SMP (Junior High School) is a big step in every child's life. This means that you have left elementary school and entered a new world of high school, which will make you more valued, like other people, have to do more homework, and have more things to do. Some parts of this middle school life will be scary, while others will be fun. Make the most of these three or four years. Middle school can be tough, so if you don't know what to do during this time, read on!
Step
Part 1 of 5: Avoiding Trouble
Step 1. Find out the rules at your school
Don't get in trouble with the teacher or principal in your first year because you broke all the rules you didn't know about. Make sure you learn your school's dress code and other rules, and follow all of these rules! If the teachers don't like you or you're seen as a troublemaker, your middle school years will only get harder. Don't follow what your friends are doing, even if they try to persuade you to do it.
Step 2. Ignore drama/gossip
This is the best way to avoid problems in SMP. There will be a lot of gossip and people spreading rumors (which can be very cruel at times). Ignore these rumors, even if you are the topic. If someone tells you or asks you about a rumour, tell them to ignore the rumor and not spread it. Don't start a rumour: rumors can ruin friendships, create enemies, hurt feelings, and make things worse for everyone.
- Some types of rumors can be so hurtful that they make those they talk about want to hurt themselves. You certainly don't want to be a part of rumors like this, do you? Help stop rumors and save lives by standing up for others and not participating in spreading rumors.
- Even if you know that an information is true, be aware that it may be sensitive or private to a person. You can't share it. You also don't want other people to share your private secrets, do you?
Step 3. Choose your friends wisely
This is very important. Make friends with people who don't like starting dramas or participating in them, and you'll avoid the worst things that usually happen in middle school. Create small groups of good friends. Each group has its own set of problems, but if you suddenly feel that your life is full of drama like a soap opera, consider finding a new, quieter group of friends.
Step 4. Don't let your friends bring you trouble
Similar to the steps above, don't make friends with people who can cause you serious problems. If someone asks you to lie about something important, do something illegal, or do something to hurt someone else, don't do it. do not do it any that makes you feel uncomfortable or you think is wrong. This is called social pressure and can lead you to all kinds of problems.
Don't be afraid to tell an adult if someone asks or tells you to do something really bad. This doesn't make you an uncool person: instead you will become a good person for doing the right thing. If you make the wrong decision, talk to an adult you trust. Talking about the wrong decision with a friend is actually the fastest way to spread gossip about yourself
Step 5. Don't do anything that will hurt yourself
Just as you don't want to hurt others, don't do anything to hurt yourself. Don't take drugs, play suffocating games (or anything that other people think is legal), or hurt yourself, for example by slicing your hands. If you need help, there will be people who are always ready to help you.
Step 6. Don't worry about relationships
By the time you're in middle school, you'll start to feel more mature and may want a boyfriend. You will also definitely start to seriously have a crush on some people! However, relationships are difficult, stressful, and usually cause more trouble than beautiful things. You can like someone and maybe flirt a bit, but stay alone and focus on having fun, making friends, and learning things.
Step 7. Don't worry about exercise time
Everyone used to worry about this in middle school. You may have heard that you have to change clothes in front of other male/female friends, or you may simply have never been very good at sports and feel shy. Remember, everyone is really worried and embarrassed too, you are not alone.
- You may feel as though everyone is watching you as you change clothes, but they are really focused on changing their own clothes. They won't notice you, because they're too busy thinking YOU are watching them. Everyone just wants to focus on himself and change clothes as fast as possible!
- If you are a woman and worry about your period when you change clothes, wear black or brown underwear. Thus, no one would notice it. Middle school talks about all the little changes in your body; if you are nervous about the changes, talk to your mother or another adult/mentor you trust.
Step 8. Learn to solve problems
This is a very important skill, not only to get through middle school, but to get through your whole life. If you learn ways to solve problems well, you will be able to overcome all the things that come your way in the future.
- For example, learn how to ask for help when you need it. Sometimes you may feel silly asking for help, or not wanting to admit that you really need it. You don't have to feel this way. Everyone has problems, and anyone you turn to for help will understand. They themselves have also asked for help from others.
- Apologize and accept the consequences when you do something wrong. Refusing to admit that you were wrong when you did something bad, even if you didn't mean to, will only make things more difficult for you. You will feel guilty or have to face other people's anger. Don't let it happen to you. If you spread a rumor, apologize. If you lied to a teacher, admit your lie.
- Communicate clearly if you want to avoid trouble. Often, rumors are created because someone misunderstood what you said, or vice versa (you misunderstood what he or she said). You may also inadvertently offend others. Make sure you know what you're saying and be careful when you say it.
Step 9. Trust that things will get better
Remember: we certainly don't want middle school to be the worst that will happen to us. We want to create really fun moments too. However, we're also not going to tell you that everything in middle school will be as fun as it would be in a fairy tale world. Middle school can be a tough time. Just make sure you always believe that there will be happy times, and even though there will be hard times, no matter how hard they are, things will always get better.
Part 2 of 5: Make friends
Step 1. Find people you know
This will allow you to have some friends to start your middle school years with. You can ask your elementary school friends about the junior high they will go to at the end of the year. Just make sure you write down their phone number so you can make an appointment at the new school.
Step 2. Find people who live near you
Once you start school, you can also try to make friends with people who get off and ride at the same bus stops as you. Friends living in your neighborhood can be useful, as you'll find it easier to go out with them, and can contact them if you need help with homework or advice.
Step 3. Be open to new trends
Even if many of your elementary school friends are in the same middle school as you, you should still try to make new friends. If you don't, you'll never know what you might have missed. It's possible that someone new you meet will become your closest friend for a while.
Step 4. Join extracurricular clubs
The best way to meet new friends is to join extracurricular clubs at your school. Most schools have at least a few clubs, and some have tons of clubs! You can also start your own club if you don't find one that suits you. There might be a book club, Bible study club, film club, theater club, environmental club, robot club, or yearbook club (these are just a few examples).
- Don't forget exercise! There are sports teams available for you to join, but there may also be clubs that are meant to watch or just play friendly matches, especially if you're not very good at sports, or just don't want to officially join the school team.
- Volunteering can also be considered a club activity that will help you meet new people as potential friends. Your school may have volunteer groups to raise funds for events, create greeting cards for the elderly or people at the hospital, clean up the local park, or other interesting activities.
Step 5. Show your interest
You have to show what you like in a less flashy way, so people who like the same things know they can come up to you and talk about it with you. This is a great way to make friends, because you and the other person will know that you share common interests.
For example, if you like the Adventure Time series, you can wear a Lumpy Space Princess pin in your backpack. If you like video games, have a notebook with a picture of your favorite game on the cover. If you like a particular sports team, wear a bracelet for that team
Step 6. Be confident
If you show people that you are a great potential friend, and that you can offer them a lot of things, they will be more willing to be friends with you. Don't always apologize and back off if people don't like you right away. Speak up, stand tall, and celebrate what makes you unique.
Step 7. Talk to other people
This is the most important thing when you want to make friends! You can never make friends if you don't talk to other people. Enter into interesting conversations and introduce yourself to the people you want to be friends with.
Make sure you speak clearly so people can hear you! Speak earnestly
Step 8. Do fun things
If other people see that you're having fun, they'll want to join you and befriend you so they can have fun too. You can also do interesting things by joining a club, drawing in between classes, or having parties/other activities after school time is over.
Step 9. Be friendly
If you want people to be friends with you, make sure you're friendly. Who wants to be friends with an asshole? There is not any! Be friendly to everyone you meet, even if they are not friendly to you. People will start to realize that you are a nice person and they will want to be more friendly to you.
- You also need to be actively friendly, not just polite. Help friends who are struggling in class, stand up for others who are bullied, and do nice things to others when the opportunity arises. Also give honest compliments to others when they seem to need it!
- You never know when someone is going through the hardest times. They may actually be feeling stressed but don't show it. Your kind words or actions can make a big difference in them.
- Remember that, sometimes, when people act badly, they do it because they feel bad about themselves, or something is going on in their life. They are cruel because they do not know hospitality! Try to stay friendly with them, even if they are mean to you. You may be able to help them become better people.
Part 3 of 5: Achievements in Academics
Step 1. Watch the lesson
If you want to do well in class, the best way to start is by paying attention to the lessons! Your grades will improve drastically if you pay attention to the lessons and try to absorb as much information as possible. Don't play with your phone, try not to dream in broad daylight, and don't chat with friends on paper. You'll still have time for fun later!
Step 2. Take notes
Take notes in class. You don't have to write down everything your teacher says: just write down the most important parts or information that is difficult to remember. Write down things that you would say to someone who wasn't in class. This will help you study for future exams, as well as do your homework.
Step 3. Do your homework
Doing homework is very important to get good grades. If you don't, you will almost certainly get bad grades, even if you do well on exams and other assignments. Take some quiet time each afternoon and work your homework to completion. Ask for help if you need it! Your homework shouldn't be so time-consuming that you don't have time to rest.
Step 4. Keep it tidy
Don't put everything in your backpack. This will make you forget about assignments or lose important papers. Instead of doing so, set up a dedicated folder for assignments and homework, and sort them by deadline. Set up another folder for notes and sort by subject.
Consider buying an agenda. Your life should also be neatly organized! Buy an agenda and plan your day neatly. Take time to do homework, play outside with friends, get ready for school and have breakfast in the morning, and everything else you have to do in your day
Step 5. Don't procrastinate
Many people develop a very bad habit of procrastination. This means they don't do the things they should be doing, but wait until the very last moment! This is a bad thing, because when you finally do something, your work will be bad because you are in a hurry. You will also become really stressed. Create a good habit of doing things at set times and you will save yourself a lot of trouble.
Step 6. Ask a question
This is a good way to make sure you improve your grades. When you don't understand something, ask! That way, you know you've done something right. Even if you already understand something, it's still advisable to ask questions about other things that intrigue you. Always ask questions and you will get smarter and smarter.
Step 7. Learn as much as possible
If you really want good grades, you have to study. Read all the books that are given to you and devote plenty of time to study. Middle school is an important time to develop good school habits, so getting used to studying in this time will help you in the future.
Step 8. Don't worry about your grades
You don't need to get straight A's in all subjects. Just focus on learning as much as you can, developing good school habits, and getting the highest grades you can. In the end, the university and your future job will not care about your A grades in middle school. Don't settle for a C-, but you shouldn't be discouraged if you get a B or a B+ either.
Part 4 of 5: Improving Yourself
Step 1. Explore yourself
Middle school is a good time to explore the things you love and find out what's important to you. You have to get into activities you think you'll enjoy, learn to do the things you've always wanted to do, and read about the things you want to do in the future.
- Read books about people who inspire you. Find out what they did to get to their position and determine if you want to do the same.
- Extracurricular clubs are a great way to explore what makes you happy! Join a club at your school.
- The internet can also be a great place to explore the things you love, especially nerdy stuff! You will find it easier to find people who like the same things as you on the internet. Just be careful, because just like in the real world, there are so many bad people on the internet.
Step 2. Develop good hygiene habits
Make sure you wash your body, keep your face clean, wear clean clothes, and do other things to keep yourself looking good. This will help you develop self-confidence and make you feel more comfortable in your body, even if your body is changing.
Step 3. Learn how to balance obligations with fun times
While you should make time to study in middle school, you should also learn to balance obligations with time for fun and relaxation. You'll be crazy if you spend too much time studying, but on the other hand, you'll also have a hard time coping with life if you never learn to be responsible.
Step 4. Get involved
You may not realize it, as many people do, but helping others can be the most fulfilling thing you will ever do. Making a positive difference in your community and world can make you feel like a superhero, because you will be playing the role of a hero! Be a volunteer and help people in need. Find out how you can improve the quality of life for the world around you.
Step 5. Exercise and eat a healthy diet
School trains your mind to stay healthy and fit, but you have to make sure your body stays healthy too. Eat a nutritious diet, and get enough exercise to keep your body in good shape. Being healthy now means you will get used to developing good habits for life!
Step 6. Practice your talents
If you're great at doing something, find a way to do it! Develop the talents you love and the things you are good at. Your talents can usually be turned into a job or hobby when you're older (even now). Talk to your parents about what you can do, and if they can't help, talk to a teacher.
For example, if you're good at drawing, take an art class. If you are quick to learn a song, join a school band. If you're good at math, offer to teach other students (for extra grades from the teacher or money!). The possibilities here are endless
Step 7. Don't exaggerate the little things
You'll be a much happier person and easier to cope with the problems and stresses of middle school if you learn to care about only the things that really matter. This can be difficult to do and takes a lot of time to learn, but you should keep it in mind.
- For example, don't think about things like losing a game (it's just a game after all!), feeling forgotten (you'll eventually meet good friends and maybe, you're not really as alone as you feel), people -people who accuse you of something (the drama is theirs, not yours, just ignore these people), or other kids who make fun of you (you will laugh at them one day when they work at the convenience store while you succeed graduated from college).
- Instead of thinking about those things, think about things like justice, current events, and the world around you. These are the things that are important and you should always worry about: otherwise, you won't do anything about them, and if other people don't do anything about it, the problem will never get any better.
Step 8. Trust that you are normal
There will be many times when you feel different and alone. You may be afraid because you like the "wrong" person. You may feel like no one understands you because you like the "wrong" things. You may feel neglected because you and your parents don't look like anyone else. However, you have to understand that no matter how alone you feel, no matter how "wrong" or weird you are, there are so many people like you. One day, you'll meet them and you'll meet better friends and family members you never imagined…and you'll be happier than you thought possible.
- For example, you may notice that when all the other girls giggle when they talk about boys, you don't feel the same way. You may even want a very close relationship with other girls. This shouldn't make you feel like there's something wrong with you, because there really isn't anything wrong with you. Just relax and let the time pass. You never know how you will feel in the next few months or even years.
- You may think you're weird because your family doesn't look or talk like any other family. Maybe your family doesn't speak English. Maybe your father is black and your mother is Asian. The important thing to understand is that families come in all shapes and sizes, and as long as you love each other in them, that's all that matters. You are just like everyone else, no matter what your family looks like.
Part 5 of 5: Practicing Defensive Skills in Middle School
Step 1. Get used to menstruation if you are a woman
This can be a source of embarrassment and anxiety, but it shouldn't be. All girls have to face the same problem! Prepare yourself then you will not worry.
Step 2. Learn how to hide an erection if you are a boy
All boys will also face this problem at some point in their life. Don't worry: this is completely normal! Know how to solve the problem and you won't have to worry about anything.
Step 3. Practice your coordination
Many embarrassing moments in middle school stem from tripping, falling, or bumping into someone or something at the worst possible moment. Train your body coordination and pay attention to your surroundings and avoid gossip that might be created because you fell in a puddle during the flag ceremony.
Step 4. Dress well
You may be worried about uniforms, because most junior high schools today require it. You may want to look cool and be yourself. You can do it! With just a little creativity, your uniform won't be the problem you have to think about.
Step 5. Buy a quality bra if you are a girl
Girls will need a bra and this can be a little scary. However, don't worry: this is completely normal. Don't be shy about asking your mom or dad for help, and have the store clerk help you find the right size.
Step 6. Take good care of your body
Of course, no one wants their body to stink! Since you're going through puberty, you're more likely to smell and sweat more. Don't worry: this is normal! With just a little effort, you can still be clean and ready for your day.
Step 7. Don't ignore embarrassing pimples
As your body grows, you may have to deal with acne problems. This is normal, but you shouldn't ignore it! With a little help, you can keep your skin clean and looking good.
Step 8. Stop bullying when it happens
Don't let yourself be bullied, bullied, or allow other people to be bullied. Be brave enough to stop the ongoing bullying and make your school a better place for everyone!
Step 9. Learn good study skills
This will be very important, not only for middle school, but for the rest of your school career. Get in the habit of studying well now and you'll get better grades and opportunities for the rest of your life.
Step 10. Learn how to open your locker
Many junior high school students have difficulty opening their lockers. Combination locks are sometimes difficult to use, even for adults. Learn how to use it and your life in middle school will become a lot easier.
Tips
- If someone is being rude to you or your friends, stand up for them, but don't let you go too far and get into trouble.
- Don't feel sad. You will always have a friend in middle school. If he doesn't want to help you, he's not your friend.
- Keep your body clean. If you're a woman, have pads ready just in case you start your period.
- Make sure you are careful who you become friends with. If they ask you to drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes, this means you have made friends with the wrong people.
- Whatever other people say, remember that you are perfect, and no one can change that. Always listen to yourself and don't hurt others. Also make sure no one is hurting you.
- Make sure you have some good friends close by. They will support you and make your middle school years much more enjoyable.
- If there was a gym in your middle school, you might be a little scared. Changing clothes in front of friends of the same gender is actually not a bad thing. Just take off your t-shirt while changing into your pants and face the locker when you're wearing a sweatshirt. Keep deodorant, body spray, wet wipes, combs, hair ties, and bandanas in your locker. Remember, change quickly.
- Be yourself! Don't try to look cool.
- You and your best friend may be drifting apart. You may lose him and feel lonely, but this is normal. Let time pass and you will be fine.
- If you're in the latest batch of your junior high, don't worry; Upper class kids aren't as scary as they seem. Eighth graders probably won't bother you unless they feel insecure themselves. They had fun in seventh grade and didn't care anymore. You're probably going to get more trouble from seventh graders. If this happens, just ignore it. Think that in the next year or two, it will be your turn to have fun. Think of this as your pending entitlement.
- Instead of using a binder, opt for a trapper. Instead of carrying all your folders with you wherever you go, the trapper has a place for all your stuff. There's a holder for pencils, paper, scissors, shavings and files - instead of using 10 folders! You can also buy extra pockets for things like colored pencils, crayons, etc.
- Don't be afraid to be friends with a boy even if you don't have a crush on him. People may make fun of you and think you're dating them, but as long as you're happy, that's all that matters. Girls and boys can ONLY be friends.
- If you set up a social media account, like Instagram, Facebook, or Oovoo, group chat rooms can be daunting. If there is drama in your chat group, leave the group! Drama can be a very distracting thing; You have to focus on your values!
- Don't want to be the girl or boy everyone has a crush on. Just watch what they do and follow them, but add your own personal style!
- Be careful about drugs in junior high. You can get health problems from drugs. Remember who your real friends are and remember that life is too precious!
- Also remember that all the other kids are just as anxious as you are. This anxiety will pass after the first week. If you stay confident and be yourself (don't forget to have fun too), you'll be fine.
- Try not to have a crush on someone. This will distract you and focus your brain on him. After all, do you really need a boyfriend at 12 or 13?
- Meet the teacher before or after school. If a teacher can't help you because he or she is busy, find another teacher who teaches the same subject, perhaps in a different area. If not, you can ask seniors for help.
- Prepare an extra set of clothes and two extra sets of underwear! You may need it: maybe you spilled something on yourself at lunch, or something else embarrassing happened. Get ready. If you have to change for an embarrassing reason and someone else asks you questions, just say you accidentally sat on something that felt weird.
- While it may seem like middle school is a tough time, the difficulties are only as big as you think!
- Try to stay away from the problem. You can have some fun once in a while, but don't overdo it.
- In middle school, you will notice that groups are formed based on popularity and personality. There will be children who have emo moments. Don't get caught up in it and think about who you really are before making any big decisions. If you are yourself, you will be much more confident and self-respecting, and bullies will stay away from you. Otherwise, they won't affect you much because you're confident.
- Don't be fake. If you try to be someone else, you will never be truly happy. The most important thing is that you stay true to yourself.
- Make sure your grades stay good. Studying is the first priority, and everything you learn you will use during your middle and high school years.
- Don't focus on the boys. Yes, it's fun to have a crush on someone, but don't let your world center around them. And if you're a boy, don't focus on the girls!
- Remember that you don't have to bully others or yourself, no matter how much you want to.
- Don't be afraid to end the friendship if you don't get along with your friend. Some people may bully others so badly that the bullied becomes a forced "friend," even though these people are actually being used to do things the bully wants, or to make the bully look popular. Keep this in mind and your life will become much easier; which means you'll have a harder time feeling "life is hard because of A."
- Make sure you have pocket money! If you are having trouble getting pocket money from your parents, talk to a teacher. He will help you and not tell your friends. There's no need to be ashamed.
- Buy and wear a watch. Make sure you know how to read it. Analog watches are better than digital watches, but you are free to choose what you like.
- Be careful when choosing friends.
- You can change yourself or your image as long as you enjoy the process.
- If you change in the gym locker room and feel uncomfortable, ask your teacher or supervisor for permission to change clothes in the bathroom.
- Don't change yourself to look "cool," just because some people think that if you don't wear something you're not "cool." What they think is not important. Most likely they just want to envy you.
- Avoid changing your personality just to make yourself "cool." Chances are, people will like who you are, not the role you're trying to play.
- For boys, be friendly to girls, even if they don't act like women. Stay away from problems, you certainly don't want any stains on your journey to success in this life..
Warning
- Don't cheat on exams or take quizzes. This will have a huge impact on your social and academic life.
- If you see one of your friends being bullied, don't stand still. Defend himself or report to a teacher/other adult. What kind of friend lets his friend get hurt?
- Notify an adult when you see illegal activity. When someone punches someone in the face, tell an adult. You may feel uncomfortable doing this, but behavior and judgment are what matters to you, not popularity.
- You'll run into some bad people, like bullies, so just try to ignore them, and they'll probably ignore you too. However, if the bully continues to bully you and you can't seem to stop him, tell a parent or teacher you trust.
- Middle school years can be the most difficult for some people. If you think you can't handle things at this time and want to hurt yourself, seek help. Find the nearest suicide prevention center in your area.
- Don't fight, or you'll get a bad reputation. Don't argue with the teacher, and don't get in trouble with other students. Play only when allowed. Anything negative about you or what you do will continue to follow your academic life.
