Surviving Middle School: A Practical Guide from 8th Graders

8th graders respond to this question:
"What advice would you give to incoming 6th graders about surviving middle school years?"

• “Don’t cuss. It’s not cool.”
• “Don’t carry a binder with a strap. It’s nerdy.”
• “It’s going to be tough, so be strong.”
• “Don’t wear makeup.”
• “Really just forget about trying to be popular.”
• “Be prepared to hate a lot of people, but cope with them.”
• “Don’t go to ISS (in school suspension). It’s not cool, either.”
• “As cliché as it might sound, just try and be your normal self.”
• “Stay away from the wrong crowd.”
• “Actually try working in school.”
• “Don’t remediate everything all at once at the end of the six weeks grading period.”
• “Go to tutoring.”
• Get on the teachers’ good side in the first semester, so they can be more lenient with you during the second semester.”
• “Stay focused on your grades and don’t get distracted with all the new extracurricular activities offered to you. If you don’t keep your grades up, you’ll be kicked out of the activities.”
• “Don’t go to the 8th grade hallway.”
• “Keep a low profile and prepare to lose your social life for the first few weeks.”
• “Middle school is not as scary as it seems. Just do your work.”
• “Don’t procrastinate and stay organized.”
• “Hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.”

Follow @mrspiapulido