Middle School Tips from Girls
Every year, the start of school brings me vivid feelings and memories. In elementary school I couldn’t wait for the first day and excitedly chose a dress to wear (guess what decade that was!). But seventh grade was a different story. I worried about all kinds of things and didn’t know who to ask for advice.
My worries surfaced all over again when my twin daughters were starting middle school. They were more confident than I’d been, even though they’d been unschooling for the previous three years. Of course, feeling nervous about a situation you’ve never been in is normal. They asked me and my husband lots of questions. We answered honestly but also realized that our advice was coming from the mists of ancient history, aka our childhoods, before middle school was even a term.
The Girls Editorial Board gave our members more up-to-the minute advice in the September-October issue of New Moon Girls magazine. The older members who shared are honest, encouraging, and give heartfelt, practical tips from their own recent experience. Here’s a quick sampling:
Jackie, 13, New York:
Middle school isn’t what I thought it would be. It’s really cool! I was very anxious about starting a different school with a new schedule, but I’m loving it! From the interesting material we cover in class to the freedom and independence, it’s great! But it can be tough sometimes.
There was one big change in my middle school experience. My friends and I really drifted apart. But don’t let that worry you — it usually happens gradually. And you WILL make new friends! Just be yourself and treat others as you would like to be treated!
Good luck!
Riley, 13, Maryland
When I first started middle school I was scared senseless! I thought: What if I get lost? What I’m late? And worst of all: what if I get detention because of those things? Well, the truth is, I did get lost, I was late and I didn’t always get my locker combination right.
But it wasn’t the end of the world! The first couple weeks, while you’re learning your way around, the teachers understand and are helpful! By the second month, you’ll be a pro at all these things and it will just come natural.
Pearl, 13, Oregon
There’s one thing I think is important in order to succeed in middle school: building trust with your teachers. I like middle school a lot better than elementary because you have more options on what you can learn! At my middle school, we can take classes like band, Spanish, algebra and geometry. Some people don’t like our middle school because there isn’t recess, but you get a longer lunch, and extra time between classes.
My best friend and I drifted apart a little, but we go to different schools and we’re both really busy, so I was expecting it. Some of my other friends have made some choices that I don’t agree with, so I don’t hang around with them anymore — which is OK! I’ve made a bunch of new friends and enjoy hanging out with them.
Alexa, 14, New York
I did drift apart from some friends, but I made a lot of new ones through new activities and classes. I faced a lot of peer pressure in middle school, which is why I think it’s very important to make sure not to “lose sight of who you are” (one of my favorite quotes from Wicked). Sometimes I saw people act like they weren’t as smart as they actually were just to impress others. Don’t do this! I don’t think you should ever have to dumb-down for anyone — you should be smart and strong and be proud of it! As long as you’re true to yourself, open to change and willing to make new friends, you’ll have a great time in middle school!
To read many more girls’ opinions about middle school, type BackToSchool in the search box at NewMoon.com.
Nancy Gruver founded New Moon Girl Media with her daughters and husband in 1992. New Moon provides a safe, creative and positive world for girls. Membership includes both the online community at NewMoon.com and the bi-monthly New Moon Girls magazine.
by Nancy Gruver
