How to Prepare for a Successful Year in Middle School
3 Ways to Prepare for Middle School
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What is middle school like?
When Aladdin placed Jasmine on his magic carpet to show her a whole new world, it seemed fun.
The transition from elementary school to middle school gives the phrase a whole new world a different type of feeling (anxiety, night sweats, and nausea...and that’s the parents).
The new teachers, subjects, and responsibilities often seem a little too much for the average child. Some teachers wish 6th grade could remain in elementary school and 7th and 8th grade could return to a junior high system.
However, we can’t change an entire school system in a blog post…but we can give you ways to prepare! Whether you are starting middle school in the fall or need to make an epic comeback this year - these tips will help your child rock middle school with confidence! You can also grab the free Parent’s Guide to Middle School by clicking here!
Common Concerns about Middle School
As children move from elementary school to middle school, they can be thrilled about this huge step, but still nervous about the big buildings, classroom changes, new teachers and don’t even get me started on PE.
Students are also trying to figure out organization (dealing with lockers or finally writing in a planner, for example), punctuality, bullying, and integrating puberty and frenemy drama.
For many students, the biggest question is “Where will I fit in?” This question applies to the social and academic aspects of school. Where will your child land with their class work? Where will they land in a new group of friends? It’s a lot to process at that age!
I’m still processing my middle school experience today!
All of these concerns can be handled if you start early.
3 Ways to Get Ready for Middle School
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Attend Orientation Together or Look for School Camps
The best way to chip away at middle school transition nerves is to attend any and all orientations!
Call the school to find out about plans for orientation for new students. If there is an orientation program, take the time to attend it with your child. Don’t let them handle things on their own. Get to know your child’s teachers and find out more about the school from the school administrators.
Learn more about the school policies and take walks to know different locations such as the cafeteria, auditorium, and more.
If you know who your child’s school counselor is, send an introduction email, but keep in mind, they may be off over the summer or have limited office hours!
If you are entering your second or third year of middle school, look at the summer camps the schools are offering. If your kiddo is looking for a new crop of friends or starting a new sport or activity a camp could be a good way to go.
This is a great way to get a feel for the campus and meet a few new friends for the upcoming year!
Teach Organization and Time Management
Organizational and time management skills are integral parts of the study skills which every preteen and teen need to learn.
We aren’t born with an automatic ability to organize our lives. They are skills that need to be taught, and in 6th grade, their brains aren’t even ready to handle all that is coming at them!
Calendars and planners are exceptional tools for managing time and organizing activities. One of my personal favorite planner to use is the Planner Pad. It’s a planner that turns your time management upside down! Check it out here! You can also teach the use of to-do list that ensures that nothing is left undone.
Of course, we know many kiddos had planners in elementary school but never used them.
As an academic coach, I help students develop systems that work for them… that they actually use! If you don’t want to fight this fight alone, sign up for the wait-list for my new course The Organized School Year™
Prioritize Daily Communication
Communicating with your child on a daily basis helps him/her to know that you’re involved and willing to be connected. There are many things to talk about such as classes, relationships with teachers and friends, progress with assignments, extracurricular involvement, and so on.
When you create time every day to listen to your child, you give them that support and presence they strongly need. As you communicate, try to listen more than you speak. This will determine how well your child will respond to you.
You can also encourage your child to discuss their struggles with the school counselor.
How can we prioritize communication in a world of smart phones and YouTube? It’s not enough for parents to tell their kiddos to put down the phone. WE NEED TO DISCONNECT OURSELVES FROM TECHNOLOGY. It’s hard! There is always one last email to write, one more Facebook status to read, one more Instaglam photo to like. However, if we are going to promote communication with our children we need to lead. What genuine communication look like for you?
As a former school counselor turned academic coach, I understand the difficulties that come with the transition and blending in. I’m committed to helping kids prepare for middle school and do it with confidence! Contact me for information about academic coaching spots . While I am based in Orlando, Fl my academic coaching students live across the country!
