How to Survive Middle School

Lesson #1: POS is key

In Lesson #1, we'll be talking about P.O.S.-- Priortize, Organize, and Socialize.

These are they KEY to middle school! If you can get these down, you'll be able to rock the school.

Priortize: Do you REALLY need to sign up for every activity? Do you want to be on every competition, in every challenge? No, you don't. Trust me, it's harder than it seems. All you have to do is find your true passions. Mine, for example, are drawing, writing, and lacrosse. I can balance it all, because I prioritized. Choose the things that you want to do the most. If you're having trouble deciding, put the names of the activities you want in a hat, and pull them out. If you have a gut feeling that you wanted to do something else, put it to the side and pull something else.

Don't forget about your homework! If you know you can't juggle everything, think about dropping something. It may be hard, but assure yourself it's for the better. Once, I tried to balance lacrosse, Art Club, writing, Academics Team, and Student Council! I got behind in my schoolwork, and basically everything else because I had no time to get anything done. You'll feel stress and pressure and trust me, it sucks. You do NOT want to get that.

Also, leave time for family and friends. Don't keep them out--you'll regret it when you have no friends to help you, and you feel distant from your own family.

Organize: This is a HUGE part of life. Organize often, so you don't get too messy and lose everything! An organized locker means an organized mind. If you find yourself having a messy locker, show up early to school to straighten it out. The school should let you in early. if you can't, arrange your parent/guardian or a friend to pick you up from school a little later, and stay after to organize.

Homework is also important. One thing I learned: ALWAYS USE YOUR AGENDA. It may seem pointless and boring, but it keeps you on track. When you're finished with an assignment, simply cross it out with one line in a pen or something thin. Make sure you can read what it says. Also, if you are forgetful like me, make a line next to it saying where you put it. When everything is crossed out, move onto whatever you are doing next!

Oh, and make sure you have A LOT of Post-its. During class, not during the lesson of course, write what you need to remember on the Post-it and put it on your locker. Look at what you need to do whenever you are at your locker. It makes good decorating, too! I put mine in a pattern, so it caught the eye of the passerby. I got many compliments on it.

Socialize: This may seem unimportant to the more shy or introverted people, but part of school is to learn how to interact with other people! Just find people that look cool to you, and walk up and just say hi. if they are mean to you, just stay nice to them. (But make sure to stand up for yourself-- don't be a push-over). Be nice to everyone. I gurantee, if you aren't very "pretty" or "athletic" or whatever, just be nice. You'll be one of the most popular people in school.

Make sure to attend games, dances, or whatever. Get a social account, so as to keep up with the cool cats. Don't be a loner. It makes middle school miserable. Cheer for your team, dance with your friends, or just hang out with new people. You'll find it sorta fun after a while, as long as your with true friends.

Don't be that one person that is friends with everyone, but with no one. Choose people you think are truly good (you can never know for sure, but you have to take a leap of faith sometime). Hang out with them. Become best friends with them. Share memories, have sleepovers, add people to your group of friends. Just be positive, and tell people the truth, and you'll soar (socially). But make sure not to get too caught up in social life-- make sure you get your chores and homework done first!

I hope that helped you! If you have any subjects/ questions, put them below on comments, and I'll answer them as soon as I can!