When you don’t know which way to go, who do you ask for advice? Your parents, a friend, a school counselor? With the start of the fourth and final quarter of the school year underway, scholars at ERHS are taking this opportunity to speak out now instead of forever holding their silence. On March 20, the Raider Review sent out a Google Form allowing students struggling with friendships and romantic relationships to speak their minds without judgment. Here are some common questions, and we hope you can relate!

Disclaimer: The Raider Review Advice Column is written by students and for students. We will try our best to help you, but we are not experts on serious topics. You are in no way obligated to take our advice; we can only hope to guide you through whatever situation you are going through. If you have any follow-up questions feel free to email the Raider Review!

Q: I can’t find the right person.

-Anonymous

A: Hello, Anonymous!

Finding the right person—romantically—isn’t easy. I can’t speak from experience, but finding “the one” takes time, so don’t feel like you have to rush the process. If you’re coming out of other relationships, I suggest you wait a while before finding other people to date. If you’re new to dating, don’t feel the need to be dating someone right now. As I said, I don’t have experience in love, but this article should help with your search for a partner. I hope this helps!

Q: My old friend stopped talking to me at the beginning of last school year, despite talking a lot during the second semester of my 9th-grade year. Although I don’t care much about them and what they are doing now—especially since I’m now happy with my life—it pains me when I remember when all my effort trying to be friends with them was a waste. All I want is an apology and a reason. Is there a way to ask them that despite us not interacting anymore?

-Anonymous

A: Hey there, Anonymous!

The end of a friendship means the end of an era. It’s never easy to let friendships go, especially when they end for no apparent reason. Reach out to your friend in a less direct written format (such as email or Instagram DMs), and see if you can connect with them; if they are willing to open up, don’t start with interrogatory questions. Instead, gently ask them why they did what they did and if they want to revive their friendship with you. If they aren’t willing to open up, and you’re happy with where you are, I wouldn’t pay much attention to them. Good luck!