I am depressed after my upper school shuffle up day yesterday. It made me realise how close we are to leaving middle school and how much I don't want to leave. I hate change as it is, and I know that I'm going to go through a really rough time trying to adjust to upper school. I don't want to go and leave our school. I'm really scared that, what with all my friends being in separate classes AND in two peoples case, separate bands, we'll barely see each other and that we won't remain friends. And being there yesterday I didn't feel like I actually belonged there. Our class base just felt like a bare classroom full of people - not the warm, colourful, homely feeling that we - or at least I - am used to. It didn't feel realistic that in less than 2 months they will be our classrooms, our class, our workmates. I just felt like I do perhaps at clubs- actually, less than that - when you meet someone for perhaps a day, but you don't get to know them, you just drift around them because you know that you'll never have to see them again. Which is a ridiculous feeling because I WILL have to see them again, I WILL have to know them. When I started Middle school I instantly felt a sort of connection to everyone in my class, I felt like we were a class, a unit, and I instantly felt at home. But I feel no connection to any of these people, and I don't feel at home in the school. I just can't imagine myself being a pupil there. I can't imagine being part of that class.

I realised how upset I was this morning when my mum said to me "on the thursday before your camp you won't be able to go to any clubs because we'll have to do the food shopping." So that means that this week is my last netball club! When I realised that I wanted to cry because it means I'll never play netball on middle school grounds again, and never with the people I play with now. It is just one step further towards the end of the year. I'm going to want to appreciate every last minute that I can of that last hour, but I know that when it comes to it, I'll forget to appreciate it and time will fly by. And she may cancell it because of the summer concert And speaking of the summer concert I'm not doing it. I can't sing ‘believe’ because Sarah, my mentor, is coming to guides that week to make sure everything is going well with my plans for camp, and I can't miss it because she can't rearrange and so I'm going to miss out on the whole bursting into tears thing. Which I so need to do right now.

I can't imagine being without the middle school teachers - one or two in particular, and I'm going to miss them too much. I'm going to want to ask them something, tell them something interesting that's happened or that I've seen, I'll want to cry to them/just sit with them and chat when it turns out I'm not liking the change, but I won't be able to because THEY WON'T BE THERE. Just to think that all the teachers we know and like - and even the ones we don't like - won't be there... we'll never ever see them again once we leave middle school... even if we do or get invited to we (or definatley I) won't be allowed... and it's only two weeks away too. Two weeks. And they'll be the shortest two weeks of our life. I'm going to miss them terribly and I'll never see them again. And how can a simple goodbye at the end of the year in any way sum up to any of them how thankful we are, how sad we are to leave, how much they mean to us as friends? It won't.

I won't lie to you, I'm not looking forward to going to Upper school. In fact I am 100% dreading it and I'm 100% depressed about leaving middle school. It's really hard to tell you what I am feeling right now. But I'm all mixed up inside and depressed. I never thought the day where I left the best school in the world would actually come.

Sorry this is very long winded (and there's very poor grammar in there too) but I’m really upset and I don’t know what to do about it, how to take my mind off it. I feel like nobody gets it. Please help.

A lot of people don't like change but let me tell you one thing. With you only being in middle school you have A LOT of change coming your way.

Going through school expecting things to be the way they were the grade before you is a mistake because not only do most people hate change but a lot of people CHANGE in these periods.

The fact that you're moving forward in your educational aspect is inevitable. There is nothing you can really do to stop it. Instead of focusing on the change of middle school to high-school (upper school) focus on the positive aspects that come along with changing schools. While your friends aren't going to be as close as they were, it gives you that much more reason to enjoy the time you do get to see them. Who knows, you'll probably see them a lot more then you think. Also the possibilities of gaining new friends are endless when you change schools. You may not think you need more or new friends but you'll be surprised. No one can have too many good friends.

In the mean time of focusing on the positive aspects of change and learning to embrace change instead of hiding from it. Take your mind of the matter. Do what you like to do and enjoy the moment. Living in a depressed state of mind is no fun and you're so young you should be having a blast right now!

So to sum up my rambling nonsense. Here is a recap. Stop focusing on the negative affects of change, realize change happens (especially at your age), focus on the positive aspects. And most importantly ENJOY the time you have now! I wish I would have enjoyed school a little more.

Rick

P.S. good luck!

I'm going to say congratulations,your growing up and realising things change,we may not like change,but it still happens.

Your moving into a different world,a world you don't know,and yes,it is scary,but there will be so many chances to make new friends,learn new things and view life in a totally different way.

Its scary and exciting,you will be OK,and you can be thankful for the great foundation you have gotten at your old school.

You can always arrange to meet up with your friends,I'm sure their going through the same thing.

Your going on a wonderful journey of growing up,there's going to be great times,scary times and maybe even the happiest in school.

By christmas you will be a pro at middle school and will know the ins and outs of it and wonder why you were scared at all.

A few months ago when all my children were here for a holiday, the subject of school came up. My children are older than you but I asked each one of them what phase of school they didn''t like. All four answered almost at once "Middle School".

They said they were so scared to leave Middle School even though they hated it for somewhere they didn't know everyone. Once they got to High School they loved it.

Thank you to everyone who posted in this thread, I have now been at my upper school for a whole term and I am really happy there and I'm about to choose my options!

My friendship group is still intact, except for one person, I have learnt my way around the school and apart from going back to visit once I barely think about middle school or the staff there any more.

I appreciate you coming back and informing us. (rarely does this happen)

Accepting the fact that change happens is the biggest hurdle when someone doesn't like change.

You've taken the time to get advice, realize the advice given and now look at you. By the sounds of it you're having a great school year thus far.

Feel free to come back with any questions or concerns you have throughout the year! ;)