Middle school life comes with more academic and social responsibility which can feel scary or challenging. Don't let all these changes stop you from having an awesome middle school experience.
The Social Scene
As you and every other kid try to figure out who they are, you might worry you won't fit in or you make many friends. It's totally normal to feel some anxiety about new social situations and friendships, so you're not alone. These tips can help you find loyal, fun friends you vibe with and have an awesome middle school experience.
Go on an Introduction Tour
While it's always comfortable to hang out with people you already know, being open and friendly to students you haven't met before is how you make new friends. Don't be afraid to smile often and introduce yourself to new people. If you look and seem approachable, other kids will be more open to meeting you. Start conversations with simple questions about your classes or compliments on their style. Once you've met some new kids, introduce them to your old friends to widen your social circle.
Keep Your Old Friends Close
Don't get so caught up in new friendships you forget about your old friends. These are the kids you've known you for a long time, and you are friends for a reason. Introduce new friends to old friends and maintain both types of friendship to grow your social circle. Help everyone stay connected by keeping something simple and matching on you all day like wearing a specific color bracelet or using the exact same pens. Anytime one of you finds a new cool pen to use, grab extras and slip them in your friend's supplies when she walks by.
Hobby Up
Middle schools offer tons of extracurricular activities based on nearly anything you're into. Joining a club or other after school activity or sport can help you make new friends who have common interests and get to know more kids. These groups are also fun and help you find get comfortable in middle school.
Let Your Happy Self Shine
Try to keep a positive attitude, including body language and facial expressions, as you walk through the halls and you'll feel more approachable to other kids. If someone you don't know introduces themselves, start up a conversation. Invite someone who is sitting alone to join you for lunch or ask someone with a common interest to join a club you like. What's the worst that can happen; you won't be friends? No big deal, you won't be friends with everyone you ever meet.
Find Your Niche
In terms of classes, you might have more choices in middle school which means you can pick a few classes you know you'll love. For example, if you like music, you can take a band, choir, or orchestra class. If you enjoy drawing, take an art class. If you like to build things, take a shop class. This confidence boost can help you through the whole day because you won't be bored in class, and you'll be doing something you're good at.
Love You
The best way to make friends is to be yourself. Instead of trying to impress people by acting or dressing in a manner you think they'll like, show everyone who you truly are by letting your personality shine through. Then you'll know the friends you make actually like being around you. Build your self-confidence by leaving little notes somewhere secret but frequently used like inside your closet or dresser drawers. Every day, write one great thing about yourself on a sticky note and hang it in your secret location. In no time, you'll have tons of reminders of how great you are, and you'll boost your confidence every day.
Surviving Academia
Middle school classes will be more difficult and require more homework than elementary grades. Stay on top of your classes with these tips to help you thrive academically.
Be Heard
Even if it feels uncomfortable to talk in class, participating helps you and others understand the concepts better. Raise your hand and ask questions if you need clarification from the teacher and participate in games and discussions. When you fully understand what's been taught it will be easier to get your homework done quickly and keep grades up. Get your friends involved in a little competition by keeping track of how many times you each speak up in class. Each of you can keep a little note with tally marks then compare your scores with each other at the end of the day to come up with an average for each person. Think of a fun prize the "losers" have to give the winner like carrying their books the next day or each buying them a treat at lunch.
Get Secretarial
Taking notes is a great way to remind yourself of what you learned. It also helps focus your attention during class, so you don't drift off into a daydream. Use class notes to make homework time faster or to help with studying for tests and big projects. Create a shorthand to make note taking faster and more fun like using emojis for common terms or using the first letter of each syllable in a word instead of writing out long words.
Give Homework Top Priority
Even if you're busy with sports and other activities, your main job in life right now is to be a student. Set aside time every day for homework and do it in a place where you don't have any distractions. When you set yourself up for success, homework won't seem like such a drag.
Study Hard
Find a study style that works best for you and make it a habit. Make flashcards, join a study group, or read over your notes daily so the information can sink in. Make study groups more fun by turning them into a text or instant message challenge when you create a group chat and take turns posting questions. Whoever answers first with the right answer wins a social media plug from the others. Tests help teachers and parents see if you're actually learning what's being taught, but don't get too stressed about tests because they don't necessarily make or break your future.
It Takes a Village
If you are struggling with any part of any class, don't wait until you're so far behind that catching up seems impossible. There are many places you can go for help. Ask questions in class, talk to your teacher after class, ask your friends for help, or see if your parents can set you up with a private tutor. You can find homework help from reliable online sources, but it might be best to look for local help first.
Keeping It All Together
Between new classes, more work, extracurricular activities, and your social life you're responsible for a lot more of your life than ever before. Get organized and stay organized throughout the year and life won't seem so overwhelming.
Put Notes in Their Place
Keep notes for each class separate from other classes by using a different color spiral notebook for every class or one large binder with dividers for each class. If you're using spiral notebooks, have a matching folder for each class to keep all the notes and assignments so you can look them over before tests. Avoid any awful spills in crowded hallways by stretching an elastic headband vertically and one horizontally over the middle of your notebook or binder. This way if you fall, nothing can spill out and slide down the hall.
Plan Ahead
Some schools give you an academic planner to get organized. If yours doesn't, you can find them at most stores, sometimes called an agenda. You can also make one by printing calendar pages by the day, week, or month and stapling them inside a fun folder. If you've got a smartphone, use the virtual calendar to keep track of your entire life. Include homework assignments, tests, project due dates, games, ceremonies, and social activities all in one place. When you've got it all together, you'll have less stress and more time for fun.
Prepare Yourself
Make sure you go to class with all the supplies you'll need for that class. Use one shelf of your locker or a compartment in your backpack for extra supplies. Then, transfer a few pens, pencils, and erasers to your binder as soon as you run out so you'll never be caught unprepared. Ask your favorite teacher to stash some of your extra supplies in his or her classroom so you'll always know where to find what you need.
Keep It Clean
The time between classes is short so keeping your locker clean helps you quickly find what you need and get to class on time. Pick a place to keep materials for each class and put things back in that spot every time. Buy locker shelves and organizational containers to help you keep it all together. If you've got hooks inside your locker, use drawstring bags to separate supplies for each class. Put your book, notebook, and pens for each class in a separate bag. Then, when it's time to switch classes, you can grab the bag you need and hang up the one from your last class.
Challenge Time
Middle school can be lots of fun, but it also comes with new and complicated feelings. Keep your challenges in check with these helpful tips.
Beat Bullying
Experiencing bullying can make school a real drag. If you're being bullied, keep in mind there are ways to stop the situation or make your days more tolerable. Use counselors, parents, and teachers to help you figure out what to do if you are bullied. Talk with your friends and see if they can help you get through these tough times.
Chasing Crushes
Chances are you've started to notice who's cute in your school. These feelings are perfectly normal. Middle school crushes, friendships, and relationships are constantly changing so just remember to keep an open mind. Although rejection feels awful at the moment, you can move on from these feelings especially when you've got an active social life full of other people to occupy your time. Middle school loves aren't meant to last, although they sometimes do, so don't take things too personally if a boyfriend or girlfriend scenario doesn't work out how you hoped.
Don't Be a Lemming
As you all gain more independence, you may hear about other kids drinking, smoking, taking drugs, or engaging in other risky behaviors. Some of your friends may even ask you to participate. Giving in to peer pressure can affect the rest of your life, so think twice before agreeing to something that makes you uncomfortable. If friends are pressuring you to do something you know is wrong, stand your ground and try to convince them to follow your lead instead.
Embrace the Change
You might feel self-conscious as your body grows and develops, but remember everyone else is changing too. Taking care of yourself is important and paying attention to personal hygiene by showering regularly, wearing clean clothes, and using deodorant can help make these changes less embarrassing. Talk with your close friends or a trusted adult about any concerns you have with your body and keep in mind your uniqueness is what makes you special.
Locker Room Etiquette
This might be your first time regularly undressing in front of other kids your age so it's normal to feel a bit uncomfortable. Many of the other kids might feel just like you do and probably aren't even paying attention to you because they're so worried about how they are feeling. If you're very uncomfortable, you may be able to change in a closed bathroom stall or learn to keep a towel on as you dress and undress. If you can't muster the courage to brave the showers, keep some cleansing wipes, deodorant, and dry shampoo in your locker so you can still clean up after all that sweating.
Surviving and Thriving in Middle School
Whether the challenges of middle school and junior high school are academic or social, take control of your experience and make it great. Stay true to yourself and use these tips to make middle school a place where you thrive, not just survive.
