We’ve all been there—standing in a crowded hallway or sitting alone in the cafeteria, wishing we had the perfect thing to say to make a new friend.
Good news—sparking a conversation doesn’t have to be hard. With a few simple questions or comments, you can create meaningful connections and maybe even have some fun along the way.
Here, you’ll find some of my favorite conversation starters for various school settings. Whether it’s your first day or you’re just looking to get to know more people, these tips will make it easier.
Table of Contents
First Day Introductions
- Hi, I’m [Your Name]. What’s your name?
- Are you new to this school, too?
- What grade are you in?
- Which class are you heading to next?
- Do you know any good spots to hang out around here?
- Have you met our teacher yet?
- What’s your favorite subject?
- Did you move here recently?
- How was your last school?
- What do you like to do for fun?
- Where did you spend your summer vacation?
- Do you have any siblings at this school?
- What kind of music do you like?
- Are you into sports or any hobbies?
- Which clubs are you planning to join?
- Were you nervous about the first day?
- Have you found your locker yet?
- What’s your favorite book/movie?
- How do you usually spend your weekends?
- Do you live nearby?
Lunchtime Chats
- Want to sit together for lunch?
- What’s your favorite thing in the cafeteria?
- Have you tried the new sandwich here?
- Do you bring lunch from home often?
- Do you have any food allergies?
- What’s the best place around here to grab a snack?
- Do you like to eat quickly or take your time?
- Have you ever swapped lunch with someone?
- What’s your favorite dessert?
- Do you prefer hot or cold lunches?
- Ever tried cooking something yourself?
- What’s your go-to comfort food?
- Do you like spicy food?
- Do you follow any special diet?
- What do your friends back home typically eat?
- Did you ever skip lunch accidentally?
- How much time do we get for lunch here?
- Do you like the lunch schedule?
- Did you try the special meal today?
- What’s the weirdest food you’ve ever tasted?
Classroom Discussions
- What did you think of today’s lesson?
- Did you understand the homework?
- Can you explain this topic to me?
- What’s your favorite part of this class?
- Do you like our classroom setup?
- Have you ever had a class like this before?
- Did you find the quiz hard?
- How do you stay organized for this class?
- What strategy do you use to study?
- Did the teacher mention a project today?
- Have you done this experiment before?
- Do you prefer group work or individual tasks?
- What’s a tip you have for acing this class?
- How do you keep track of assignments?
- Did you get the same answer for this problem?
- What’s the upcoming test about?
- How do you feel about today’s discussion?
- Do you participate in class often?
- What’s a cool fact you learned here?
- Have you found any good online resources for this subject?
Extracurricular Activities
- How long have you been in this club?
- What do you like most about this sport?
- Do you have a favorite extracurricular activity?
- How do you manage your time with all these activities?
- What’s the next event for this club?
- Are you going to the practice session later?
- Which position do you play on the team?
- Have you ever competed in this activity before?
- What got you interested in this activity?
- Do we need any special gear for this?
- What other clubs are you in?
- Have you made good friends in this activity?
- What skills have you learned from this?
- Do you prefer indoor or outdoor activities?
- Ever tried starting your own club?
- How often does this group meet?
- What’s the biggest challenge in this sport?
- Are there any fees to join this club?
- Do you participate in competitions?
- What’s a memorable moment you’ve had in this club?
Group Projects and Study Sessions
- How should we divide the tasks?
- What part of the project interests you the most?
- When should we meet next to work on this?
- Do you have any ideas to start with?
- How do you think we should present this?
- Can I help you with something specific?
- What resources can we use for this project?
- When is the deadline again?
- What’s your strength in group work?
- Should we practice our presentation together?
- How do you usually prepare for group projects?
- Are you comfortable speaking in front of the class?
- What grade are you aiming for on this project?
- How should we handle different opinions?
- Do you prefer working in silence or with music?
- What tools can we use to collaborate online?
- How do you usually document your part of the project?
- Should we share our notes before the next meeting?
- How much time should we allot for each section?
- Do you have any past project experience to share?
School Events
- Are you going to the school dance this Friday?
- What did you think of yesterday’s assembly?
- Did you enjoy the last pep rally?
- Who’s performing at the talent show?
- Are you participating in the school play?
- What’s the theme for the upcoming party?
- Have you been to any school events before?
- What’s your favorite event of the year?
- Did you see the flyers for the next event?
- Are you involved in organizing any school events?
- What’s a memorable school event you attended?
- Who usually plans these events?
- Are you excited about the next sports game?
- Have you bought tickets for the concert?
- What costume are you planning for the Halloween event?
- Did you sign up for the field trip?
- What workshops are being offered this semester?
- How do you usually find out about school events?
- Are you helping out at the charity event?
- What’s the turnout like for most school events?
Teacher Interactions
- Can you help me understand this topic better?
- What’s the best way to study for your tests?
- Are there any extra credit opportunities?
- Can I discuss my project idea with you?
- What resources do you recommend for this subject?
- How can I improve my grades in this class?
- Can you explain this assignment again?
- Do you offer after-school help sessions?
- What should I focus on to do well in your class?
- How do you prefer we submit our assignments?
- Can you provide feedback on my recent test?
- What’s the most important concept in this lesson?
- How do you grade participation in class?
- Can you suggest any good books related to this topic?
- Is there a study group for this class?
- How do you organize your lesson plans?
- Can I reschedule my quiz/test?
- What do you expect from our projects?
- How do you recommend preparing for exams?
- Can we talk about my performance in class?