Survive Sixth Grade

End of summer? Are there only a few days before going up to the sixth grade? No problem...remember, Sixth Grade is highly unlikely to actually kill you. You can survive it pretty much the same way you have survived fifth grade and other things in your life. If you feel it's probable you won't make it through a year at school, these steps will provide some guidance.

Steps

Being Organized

1. Have all the supplies you need. Your school may or may not have a supply list; if it doesn't, then the teachers will give you one in the first week of school. You should wait until orientation or the first week of school for any less commonplace supplies, but there are some basic supplies you are likely to need regardless of your particular classes:
   • Pencil
   • Eraser
   • Sharpener
   • Pen
   • Ruler
   • Scissors
   • Glue
   • Colored pencils
2. Have a backpack big enough for your items. Ensure that it sits comfortably and is not harming your posture. Your backpack should not weigh more than you!
3. Sort your needs out in advance for each day's classes. When you change classes, be organized by ensuring that everything you need is in your backpack or locker.

Getting Ready for the School Day

1. Set your alarm clock according to the time your first lesson begins. So if your first lesson starts at 8:30, the best time to wake up would be an hour to two hours before, in this case between 6:30 and 7:30.
2. Stay clean. Have a shower every morning. Uncounted people have failed to survive school because they didn't shower. If you don't have the opportunity to shower in the morning, shower the night before. Even if you don't sweat a lot, it is more hygienic to shower every day/night.
3. Have breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. If you don't have breakfast, you can't concentrate throughout the school day! Some schools also offer breakfasts in the cafeteria.
4. Follow the dress code. If your school is free wear (no uniform) it is best that girls go to school in shorts and pants. Many of difficult situation can be more easily survived in shorts rather than a skirt. However, if you want to wear skirts or dresses, wear leggings or tights underneath.
   • Don't dress in a skimpy way. Just dress appropriately. You don't want to remember wearing short shorts and spaghetti straps in middle school when you are older.
   • Look your best on picture day. That means that if you school is free wear, don't come in something too sparkly and don't wear a lot of makeup; the light will make you look like the Mad Hatter!

Surviving the School Day

1. Stay calm. Even though your teacher may give a lot of homework, just make sure to think positive. School isn't about making you stressed out, it's about teaching you to become a successful adult. Talk to your parents if you feel like you've been stretched to your wits end because of all the work you're getting though. That's not good!
2. Try your best in academics. Pay attention in class. The next thing you know after not paying attention is that your teacher asks you what she or he just said and you have no idea. If you need to, take notes so that you can look back on them for reference.
   • If you have trouble understanding the homework material then don't be afraid to ask your teacher.
   • Study hard for the exams. The exams in the fifth grade are nothing compared to the exams in the sixth grade.
   • Remember that school comes before fun! Colleges are mostly focused on high school grades, though, but that doesn't mean that you don't have to try now, too. If you do a good job in middle school, it will give you more opportunities in high school, which will help your chance into getting into a good college.
3. Don't be stressed––take it easy. Nobody in your future will look at your elementary/middle school grades. You're a kid, so relax!
4. Act your age. Be mature when you have to. For example, if you have to care for a parent with a disability or help out with your younger siblings, you need to be responsible.
5. Have self confidence. Don't take note of what other people are saying about you, unless it's positive. Focus on you, yet have empathy (consider other people's feelings).

Interacting With Others at School

1. Make friends. Be nice to people, and don't be mean. Being mean can lead to having no friends, which is not fun. Be friendly and be yourself. Then, you'll make plenty of friends.
   • Trying out for band is a good idea for you because you learn something new and make new friends.
2. Be stronger than those who taunt you. Don't take on bullies. You are perfect in every way, so don't fight back!
   • Understand that you will meet unpleasant people. That's a part of life.
3. Don't have a boyfriend or girlfriend too soon. Having an intimate relationship just leads to heartbreak early. It's ok to have romantic feelings for someone, but don't let it distract you.'
4. Try to keep the friends you have. If they're good friends, they'll last for the rest of your middle school life, so make sure not to lose them! However, make sure that once you've established your friend group, you don't stop looking outwards.

Tips

• Have a homework timetable depending on when you get home. So if you get home at 3, the best time to do your homework would be 4.
• Don't try to be a show off, just be you.
• If you have a time test and you are stuck on a question, just skip that one. Do the ones you do know and come back to that question if you have time at the end.
• Don't act like a know-it-all or a cool kid; stay true to your real self.
• If you really want to be a cool kid, make sure you stay on top of your grades because if you fail assignments or tests, your parents will most likely force you out of the "cool" lifestyle.
• There is going to be drama no matter what. If you don't like drama try to stay out of it.
• If you or someone else gets bullied, don't hesitate to help or tell an adult.
• Don't dress to impress, be yourself and wear what's comfortable.Consider of what you're planning to wear. A lilac sweater might be cute, but that's not cool on a scorching day.

Warnings

• Try not to get into trouble.
• Fighting is never the answer.

Related Articles

• Do Well in Grade Six (Girls)
• Survive 6th Grade in a Foreign Country
• Have the Best Year in Sixth Grade

See also

• Survive Fifth Grade