or family• Glue• Decorative-edged scissors• Patterned paper• Refrigerator magnet.Cut a refrigerator magnet into three or four pieces. Glue one to the underside of the end of the ribbon. Fold one-fourth of an inch of the ribbon over to the back and glue to secure.Cut circles of decorative, patterned paper. Position your photos over the circles and glue, then glue the circles and photos to the shiny side of the CDs.Glue the CD to the ribbon. Glue a magnet onto the back of the ribbon at the place where the CDs are positioned to help hold the ribbon on the metal locker surface.Add other embellishments if you would like.