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Congratulations!
You are soon to begin the next part of your educational journey, that being middle school. You most likely will have mixed feelings about middle school such as remembering your class schedule, getting to classes on time, remembering your locker combination, crowded hallways, having more homework, and being more responsible. Add to that new friends, a new building, and more teachers, it can be overwhelming. A lot of students are going to feel the same way, so you are not alone. Taking part in an orientation class we have each summer may answer many of the questions you might have. If you are coming during the school year, you are welcome to visit the school and spend several hours. You may set up an appointment by calling 920-337-1099. Welcome to your new school!
A Big Step
Starting middle school means you're getting older. It's OK to feel excited, because their is a lot to look forward to. It's also OK to feel nervous and a little scared, a lot of other students do too. And you may feel sad because it can be hard if you aren't in the same classes as your friends. But you will have a chance to make new ones. Enter your new school with an open mind. Any change takes awhile to get used to, pretty soon you will be a veteran and helping other new students who will probably feels just like you do now.
New things to get used to
Changing classrooms each period is an example of what is different and will take getting used to. You probably had a locker at your previous school, but didn't need to visit it throughout your day. You may have to stop by your locker to get a book for your next class, or another binder. You will learn the routine in short time and soon it will become habit.
New Teachers
You most likely are used to one classroom teacher you spend most of your day with. In middle school you will probably have several academic teachers, one for math, one for science, one for language arts and so on. Having more teachers means getting to know their personality and learning what each one expects. Each teacher teaches differently and requires different things from their students, such as different classroom policies. If you find a teacher is more challenging to get along with, it isn't that the teacher doesn't like you, they are just have different expectations in the classroom that you need to get used to.
Your Locker
Dealing with lockers is on the mind of just about every new middle school student. It is your space to keep your books, coat, and stuff you don't want to haul around with you. Keeping it neat will make life a lot easier. Locker clutter will slow you down. Give papers a proper home, remove any trash or food, and arrange things so things will be easy to find. You will visit it several times a day, and soon using it will be a natural part of middle school. If lockers don't have locks, they probably wouldn't be called lockers. You most likely will forget the combination at first, especially after a weekend, but the teachers and office know the combination, and will help you.
More Choices
Maybe you are into sports, or have a great love of the arts such as chorus, band or crafts. You will have a wide variety of opportunities to take advantage of, such a classes you didn't have available in elementary school. Extra-curricular options such as Destination Imagination, archery or computer club might sound intriguing. Having lots of interests is a good thing. Middle school is great time to try new things. However, there is only so much time during the day, so it is important not to take on more than you can handle. Middle school offers more options to get involved, and it is a great way to meet new people. Check out what is available and get involved.
Peer Pressure
Peer Pressure is when someone your age tries to get you to do something. The pressure may be to do something good or bad. It becomes negative when it is something you know you shouldn't do. You may feel pressure to cheat, skip school, cut class, use tobacco or to pick on someone. Here are some things you can do to refuse peer pressure: Say no, you don't want to do it. If you are uncomfortable, walk away. Give a reason why you don't want to do what someone is encouraging you to do. You can remind yourself and your friends of the potential consequences should you do what you know isn't right. Resisting peer pressure is a sign of strength and independence!
Personal Safety
A lot of middle school students worry about how they will be treated. Most bullies pick on others because it makes them feel powerful. They may use physical or verbal methods to hurt others. Often they have problems of their own. If you get picked on, respond in a positive way. Don't give the bully a reason to pick on you more. Be polite and non-confrontational. Tell the person you don't appreciate how they are treating you, agree with what they say, or turn it into a joke. If that doesn't work, leave the area. Start keeping a log of what they do or say, the time, place, who was there that may have been a witness, and then let an adult know.
The Cafeteria
What will the cafeteria be like? It may be bigger and seat more students than you are used to. That's why it is a good place to meet people. Look for friendly faces, or students who you recognize. Invite someone to sit with you. If you see someone sitting alone, ask if you may sit with them. Remember, how you respond to people will draw them to you or push you away. Be pleasant with everyone.
From Chaos to Order
Getting and staying organized may not seem like a big deal, but you will soon discover the value of it. It's a good idea to follow suggestions of your teachers, such as using separate notebooks for each subject. Make space for handouts, assignments and other materials you need to keep with you. You might have a large zippered binder to keep all you items together. Cleaning out your backpack regularly will keep important stuff clean and easy to find.
Making Friends
Friendships in middle school are often deeper and more intense. New friends don't appear by magic. Sometimes you have to take the first step. A friend is someone you feel safe sharing with and have things in common with. Friends can also be someone you can admire, respect and connect with who have different backgrounds and talents. A friend is someone who helps you to be a better person. Don't be surprised or upset if some of the friends you used to have start hanging around with new people. You will find new things out about yourself, new interests and qualities, and so will your friends. Your world is getting larger, so is the world of your friends. As this world gets larger you will have more opportunities. Think of the qualities you desire in a friend, and try to provide those same qualities to others. You will have friends if you do. And remember, the best way to make a friend is to be yourself.
More responsibility
In elementary school you probably walked to your special classes such as art and music as a group. Your who class walked together. In middle school you are more independent. Your scheduled is your own, very few in any other students will have one like yours. You are expected to get to your next class one your own. You have more freedom, such as holding on to your cell phone, ID card and other possessions you have. More freedom means you have to take more responsibility. If you abuse the privileges you will be held accountable and may have those privileges be taken away.
Changes in you
This is the scary one. You will soon be changing in three ways. One is physical. Everyone grows at their own pace. So some students will be taller than you, and some shorter. Along with the physical changes come the emotional changes. You probably will experience moodiness, such as one minute happy, the next minute sad, and then excitement and then anger. It can be unpredictable and frustrating. Remember your teacher has a classroom of students all experiencing the same changes. Don't be surprised if at times they get frustrated. And the last change is friendship. With all the new opportunities you have available to you, so do your friends. As you find new interests, so will your friends. And as you get more involved, you will meet new students. Your friendship circle will grow larger, and of course your friends will change. Remember that you don't have to lose a friend, you just gain more friends.
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