Dear Agatha, 

My friend has a boyfriend but is in love with her best friend, what should she do?

I would try very hard not to get involved with the boyfriend or the best friend she’s in love with. Try to avoid telling either of them anything about your friend even though it feels like the right thing to do. I would talk to the friend about the situation and try to not make them feel cornered. If they don’t want to listen to you then it will become their own personal learning experience. 

Dear Agatha,

My friends recently have been being mean to me and telling me that boys aren’t going to like me. What do I do?

Sincerely, Sad Student

I know it is hard to stand up to a group of girls sometimes, especially when they are your friends but the best way to prove them wrong is to get boys’ attention. Not that it is necessary but what else can they say if you do that? Girls are jealous people so don’t take it personally and stand up for yourself, life is too short to let people walk all over you. 

Dear Agatha,

 My close guy friend moved away and we both like each other. What should I do? 

Sincerely, Lovesick friend

I think distance can work if you guys both put in equal amounts of effort. Since you guys were close previously it’s pretty much predestined that you’re going to stay in touch. I really believe that as long as you’re both into it and like each other a lot it will work well and will blossom beautifully!

Dear Agatha,

One of my teachers is really messing up my grades and not giving me credit for what I work on. I’ve approached them many times and it’s impossible to talk to them. What should I do?

Sincerely, Frustrated Student

This is a difficult situation because it depends so much on the class. I think you and your teacher need to have a conversation or an email thread that entails exactly what you need to get graded (PowerSchool assignment title, etc). If this doesn’t work, I would try to catch the teacher before/after class and just nicely remind them. People don’t like to do things they feel like they’re being coerced into! Good luck. 

Dear Agatha,

I have a cute neighbor but I don’t know how to approach her to get her number and get to know her better. What should I do?

Sincerely, A student with no rizz

It’s important to try and be her friend before acting romantically. If you go to the same school this could be simply by just snapping her and asking about a class. I think the most important thing is to not be creepy. That’s going to push her away no matter how nonchalant you think you’re being. 

Dear Agatha,

My mom keeps making stricter rules for me than they were for my brother when he was in high school (I can’t stay up past 11 while my brother could stay up as long as he wanted, etc.). Whenever I try to bring up the difference, she says that it’s for my health, but I actively try to work out and use a healthy diet, unlike my brother when he was in school. What should I do?

Sincerely, Conflicted Student

Your mom might be making stricter rules for you because she’s sincerely worried about your health. If you want her to make less strict rules, you could try and show her how responsible you are. If this doesn’t work, try appealing to her and reasoning with her. Depending on your age, you may almost be ready to go to college, where you’ll need to make your own decisions without her guidance. 

Dear Agatha,

I like this person but I know they don’t like me back, and I can’t get over them. What should I do?

Sincerely, Pathetic student.

This is extremely difficult to remedy unless you go entirely no contact. I know it’s difficult to cut someone out of your life who you have such strong feelings toward, but it’s going to be difficult to rid the feelings if you’re constantly talking about/to the person. I know that no contact feels dramatic but it gives you and your feelings a separation and you and the person have a chance to become friends again when you’re over them. 

Dear Agatha,

I need some advice. There is this guy that I have begun to become friends with, and he is super nice and funny. The issue is I think I am starting to like him. How do I know if he likes me back or if we are just friends? I don’t want to overstep, especially if he sees us as just friends, but I also don’t want to regret not telling him about my feelings for him. What should I do?

Sincerely, Stumped Student

I would get progressively closer to him and try to act/say things to him that make him feel special but still leave some room for him to think. If you have mutual friends, try to get one of them to ask him if he thinks of you like this. With this combination, he hopefully would get the hint.

Dear Agatha,

The girl I like friend zoned me! Should we stay friends, or should I just move on?

Sincerely, Sad Student

Being friend-zoned is not a bad thing! I truly think that it was probably for the best, it’s better than being led on. Having solid friends in high school is very important and difficult. Keep her as a friend, you’ll regret it if you don’t. 

Dear Agatha,

This girl that I used to be friends with keeps coming up to me asking to be my friend again. What should I say?

Sincerely, Sad Student.

Unless she really did something evil, I don’t see the harm in being on good terms with someone. I don’t think that you guys need to be super close, but having another mutual friend is never a bad thing. Just tell her you would love to be friends again!