Survive the First Year of Middle School

Everyone feels nervous and excited about starting middle school. As a middle school student, you'll be treated like a more responsible person. Your classes will be more intense and teachers may be more strict; the following tips will help you thrive.

Steps

  1. Be Be On Time for School. Get up around an hour before school starts and do your normal routine. Eat a good breakfast and make sure you have a lunch, if needed. You never want to go hungry during school, so always carry back-up lunch money to buy a meal if you ever forget your lunch at home. Try to leave home a half-hour before school starts so that you can be sure not to be late.
  2. Treat teachers and fellow classmates respectfully. Raise your hand if you have a question and don't call out answers without being asked for them. Don't be the "Class Clown" who creates disturbances for others; no one wants to be around a troublemaker. Smile and keep quiet while others are speaking, and behave well in front of your teachers and other students. You don't need to be a "Teacher's Pet", just turn in your homework when it's due, be respectful, and try not to get on your teacher's bad side. Remember, teachers may lower your grade if you misbehave, or deny you the opportunity to go on field trips.
  3. Be prepared. Have all your pens, paper, books, etc., packed the night before your first day. Teachers appreciate it when you have your supplies with you. Keep them neatly stacked in your locker during the day and always replace items you have run out of as soon as possible. You won't always get to visit your locker between classes, so be sure to have the things you absolutely need in your backpack or book bag. Teachers may allow you to return to your locker occasionally to retrieve a forgotten item if you ask promptly and politely.
  4. Try your best. Everyone recognizes those who try hard. You will be rewarded for the effort by building up your knowledge. Seek help if you have areas of study that you find too difficult; other classmates, a tutor, or your parents may be possible sources of help.
  5. If you can't keep up, try tutoring classes. Tutoring classes are a good way to distance yourself from friends or family whose help may be limited by their own knowledge. Tutoring is a good way of improving your skills with extra practice.
  6. Find an 8th grader if you need help. If he or she seems nice, ask for help from them; they'll know the school and will probably make your day easier. Be polite and don't encroach on their personal time with friends.
  7. Ask questions. If you're nervous about asking questions in class, ask another teacher. Any teacher in the school will be happy to help you with a problem, or point you to someone who can. Make sure you understand the content of what is being taught before you walk away. Don't forget to thank them
  8. Make sure your binders are organized to keep from losing important papers. It makes your day easier if you know where everything is. Binders with separators, and even folders, are a big help for this process. Staying organized in middle school will help you throughout life, in the workplace and in your home.
  9. Be genuine, confident and friendly. The more comfortable you make others feel in your presence, the more comfortable you will feel in middle school and beyond. Broaden your base of friends to include as many people as possible, and don't give off the impression that you feel you are too good for anyone.
  10. Try to make friends become familiar with where things are in the school so you will be one of the go-to boys or girls. For instance, if you know where the AV (audio/visuals) supplies are stored, you can help others find a camera when they need one to complete an assignment. Or if another teacher or student needs directions, you can provide them. The more independent you feel the more positive your experience will be.
  11. Have fun in middle school. There is no need to take middle school too seriously; you're there to learn and you will get through it faster than you think. Middle school can be really fun as long as you let it be.
  12. Do your homework! It'll save you a lot of trouble in middle school. It will also help you get you better grades and stay on the teacher's good side.
  13. If you're the one who answers a lot of the questions in the class, let someone else answer one once in a while. Your teachers probably know you can answer it; they have to see if others can do it too.
  14. Get involved in extracurricular activities at your school. There's lots of opportunities to take advantage of. Join a club or try out for a sports team. You'll meet new friends and learn more about life and the opportunities you'll have in the future.
  15. If you can pick seats in your classes, pick a seat near a friend so you will be more confident as you meet the new people around you. If you end up sitting by someone who is very distracting, ask your teacher if you can move.Also try to sit in the front.br>
  16. Stay up-to-date. Stay in touch with your friends, listen to the latest songs, and (if you have one) check your Facebook at least once a week. Staying up-to-date with your friends and with other people will get you a good reputation with multiple people. People will know you and appreciate you if you drop in for a conversation from time to time.But you do not have to if you do not want to.

Tips

  • Always do your homework. If you don't complete reasonable homework assignments, you'll earn a poor reputation and poor grades, potentially get more homework, and possibly detention time.
  • Be true to yourself, even if your friends try to get you to change.
  • Purchase and organize your school supplies before your first day of school. Be sure to write your name on everything.
  • Interact with people. It's a great way to meet new friends.
  • Remember that your teachers are humans, too. They will do their best to speak loudly and clearly enough to be heard and understood. Pay attention when they are speaking and be on your best behavior so you can get the most out of the class. Treat teachers the way you want them to treat you.
  • Shower in the mornings. Use deodorant, so you won't make a bad impression on people.
  • If people are spreading rumors, don’t be equally mean, tell them it's hurtful, and try to ignore them. Don't be afraid to stick up for a person who is getting picked on. If you don't like what is going on in a situation, say so, then walk away.
  • You may find students acting very inappropriately (such as smoking). Tell an adult about this.
  • Don't be a tattletale, but tell a trusted adult if you are getting bullied or hurt.
  • Obtain a map of the school and circle or highlight your class rooms. The room numbers should be on your class schedule. If you still need help ask a teacher or older student. Don't sweat finding your classes too much though. The first week of school the teachers will cut you some slack, since you are unfamiliar with the school and don't know the quickest route.
  • Ask a teacher where your class is, if you become lost. A student might think it's funny to give you directions to the wrong class and make you late.
  • Join common clubs or teams to gain new experience and face new challenges.
  • Try to memorize the combination for your locker ahead of time. If that's not possible, keep your combination on a slip of paper in your pocket.
  • Get to know the teacher, so she/he will have a good impression of you and you will know which ones you prefer.
  • Stay organized and make sure to keep track of when your assignments are due.
  • Join an after school activity or club. You may have to stay later, but you'll get to meet new friends.
  • Try to be nice to everyone. Remember, you have to spend the next three years with some of these people.
  • Try not to talk about lower school any more than necessary. It makes you sound younger to upperclassmen.
  • Be optimistic.
  • Try your best to not mess with a bully. Fighting back will only annoy him/her more.
  • Be yourself and be kind to others. Try to refrain from unnecessary drama.
  • Don't get involved in too much drama.
  • Remember, teachers are people, just like you. They went through the first day just like you are. I know it might be hard to approach teachers and ask for help, especially if your shy, but trust me, they'll be more than happy to help you out. If you need directions or have any questions, don't be afraid to ask teachers! They are there for a reason.
  • Don't be a bully or cause on any trouble. If you are a victim of a bully, you can go on WikiHow to learn how to seek help if you are being bullied. Keep confident and don't let others get you down. Be a good person and go make friends!

Warnings

  • Be nice to people. No one likes a bully. They can make you feel insecure and uncomfortable.
  • Stay away from bullies. Report bullying behavior to teachers or counselors.
  • Don't slack on homework. Do your best to complete all reasonable assignments.

Things You'll Need

  • Backpack or book bag
  • Pencil
  • Pen
  • Eraser
  • Composition books
  • Lunch/lunch money/lunch bag
  • Notebooks/duo tangs
  • Binder
  • Calculator
  • Tape/glue/stapler
  • Paper

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