starting middle school

[htmom]

My soon to be 12 year old boy is starting middle school in a couple of weeks. Middle school is rough. LOL. I think most will agree with that.
If you could tell a new middle schooler one piece of advice what would it be? I told him that the people that were your friends in elementary school, might not be your friends now, and that's ok.

 

[spacemountainmom]

For school work - Figure out an organizational system that works for you and stay organized!

For the social aspect - Be willing and open to meeting new people!

 

[Pigeon]

Go into it with an open mind and try to get involved in activities that interest you.

We have junior high for two years, not middle school, but my kids both loved it. They offer so many activities that it's pretty easy to make friends that way.

My youngest was just talking about how sad she's going to be when junior high is over.

 

[TinkerBelled]

I would wait and see what happens--plenty of people love middle school--but if he's having any trouble, I'd say, it gets better.

It might not sink in for a while (what thing said by a parent do at 12?), but it's good to hear anyway. High school is so, so much easier than middle school, and while things seem intense and all-encompassing, they will pass.

 

[Pembo]

If you plan on having no friends, then when you have 1 you have exceeded your quota. Seriously though, friends are very fleeting at that age.

For the parents - it's going to be a bumpy ride, remember to think before you react. That was the hardest part....

 

[TheIncredibles!]

Go into it with an open mind and try to get involved in activities that interest you.

We have junior high for two years, not middle school, but my kids both loved it. They offer so many activities that it's pretty easy to make friends that way.

My youngest was just talking about how sad she's going to be when junior high is over.

No middle school here either, they call it Jr High but we have no separate school for it. Our schools are K-6th grade and then 7th - 12th. My oldest is going into 9th and my middle child - DD - is going into 7th. She's absolutely terrified. She's making it seem as if she is going to school in a Lion's Den and she's in danger of being eaten alive. My youngest is going into 5th grade and he's happy to be in school with no siblings for the next 2 years.

My only advice to her was I survived(same HS I went to), so did her brother and she will as well.

 

[clarkshel]

My oldest son is starting middle school this fall. I am a little worried as he is going into grade 4. Our middle school is grades 4 to 9. It used to be grades 5 to 9, but they added grade 4 last year as the elementary school is too full. I am sure he will be ok, but I still worry

 

[htmom]

I'm not too worried. DS has a very good outlook. I remember my older family members had me so scared before I went. LOL
He says he is just worried about getting lost I told him not to worry, there are lots of people that can help you find your way. He just keeps saying "I need to get through these three years, then I can go to tech" (our technical highschool is his goal) I told him to make sure he has fun in the process.

 

[luvsJack]

DD is in 10th so we are done with middle school/jr. high.

If your son has that one best friend, that will help. DD has a bff and together they got through all the drama, mean girl, not being one of the "populars", etc.

He should get involved in whatever school activity he is interested in. Doing something he loves will help too.

 

[LittleMissMagic]

Be nice to everyone. Do what you love, even if it's not the "popular" thing to do. And don't let anyone crush your spirit.

 

[MSSANDRA]

Organization is a biggie. Our 6th grade does a mini class on it and it was more valuable than anything else the entire year.

Second....never put anything on facebook, text on twitter that your would not be ok with your grandma, parents, pastor, teacher or God reading.
good kids make bad choices and it can come back to bite them!!!!!!!!

 

[disneyfanforever]

My son started middle school last year, and I agree with the be nice to everyone.

Also, he started out with several friends from elementary but not an absolute best friend. As the year went on, some of those elementary friends faded away (and that's okay like someone said), and he made several new friends who are great.

I was so worried about middle school last year as it was so much larger than elementary, changing classes, lockers, etc, and it turned out not to be that bad at all. My son is not worried at all about heading back there this year.

 

[MrsDuck]

I teach 7th grade. My advice? Be friendly with everyone - don't pick a clique - bounce between them all and have lots of friends. Get involved in one activity and stick with it. Keep up with your grades and homework - it just makes life easier. Use a planner. And always always always ask for help if you need it. Doesn't matter what kind of help (academic, social, etc), just ask.

Best of luck! It's a nervewracking time!

 

[TinkerBelled]

Oh, this is my number one tip for the first day of middle school: practice your locker combo at home first. I had never used a locker lock before, and I spent five minutes twiddling the thing hoping I wouldn't be late for class.

 

[castleview]

My soon to be 12 year old boy is starting middle school in a couple of weeks. Middle school is rough. LOL. I think most will agree with that.
If you could tell a new middle schooler one piece of advice what would it be? I told him that the people that were your friends in elementary school, might not be your friends now, and that's ok.

Academically, that first year is the time to get your stuff together. Being organized (enough) and staying on top of his classes are the primary responsibility.

And yes, they will change so much over the next few years. He just needs to take it in stride, get involved in at least one activity and be as confident as any middle schooler can be…I know . I went to a very rough middle school and was freaking out when first DD entered, but so far it's been a good ride. Of course there is drama here and there, but overall it's a well run school much different to my own.

 

[mom2rtk]

1) Social life: Find something to be involved in. Doesn't matter what it is, but it gives a chance outside regular school hours to get to know some kids. My daughter started middle school last year, and I think getting involved in the school play in the fall made all the difference in the world for her. She looked forward to that unstructured down time with other kids.

2) Academics: If your school has an online grading system, learn it. Embrace it. Get in the habit of checking it routinely. It needs to be their "go-to" resource to see how they are doing and whether any assignments are missing. This is their practice time before grades start to stick in high school.

 

[Robinrs]

No middle school here either, they call it Jr High but we have no separate school for it. Our schools are K-6th grade and then 7th - 12th. My oldest is going into 9th and my middle child - DD - is going into 7th. She's absolutely terrified. She's making it seem as if she is going to school in a Lion's Den and she's in danger of being eaten alive. My youngest is going into 5th grade and he's happy to be in school with no siblings for the next 2 years.

My only advice to her was I survived(same HS I went to), so did her brother and she will as well.

I went to Jr High too, it was from 7-9th grade so we entered HS as sophomores!! It was soooo cool to enter HS already having freshmen to pick on!!

I was the littlest and youngest kid in all my classes so no one really picked on me, they just thought I was "cute". It got real old real quick . My son, OTOH, had the exact opposite problem, he was older and bigger than most of the kids in his class. No one bothered him except one REAL LITTLE guy trying to make a name for himself by going after the BIG guy. He was expelled from the school and after that it was smooth sailing.

Most kids can handle "middle" school if they are confident and assured that someone, especially someone they respect, thinks they are the absolute bomb! I remember going home every day thinking that as long as my Mom thought I was great, it never mattered what some stupid kid said, and they will ALWAYS say something stupid. Remind him you're in his corner and that miserable people love making people miserable... so pity them, don't take their words as gospel

 

[Robbi]

Just thank God that it's a son and not a daughter starting middle school! Girls are MEAN at that age.
My advice to your son is to get involved and "To thine ownself be true.".

 

[bittybabygrower]

Take 15 minutes every night to put stuff in the right folders!

And just be nice, it goes a long way!

 

[htmom]

Just thank God that it's a son and not a daughter starting middle school! Girls are MEAN at that age.
My advice to your son is to get involved and "To thine ownself be true.".

I can totally understand that! My daughter is only starting fourth grade and they are sooo mean to each other already! She is generally a "sweet" girl at home but I have heard her and her friends talking and yikes! I can only imagine what is in store for us then!