Advice for the New-Coming 8th Graders

During the first month of school I went around and interviewed different groups of 8th graders, getting to know them and learning about their initial impressions and experiences at Kenmore West. I even got to spend time with a group of 8th graders during Blue Devil Connections, which was so much fun. After asking a few questions, there were a few things that the 8th graders I interviewed wanted to know.

Every single 8th grader interviewed said that their biggest problem was navigation related, such as finding the time to go to their locker. Unfortunately, there isn’t one big solution to finding time to get around, but there are ways to make navigating easier. Multiple upperclassmen I interviewed said that they used “landmarks” to keep track of where they were. These landmarks range from stairwells to display cases to other classrooms. For example, if your first period class is on the second floor, you could use stairwell 1, right next to the entrance. Using common areas like the cafeteria or the gym to remember where you are can really help orient you in the chaos of the hallways.

I also asked about goals for the year, and found that 4 out of 5 8th graders number one goal was to pass 8th grade. Luckily, the upperclassmen had answers for that too. Freshman Willow Czerwinski said, “I have a to-do list with links and paper descriptions with homework folders. I check them every day. It helps me stay on top of things.” Similarly, sophomore Elliott Webster’s advice was, “I have a shared note with a friend. We both write down our homework assignments and remind each other about homework. Sometimes we work on assignments together. It makes it way easier to do my work on time.” But overall, the best advice I heard was from Emily Aronica, a junior. She said, “Time management. It sounds crazy, but the sooner you do it and acquire that skill, it’ll be so easy. Do what you can, even with only five minutes. There is so much you can do in five minutes.”

The best way to stay on top of work, studying, sports, and clubs is to use proper time management. Keep track of everything you do, whether it’s with a planner, a binder, or a calendar. People can’t always remember everything, so writing things down and making sure to use your time wisely can really make a difference. If you need somewhere quiet to work, go to the library, or ask a teacher if you can stay in their room during a lunch or study hall. Teachers are always happy to help out, though a lot of students tend to forget that. Finally, I asked a few more upperclassmen what their personal advice was for the 8th graders. One person said that the best thing to do was focus on not just the future, but the present.

Everything you do now will have an effect on the future, and it’s good to be mindful of that. You should also try to get involved. You don’t have to love everything you do, but you might surprise yourself and find something you love. Not everything sticks, but it’s always good to try. If you do the things that sound interesting, you might have more fun than you first thought. Another said that it’s okay to make and lose friends. People change, and sometimes you’ll drift apart. What’s important is that you will always make new friends, especially if you put yourself out there and, even though it sounds corny, be yourself. Not all this advice will help you, but high school is a new experience, and it can be scary. The best advice I can give you is that it might be hard right now, but you get used to things pretty fast. You’ll get lost dozens of times, you’ll join clubs that you don’t always enjoy, and you’ll meet and lose friends that you love, but that’s only part of it. The way you do things is always up to you.