15 Tips for a New Middle Schooler

 

 

15 Steps to a Successful School-Year

Step 1:  Be in school, on time, every day. To do well in school, you must have a good attendance record.

Step 2:  Believe in yourself. Having a positive attitude is very important.  See yourself succeeding and you will!

Step 3:  Be organized.  Use a planner to keep yourself organized.  Take it with you to every class, and use it to keep track of assignments, test dates, etc.

Step 4:  Manage your time well.  Managing your time wisely ensures you have the time to do both what you need to do and what you want to do.  Be sure to include enough sleep in your busy schedule!  Tweens and teens need more sleep, about 8-10 hours!

Step 5:  Prioritize.  Start with your more important tasks and move down the list.  Stay on task - don't let yourself get sidetracked.  Stick to those tasks that must be completed and have the most impact on your success.  

Step 6:  Set personal and academic goals. Set both short-term goals (get an A on tomorrow's math test) and long-term goals (get on the honor roll).

Step 7:  Know your school's rules and academic requirements.  In order to meet success, it is important to know what the expectations are.

Step 8:  Be successful in the classroom.  Learn how to adapt to different teachers.  Know each teacher's class rules and procedures.  Have everything you need when you go to class.  Always do your homework.  Participate in class.  Treat others with courtesy and respect. 

Step 9:  Take good notes.  Be an active listener.  Listen and think about what your teacher is saying.  Recognize and write down important information.  Get copies of class notes if you are absent.

Step 10:  Study smart.  Find a good place to study.  Organize your study time.  Start studying for tests ahead of time.  Allow more time than you think you'll need.

Step 11:  Get involved.  Being involved in extracurricular activities is a great way to meet new people and to have fun.  Just don't try to get involved in too much or you might feel overwhelmed by activities that are meant to be fun.

Step 12:  Make good choices and decisions.  Make sure that your choices and decisions are consistent with your values and goals.

Step 13:  Get help when you need it.  If you need help or have a question, don't hesitate to ask!  Your teachers and counselor are always there to help.

Step 14:  Plan and prepare for your future.  Think about and investigate future career opportunities and what it takes to get there.

Step 15:  Always try your best.  Doing well in school is an investment in your future!