[middleschooler6]

OK I'm going into middle school in 3 days and I am incredibly nervous. Does anyone have any tips on how to get rid of the pressure. And also can anybody give me some tips on how to fight through? I mean is it easy to keep up with it all or does it just depend on who your teachers r or what your schedule is. Can anybody help?

[dontknownuthin]

First, know that most kids going into middle school are nervous, just like you. They go through it again when high school starts.

If you are afraid of getting lost, know that none of the other kids your grade know their way around either. You kids will help each other and so will the adults. And the building will make sense to you once you've been through your schedule a couple of times. Pretty soon you will know that building as well as you know your own house - it will just happen and you don't have to worry about it.

If you are afraid of forgetting where your locker is or your combination, you can just write your locker number and combination down somewhere until you have it memorized. Write it on a paper you keep in your pocket, for example. If you forget it or loose your paper, go to the office. You won't be the first kid to loose it- they can look it up and write it down for you again.

Same goes for your schedule. They will give it to you and you will have it to carry around with you and look at when you need to. If you lose it, they will give you another one. After a few days you won't need it - you'll just know it.

If you are afraid of the kids, it will be the same kids from last year and probably some new ones. If you didn't like the kids last year, there will be some from other schools so you'll have a chance to meet different people. If you do like the kids from last year, great - seek them out and together you can expand group of friends.

As for the work, it will just be a natural progression from last year. The work will be more challenging, but you are at a level where the challenge is appropriate to what you've already mastered in school, so it shouldn't feel any harder to you. I mean, walking is hard, too, if you're 10 months old. Riding a bike is hard if you're four. Your challenges will be approprite and manageable to your age and ability so don't worry about it.

To be successful all you need to do is:
- go to class, be on time and don't break the rules.
- keep a positive attitude about school and your own abilities.
- Be prepared - use your planner every day in every class, keep your stuff together and organized and bring what you need to each class. If you need help with organization, ask for the help.
- If you run into a problem, ask for help. Whether you have lost a worksheet or you're having problems with another kid, or you don't understand math, just ask. The staff at your school has been through pretty much anything you might experience with oter kids and they can help a lot.
- Get involved. Join something - band, choir, track team, the newspaper - whatever it is, try things. Kids who are involved make more friends and usually do better in school and stay out of trouble.

Take care... it will be fine. Also relax - the first day nobody will expect you to know where anything is, or where to go when - they will expect you to be nervous and to be new there, just like the rest of the new class, and they will make sure you all get through fine.

[Kitkat22]

Other tips that may help... just in case.

First.. Look in your handbook and read the rules about your Locker.

Middle School is very different. You will be meeting kids you have never seen before.

The thing is , you will probably feel really overwhelmed to begin with , but it will pass.

You'll make friends, new ones and maybe even keep the old ones.

There is a no contact policy on touching another person. This means even high-fiving in some schools is considered contact.

No cell phones. If you are allowed to carry a cell phone, it must be turned off.

No tobacco,alcohol or any other type of addictive products can be brought to school. It's an automatic expulsion.

If you have medication the doctor has prescribed, it must be given to the school Nurse who will give it to you at the directed time.

No weapons of any kind.

Also check your handbook and find out about the dress code.
If you have a b/f or g/f kissing, holding hands cuddling is also considered bodily contact.

Always be on time. Dress neatly. Be kind and respectful to the teachers and staff.

Bullying is now against the law in forty-seven states. The anti-bullying law makes it a crime for another person to hit you, call you names, intimidate you.

Cyber- bullying is also against the law. Text messages of a threatening nature or harassing,
Sending pictures on a phone or Computer is against the law if those pictures and/or text are used to embarrass or threaten someone.

It's okay to tell if you ever find yourself being bullied. Some people say don't tell.. the teacher or Principle cannot reveal the source of the bullying unless someone tells and they cannot reveal who told them.

You will enjoy Middle School and as I said look in your handbook.