Eight Grade Advice

By: Zoe Cameron, 8th grade

As the school year begins, a third of our school makes their way for the first time, settling into Explore Middle School. Since we are over a month into the school year, most has been done; friends made, schedules memorized (sort of), clubs chosen, and teachers met. However, like most things you don't realize you're missing them until they're gone. No matter what school you come from, the transition from a previous school can be tough. The eighth graders, though, are just beginning to understand what they wish they knew. As their last year here starts, there's some things that they would like to share with the brand new sixth graders.

16 eighth graders were asked the question, “What advice would you give to the sixth graders?” Their responses ranged from funny, to answers we probably shouldn’t share, to cute and wholesome. 

A common topic discussed when asked, was to make the most of your time here. 8th grader, Anna Matos responded, “Don’t only focus on school work when you're in school and try to focus on spending time with your friends and having fun also, cause you only have middle school once and it’s really important to live and be happy during it.” It’s important to cherish the times we get here. Similarly Mycheal Richardson responded, “Come here with an open mind, you know, not every days gonna be sunshine and rainbows, but you know, you always wanna, always go into it expecting not always the best, but not always the worst, just go in, you know trying to always look at the the bright side … I wouldn't trade that for the world.” Ana Kirschner also said “I would say, enjoy it because time here goes by really, really fast.” Middle school is only so long, so it’s important to recognize the time you have now.

Throughout the interview process, most interviewees spoke about the need to make friends and be nice. Without people to spend your time with or rely on, the stresses of school might be too much. A good balance of fun and study is most necessary for the time you have in middle school. For example Isaac Roque stated, “Be nice to everyone because one day they might give you a dollar.” Most eighth graders could likely agree that the people who give you a dollar are some of the realest friends you’ll get. On the topic of a perfect balance, student Noah Flores said, “try to maintain good grades, and be social, and make good friends.” While it may seem difficult to do both, student Timothy Jette said, “don’t overthink it, don’t stress it. The teachers are very nice. They will, like, give you extensions, whatever if you need it. They are very kind and considerate. So I'd just say like, this, it won't be that bad.” 

Lastly, to end, a response from Sanaa Williams, “some advice that I would give to the sixth graders, are to cherish your years in explore because when you look back and you're in eighth grade, you're just like ‘wow everything is gone like.’ So I would say cherish your time here because you'll have the most fun that you'll ever have. Be happy every day when you're here…it's a great place.”

Other interview highlights:

• "Just be nice to everyone, be social, it's good to know people, and yeah." - Chelsea Phillips

• "Like study hard, always do your work on time, you know, get into the Junior Honor Society, all that stuff, you know, just be a good student." - Luke Bridda

• "To make new friends, to be kind, and to do homework." - Micheal Kerr

• "Play alot of sports and go, like to friend gatherings." - Glen Miranda

• "Stay productive in class and don't play games. Instead whenever you get free time or recess periods do homework and classwork." - Anonymous 

Published to the Wolfpack Press: November 20, 2024