How to Prepare for Middle School

Making the transition from elementary school to middle school presents many challenges to a child, who may have been in the same school for seven years. He'll have to get accustomed to a new layout, different schedule and strange faces in the halls which can all be extremely intimidating. With a few suggestions, a child can be more prepared for middle school and the inevitable changes ahead.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Attend orientation day. Chances are better than good that your school offers an orientation day where you can acquaint yourself with the building, the classrooms, some of the staff and administration and maybe even walk through your schedule and try out your locker.
2. Participate in events held at your new school. When your middle school sponsors plays, concerts, dances or sporting events, grab a friend and go. You'll be much more comfortable when you become an attending student, and you may even meet new friends from other sending districts.
3. Accept your new responsibilities. You'll definitely have more on your plate at middle school than you did at elementary school, such as increased homework, switching classes, several teachers, a new schedule and being prepared for class with the right supplies and texts. Talk over all of this with your parents or new guidance counselor to answer any questions or concerns you might have.
4. Finish any summer homework. You've probably been given a packet with some math work and a reading list. While it's certainly no fun doing homework over the summer, it'll be even less fun entering a new school and starting a new school year if you don't prepare for it.
5. Get enough rest before the first day. About a week before the first bell, start going to bed earlier and getting up at the time you'll need to rise for school. It's a good way to retrain your body from the lazy summer schedule to its new routine.
6. Hold off on buying school supplies. Most teachers in middle school have very specific requirements for notebooks, paper and writing instruments. To be prepared for each class, either wait for a list to be mailed from the school or for the first day of classes to be sure you buy the right supplies.

Tips & Warnings

• A great way to meet new friends who have the same interests as you is to join an extracurricular activity such as a sports team or club.
• Be sure to tackle any problems you encounter before they get out of hand by talking to your parents or guidance counselor.