Be assertive and outgoing. Friends aren’t just going to throw themselves at you, especially if you’ve had a not-so-popular image for years. Even if you're shy, you’re going to have to come out of your shell a little bit and put yourself in social situations. Don’t be afraid to go and sit at a new table at lunch, or strike up a conversation with the person next to you in study hall. Avoid thinking about whether or not you’re "cool" enough to talk to a certain person, rather, let that person see why they should want to talk to you.

Study hard. Being popular doesn’t mean being stupid. Raise your hand in class, do your homework, and don’t be afraid to be known as a smart person. Just be sure you leave plenty of time for social activities. Let people know that academics are important to you, but are not your whole life. Show them you know how to have fun