There’s nothing better than finding your people—you know, the ones who’ll obsess over your fave fandoms and send you memes that brighten any bad day. But finding that true blue crew? Not always the easiest.
That’s why we’re pulling inspo from Acception, a new YA graphic novel by Coco Ouwerkerk. Ready to find the crew for you? Try these tips…
- Drop a fit check compliment
Every gal needs her gang, but if you’re anything like high school freshman Arcus from Acception, finding the courage to strike up a convo can feel anything but easy.
So take a page out of Arcus’ (fashion design) book and compliment a potential new pal’s outfit. Are they rocking a concert tee from your fave band’s latest tour? Hello, shared playlists and late-night jam sessions. Sporting theme park merch from their summer trip? Instant storytime. Thrifted their look from head to toe? You might’ve just found your secondhand squadmate.
- Find your vibe tribe
One of the best (and most slept-on) ways to find your crew is by joining a club. It might not seem groundbreaking, but trust—it’s where shared interests turn into real connections.
Whether you’re a coding queen fluent in JavaScript or a crochet girlie who lives for cozy vibes and creative projects, there’s a squad out there waiting for you. The coding club? Full of tech-savvy BFFs who totally get your inner geek. The crochet crew? Get ready to swap patterns, share inspo and fangirl over your latest granny square. Bonus: Clubs come with built-in hangouts, so making convo feels natural—not nerve-wracking.
- Be present IRL
Social media might be just a tap away, but the best friendships happen IRL. We get it—putting your phone down isn’t exactly easy but when you look up from the scroll, you open yourself up to real-life moments that could lead to something special.
The fancy footwork in your dance class make you feel like you have two left feet? Sure, you could fumble through the latest routine…or you could turn to the girl standing next to you. A simple “Hey, did you get this part?” can be all it takes to spark a convo. Before you know it, you’re bonding over your shared confusion, exchanging pointers and maybe even planning a rehearsal sesh that turns into a Starbucks run and inside jokes.
- Don’t wait for the perfect time—create it
So you’ve found your people—yay! Now comes the next step: keeping those friendships strong, even when life starts to get really busy. Between summer internships, beach vacays, family trips and everything in between, finding time to hang out can feel like trying to solve a scheduling puzzle. That’s why setting a regular hangout—yes, like actually putting it in your calendar—is a total friendship lifesaver.
It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Maybe it’s Saturday morning café runs, evening walks around the neighborhood or a long-distance virtual movie night. The key? Make it a routine. When you prioritize time for each other (even in the middle of summer chaos), you’re showing your besties that the bond you’ve built is important—and worth protecting. When you carve out intentional BFF time, you’re making space for those deep convos, silly stories and spontaneous laughter that make friendships sooo worth it.
So pull up your Google Cal, text the group chat and get your plans on lock. Your future self (and your besties) will thank you.
Feeling inspired? Check out Acception and get ready to find a girl gang that just *gets* you.
Want more?
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💤 30 sleepover bonding questions to ask your besties
👯♀️ How to keep in touch with a friend who’s moving away
