I hate school so much (yr 8)

Hi, I'm sorry to hear that you're finding secondary school tough. In many ways I can relate to your situation (Year 8 was also my worst year socially and I went through a bad period with most of my friends being outside of school). However, things did get much better for me and I'm sure they will for you too. It is so important to have people you can hang out with because your social life can (as you said) impact you academically and without one it's hard to really enjoy school. Perhaps try to go back with your old group of friends from year 7, as you were happy with them and it's not like you're a stranger trying to get in to their group as you were already in before. However, from what you've told me about this over girl who is being mean to you, you just don't need that and there is no point in having that negative and toxic friendship. I don't know if your school does this as well, but in year 9 we all had new classes and lesson sets, so it was much easier to make friends with people in your new class as not many people knew each other that well already. I met my best friend in my new lesson set because we just really got along and became fast friends. If your school does that, then it's a really good opportunity to meet people you hadn't before. However, I've also found that it's easier to make new friends in clubs and extra curricular activities. If there is a filmmaking club, then definitely join it as you'll find people who enjoy what you enjoy. Even just trying a new club may seem scary at first it could really help you, especially if it requires you to interact with the other members as that gives you an excuse to get to know each other. In general, try to be friendly with everyone, even if they aren't in your friendship group, because it's good to have people to talk to if you need to. Even the people next to you in class, try to make conversation with them because it is better to feel comfortable with someone than awkward with them. Try to be confident with new people but at the same time don't try to be someone your not because people can tell and it feels so much better to just be yourself. If you're slightly shyer in person, then social media, like instagram and snapchat (what ever is popular where you are) can be useful as you can talk outside of school and sometimes it can be less stressful and feel easier than face to face. I'd say at the moment, try to get back in with your old friends, even if you know you don't want to be with them for the next five years because that's probably easier than making new friends and you said you were happy with them before so that would be great. Of course try to make new friends (and maybe go to clubs and stuff) and if later you'd prefer to hang out with them then you can but at the moment it's important to have someone to spent lunchtime because it's going to be much easier and feel much better than being by yourself. Good luck, I know it can be scary but I believe that eventually things do work out