How To Be Successful In Middle School With Pictures

People you’ve known for years may start to seem different to you. You may start to seem different to them as well. This is a natural part of growing up.

Your parents will have their own ideas of what success means for you. This, of course, is important as well. Talk with your parents about your goals for middle school and how you can work together to achieve them. Remember: you may disagree with your parents’ priorities, but if you remain calm and not throw a big temper tantrum if you don’t happen to get your way, you’ll leave the door of communication open, giving you and your parents a chance to come to some type of mutual agreement. Working together often leads to a reasonable compromise in which both sides are still happy and talking to one another! After all, communication is the key!

Stick up for what you believe in and what you know is right. For instance, turn in someone who is bullying you or other kids. If this costs you a childhood friend, don’t worry. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to make new, better friends in middle school.

Keep track of your schedule and look at your planner every day. Writing in it after every class can be a good way to start the habit. Make sure you know when your tests are coming up and when big assignments are going to be due. It is your responsibility to make sure you have your work done on time and are prepared for any exams. Your middle school teachers will expect you to.

Keep these binders organized. Use dividers to separate notes from assignments. The less time it takes you to find your notes, homework, and study guides, the more time you have to actually get things done.

Store all your school supplies in one place so that you’re not hunting all over the house for the pencil sharpener.

If you need to be out of school, make sure you talk with your teacher about the material you missed. While you’re gone, email him or her and check their website if they have one for assignments. Catch up on your homework as soon as possible.

Keep your notes organized by starting a new sheet every day. Put the date and the title of what you’re learning at the top of the page. Listen for audio cues from your teacher. He/she will tend to vocally emphasize what is most important. Don’t worry about writing whole sentences. Instead, develop your own shorthand and shortcuts. Remember, no one has to be able to read it but you, so go ahead a write a squiggle every time your teacher says “Mitosis”. It’s okay as long as you understand it. Review your notes each day when you’re doing your homework. Rewrite your notes more neatly and fully. This will also help the information stick in your brain better.

Learn to identify the most important concepts. Highlight key names, themes, etc. , in your notes and put sticky notes in your textbook to mark key passages. Rewrite your notes so that you can organize the information and make your writing neat and easy to follow. Create study aids such as flash cards, diagrams, and so on. Find a study buddy. This is ideally someone who has a good grasp on the material. [6] X Expert Source Daron CamAcademic Tutor Expert Interview. 29 May 2020. Working together may help you see things from a different angle. Work hard to stay focused on studying. Talk about music or football another time.

Listen to instructions that your teacher gives you. Read all the directions on the test. Pace yourself. Be sure to leave yourself enough time to finish the entire test. Don’t keep looking at the clock, since that might stress you out more. But gauge how long it might take you to answer questions in each section of the test. If a question stumps you, come back to it later. [7] X Research source Double-check all of your answers. Reduce anxiety you might feel about taking tests. When you are more prepared and understand the material, your anxiety will lessen. Take deep breaths before the exam and repeat to yourself, “I will do well on this test. ”

Try to complete all your homework as soon as you arrive home from school. Do this before distractions and responsibilities take over. If you have to attend to other things as soon as school is over, block out a specific time each evening for homework completion. Keep limits on your “screen time. ” This includes your phone, TV, computer, etc. [8] X Research source Don’t play computer games or text with your friends until your homework is done, for example. Take responsibility for your own learning and homework. Don’t copy your friend’s homework. If you’re having trouble keeping up in a class, talk to your teacher sooner rather than later. Don’t wait until you’ve fallen hopelessly behind.

If you’re having trouble with pre-algebra or early American history, for instance, talk to your teachers about additional resources that might help. Your teachers may even be able to suggest tutoring options.

Don’t cheat on tests or copy other people’s homework. If you do and you get caught, don’t try to lie your way out of it. Tell the truth.

Take advantage of drop-in tutoring centers. Middle schools have a free tutoring resource that any students can use to get up to speed on their studies. The tutoring center can help if you are struggling with a subject, or if you are just looking for some help to get the best grade in the class.

Join a club. Math clubs, service organizations, and the student council are some of the opportunities in middle school. Meet new people (or old people in new ways) and discover your passions and what the new, more mature you can accomplish. Play a sport. Try out for the basketball or soccer team. Even if you end up riding the bench, you’ll enjoy the camaraderie and competition. Volunteer. Do a trash pickup or help set up a bake sale for a good cause. Recruit old and new friends for the cause. Don’t be afraid to take the initiative.

If you feel like a “friend” isn’t very nice to you, talk with her about it. If she doesn’t change her ways, it’s probably better, in the long run, to move on. Make sure to stay away from others who are reckless and get into trouble a lot. Even if they are your friends, don’t let them drag you down with them and possibly jeopardize your academic success or other relationships and friendships.

Healthy relationships start with respect, trust, and friendship. You should also feel free to have other friends and be independent. Don’t feel pressured to start dating yet. You may feel that because your friends are dating, you should be too. But some studies show that when you start dating too early, your attention turns away from academics and you may actually perform worse on your school work. [11] X Research source

Teenagers naturally seem to organize themselves into like-minded groups or cliques. This isn’t always a bad thing, but don’t be too quick to judge and exclude people. Be welcoming and inclusive to others. Set a positive example.

Stand up for others if you see bullying going on. Don’t stand by and let others be bullied. If you are being bullied or see it happening to someone else, report it to a teacher. Bullying is not acceptable behavior.

Ask for advice on things like taking notes in class, studying for tests, or even staying out of trouble (gasp)!

Get to know other adults at the school as well, from administrators and guidance counselors to nurses and librarians.

If you have thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 from the [988lifeline. org Suicide and Crisis Lifeline].

If you’re having trouble getting to sleep, turn off all screens about 15 to 30 minutes before bed. Studies show that your brain is engaged when you are looking at information on a screen, which can contribute to difficulty getting to sleep. [15] X Research source

Start the day with a good breakfast. Studies show that a good breakfast will help you improve your performance on school work throughout the day. [16] X Research source Try a fruit and yogurt smoothie, oatmeal or eggs and toast. [17] X Research source

You’ll figure things out as you go. You learn by trying, and sometimes failing, and always by getting back up and trying again.