How To Succeed In Your First Year of Middle School
Starting middle school is exciting, and it’s a big milestone. Some K12 students may not be aware that it’s more challenging than elementary, while others are uneasy about the giant leap. Have no fear; as long as you’re prepared, know what to expect and what to do, you’ll have a smooth transition to middle school.
The most important thing to do before starting middle school is to be ready to study, longer and harder. So, of course, you’ll need a good study area. A good recipe for that usually includes no distractions, a comfortable desk and chair, good lighting, a place for your books and any other supplies you’ll need. To rid your area of distractions, try removing your computer (if you won’t be using it), other electronics, toys, novels, and anything else that may divert your concentration. But if the stillness leaves you bored, you can always look for a willing friend, sibling, or parent to help you hit the books. Maybe even a calm and quiet pet can keep you company!
If you feel you need a change, move around. Try multiple studying areas, even outdoors! Grab a study snack if you like. A timer is useful as well, for taking breaks and seeing how much you can memorize in, say, five minutes. Do anything that will help you focus, concentrate, and study!
Now that you have a place to study, experiment and find a studying style that suits you best. Some methods are reading things aloud, looking at the pictures in your books, color coding information using highlighters, re-reading, recreating an outline of the information, or making up skits. It’s a good idea to do whatever you find comfortable and helps you remember all you need to know.
For studying material, try learning to take notes from your books and online lessons. If you haven’t already, it’s important to start in fifth grade at latest. Try talking to middle school students and your teachers to find out what subjects you should take notes on. Base your note-taking on how useful your other studying aids are and how much information there is to remember.
When you start taking notes, it saves time and energy to focus on main ideas instead of minutiae, in addition to making it easier to study. Jot down the most important main points. At the end of each unit, while reviewing, and when taking your unit assessments (if they’re open-note), see if you need to add anything you missed that may be useful for later. And you’re done! Remember, note-taking can take some time to master. As you get used to it, you won’t have to go through this process. This way, you’ll be prepared for note-taking in middle school!
It’s usually best to study before any test, even if you think you’re already ready. To make sure you know everything, you can review your notes, worksheets, and online lessons. But it’s extremely important not to cram! Cramming is when you try to study all the material in a short period of time. Of course, it may be necessary if you forget that a test is coming up or if you don’t plan your time well, but try to avoid that as much as you can. Brain studies* have shown that it’s much more useful, instead, to study a little every day. And try not to leave a gap between studying and testing, so that you don’t forget information.
Preparing for semester assessments is hard work. Try studying just like you would for any other test, but also review previous unit assessments, which contain a lot of useful information and hints on what questions might appear in the semester assessment. While studying, review your old mistakes and focus on the corrected answers. Then, keep it up until the test comes up and until you feel you’re ready.
Make sure to plan your time carefully. If you feel more productive during certain hours of the day, do your most important work then. You’ll have subject teachers in middle school who will send you 180-day pacing guides. The guides show you what lessons to do each day, so use them to make sure you are not falling behind. It’s also a good idea to hand in assignments when you complete them, so they aren’t forgotten.
Another important thing to do in middle school is to stay in touch with your teachers. At the beginning of the year, make sure to watch orientations and find out who your teachers are by clicking on “Contact My Teachers” in “Quick Links.” In addition to subject teachers, you’ll have an academic coach (the same as a homeroom teacher, but he/she won’t grade your essays. Your English teacher will do that). It is mandatory to meet with them monthly via Skype, phone, or study halls, which are weekly class connects for talking with your teacher.
It can be helpful to meet with your teachers before tests and quizzes, and attend class connects about topics you need help with or are interested in. Never be afraid to reach out. They’re there to help you, just like brick-and-mortar school teachers. It’s invaluable to let them know if you are having a problem, or need to meet, or if you will not be on time for a scheduled meeting. Written contact is important too, so read Kmail daily, as it is your first path of communication with your teachers. They provide important information tests, study hall timings, when a teacher will be on leave, and much more, including fun events. In addition, look at announcements and file sharing, and check Skype for messages as well. But when you contact your teachers, remember that they’re busy too, and you have to respect their schedules.
Middle school isn’t only studying – there are so many field trips and events you can attend and clubs you can join. Maybe you’ll even qualify for the National Junior Honors Society! But make sure to balance fun and your studies. That, commitment, and hard work will leave you ready for your successful days in middle school.
*How We Learn by Benedict Carey