Wow, guys! It’s been a hot minute since I’ve written on the ~blogosphere~. Luckily, I have a lovely listicle for you today. This listicle features all the lessons and things I learned throughout middle school. The change and maturity that has happened through these past three years is crazy. Let’s just say I had a glow up too. Enough with the nostalgic middle school talk, let’s get onto all the lessons I learned from the past three years!

1) Study skills

In middle school, I learned how to study for tests effectively. In elementary school, all I really had to do was look at my study guide and memorize it. In middle school, I learned how to make flashcards, have study seshs with friends, and how to use study websites. Thank you Quizlet for helping me with studying for Spanish and Civics.

2) Communication with others is key

Over the past three years, I’ve learned how to communicate and talk with others. You’re held with more responsibilities in middle school, which means you have to communicate with your teachers and peers. I write many emails a day to my teachers asking about assignments, and I email my friends about funny things that happen throughout the day. 

3) Socialize and be friends with everyone

Be kind. Be nice. It’s not that terrible. Talk to people that you wouldn’t talk to. Don’t just stick to your same ol’ friend group. Step out of your comfort zone and make new friends!

4) Step out of your comfort zone

Just like I said previously, step out of your comfort zone. Sign up for a foreign language, take an honors class, go the extra mile! It will all be worth it in the end. I know that in middle school, especially this year in eighth grade, I’ve stepped out of my safe haven, and I don’t regret a thing. 

5) Time management

Time management (and I cannot stress this enough) is BY FAR the most important thing in middle school. I have a busy schedule with basketball practice, piano, NJHS, Sources of Strength, etc. I have to use time management skills to complete my homework and study. Of course everyone needs time for him/ herself, so make sure you set a time of the day when you can do something you enjoy.

6) Handling stress

Middle school is stressful. Especially going into middle school when you’re coming in from elementary school. Tests get harder, teachers expect more, and you have more assignments. That’s why it’s good to find a way you can de-stress. For me, I like running to relieve my stress. Watching “The Vampire Diaries” is a pretty good one too. 

7) Keeping a happy outlook

It can be really hard at times, but try to think on the positive side of things. I find myself very sad and down if I think of all the things that I have to accomplish and are making me sad. Try to set goals and do something that makes you happy. 

8) Be friends with your teachers 

Teachers can be mean at first, but most of them come around and will be your besties. In sixth grade, I was almost scared of my teachers! Seventh and eighth I started being more social with them and finding things we have in common with each other. 

9) Set priorities

Set goals that are reasonable and achievable for you. Prioritize your goals and what you need to do, so that you don’t become stressed to the max. I know it’s hard sometimes to know what you need to get done right away, but my advice is to get the hardest task done first. 

I hope everyone learned something from this blog post! In the comments below, comment one thing you have learned in middle school and how it impacted you. By the way, my class and I have signed up for the Spring Student Blogging Challenge! This means I’ll be publishing more blog posts. Let me know what you would like to see on my blog. Thank you to all my readers! Remember to keep it cool. 

 

–Anna Claire