Get Ready for Eighth Grade
8th grade is the real deal. Everything you do in 8th grade (work, grades, and homework) count as you move onto high school, especially if you're taking an advanced class. It is also the last year of middle school (so you'll probably feel like you need to go out with a bang). How can you develop a non-stressful, welcoming daily routine for 8th grade?
Steps
- Get your supplies ready. Most schools will give you a list of what you need. On the day before, pack your bag. You only need a few binders and things to write with. You can bring locker things too. If you got your schedule, put that in there. If you got a bus pass, put that in your bag if you plan on taking the bus. Be sure you have something to eat! Pack your lunch, or get money to buy school lunch. A water bottle isn't a bad idea either. If you are a girl, bring a A Just In Case kit. During the first few days, you are being explained procedures and are most likely not going to need all of your supplies.
- Express your style. If skinny jeans are your thing, then wear them. You don't have to wear designer clothes. It's optional.
- Practice opening your locker if you don't know how. You can buy a lock at your local store and practice.
- Make sure you know how you are getting to school and how you are getting home. If your parents can't take you, arrange to Not Miss the Bus for School If you can't do that, walk.
- Know where it is you are going once you get there. Some schools have advisory, or homeroom, while others you go straight to your first class.
- Be self-confident. This is the most important thing you can do to prepare for eighth grade. If you find yourself sad, be optimistic. Focus on the good things. Have fun; eighth grade is what you want it to be.
- Get some sleep the night before. You cannot be prepared to go to middle school if you got three hours of sleep.
- Know when to wake up. It might not seem like the biggest worry, but you're wrong, it is. If your bus comes at 8:30, and you wake up at 8:25, you're going to feel disorganized and awkward when you finally sit down in class. The thing is, you should allow yourself enough time in the morning to shower [if needed], eat breakfast, dress, do makeup [if needed], style your hair, and get ready for the day. Personally, [as a girl] I like to allow myself at least 1 1/2 hours in the morning to prepare.
- If you want to, decorate! You can decorate your room with colorful streamers, confetti, or even an 8th Grade banner! If it helps the anxious and excited feelings cool down before bedtime, do it!
- Breakfast. Choose healthy, wholesome foods like whole grain oats, cereal, or toast with jelly. Eat a fruit like an apple or a banana, or slice a pear. Drink milk, juice, water, or coffee, or perhaps nothing at all. Make sure you don't rush in your eating, because you want your stomach to be settled. A good example of a healthy breakfast is oatmeal with a side of toast, a banana, and a glass of milk or soy milk. If you need a quick meal, if you wake up late, grab a banana or handful of strawberries and something with a few carbohydrates to get your day started.
- Dress it up. When you pick out your outfit for school, do it the night before. Make sure of a few things before you leave the house: Bend over. Make sure your shirt doesn't droop too low, or lift up in the back. Sit down. Make sure that your skirt doesn't lift too high, or your jeans don't rip. You should choose something that will keep you comfortable, but that expresses your individual style.
- Style your hair properly. When you style your hair, don't just plop it on top of your head. Make sure it looks good, too, by pulling back any leftover wisps of hair and clipping them back. Make sure you wash your hair in the morning or at night before you go to sleep.
- Brush your teeth and floss. No one wants to be caught with stinky breath or something stuck in there teeth. Not only is this good hygiene, but it also makes for a good first impression.
- Not just make-up tests, but makeup faces! Don't overdo your makeup. Always use ChapStick on your lips, so they don't become chapped. That wouldn't be very fun. Make sure the colors of your makeup coordinate with your outfit.
- Pack your things. Check your planner to see if you have everything you need, like homework assignments and permission slips.
- Meet your dress code. The worst way to start a new school year is in the detention room. Don't try to slide by with shorts that just barely break dress code (if you have one), or a baseball hat if hats aren't allowed. Wear something modest and clean, with no wrinkles in the fabric..
- Be polite and respectful. You'll be meeting your teachers for the first time, and first impressions are everything. Greet your teacher with a smile (even if you're shy) and shake his or her hand if they offer. Say ma'am and sir, and know the difference between "Can I use the bathroom?" and "May I use the bathroom?" (especially when talking to your English teacher):)
- Handwriting. Handwriting is something that teachers respect. Good penmanship can go a long way in an attempt to stay off of the teacher's "bad kid" list.
- Smile! Smiling will make you more approachable and make you seem nicer.
- After school. Once you get home after school eat something [if need] After that you should start on your homework right away. Make sure you go to sleep early around 9:00 or 9:30
Tips
- Be good to yourself with exercise and healthy foods.
- Keep your locker clean.
- Don't have too much stuff in your bag.
- Be nice to the sixth and seventh graders, and don't pick on them.
- Get your mom/dad or guardian to check all of your homework.
- Just be a kid. You've got a long stressful year ahead of you.
- Don't worry about the social side of things. Most of these people won't be your friends during and/or after high school. Have positive friends but don't worry so much. Just be cool.
- When you're going to the store to buy your school supplies, it's a good idea to scratch out the things you already got.
- Try to relax and be calm, things aren't easy in school if you are anxious and jumpy. Take a breather for ten seconds if so.
- If you get a bad grade on a test or a quiz, it's not the end of the world. Instead of freaking out over it, find out why you got that grade and figure out what you need to do differently when studying.
- Don't try to stand out (in a bad way). Just be yourself and you'll find out that you stand out in your own unique way.
- Just because everyone "talks", doesn't mean you should too. So don't start drama. It's best to stay out of it or something can happen to you.
- Be social and talk to the 6th graders, it might make them feel a little less nervous since they're entering middle school.
Warnings
- Always bring a writing utensil. A teacher's biggest pet peeve is being told that you need to borrow a pencil. Save yourself from the teacher's wrath by simply grabbing a pen on your way out the door.
Things You'll Need
- Books
- School supplies: binders, pencils, pens, notebooks
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