How to Survive Middle School (for Girls)

Before School Starts

Go to the school's orientation day, if possible. Often, you will receive a schedule before school starts. Don’t be worried about the first day of school. The teachers will most likely be more gentle and less strict than the rest of the year. If you can never find your way to class, take a map. Some schools provide these at the orientation. You can also ask at the front office and they will be happy to help you.

Buy your gym outfit, if needed. Your school may require that you have a specific kit for the activities undertaken. Check with your school if you’re not sure.

Make a good impression when you meet your teachers for the first time. Know where your classes are. Try to find what floor, class, hallway, or side of the school your classes are in.

Avoid worrying if you get a strict teacher. If that is what happens, then calm down. Just make sure you do not get on the teacher's bad side. If you do well in their class they will most likely like you!

Go through a checklist the day before school starts: Is everything in your backpack? (Books, Folders, Pencils, etc) Do you have your schedule? Gym clothes? Is your back-to-school outfit on your dresser, hanging on closet/door?

Learn your locker combination. Know if your combination is 21, 17, 23 or 23, 17, 21. Try making a math equation, such as 23-21=17. If you always forget your locker combo, try this trick. On the inside cover of a notebook, write your locker combo like a math problem. Example: 24+16=42. So then your locker combo is 24,16,42; even though the equation was wrong. Plus, nobody knows that it is your combo. Keep your locker organized. It will be easier to find the things that you need. Don't worry if you forget your locker combination. Someone in the office can help you.

Use reusable materials, when possible. If you are bringing lunch, use a lunch box instead of a brown paper bag, just so you don't waste.

Get a binder with a strap or a drawstring bag. Many schools don't allow kids to carry their backpacks because it takes up a lot of room. And besides, a heavy backpack can be bad for you, so it's best to avoid them. Take an emergency kit with you either in your locker or your bag. You might need it. Keep a schedule with you. It will keep you organized for the day, or you could make your own. Tell yourself what you are going to do for the day.

On The First Day Back

Eat a healthy breakfast. Something as simple as being well-nourished in the mornings can make a big difference in your happiness and overall success in school.

Tackle your first day. There are lots of things you can do to make the first day an easier one.

Try your best to get to your classes on time. If you're late for one or two classes on the first day, it's understandable. Don't stop and chat unless you're completely sure you can get to class on time. Get your books and head to class. Stop at your locker for a minute if you need to. Depending on your school depends on the time you have between classes. So don't stay in the hall for too long, or else you might get in trouble. Get a pass from your teacher to stop by your locker. This way, you can get your stuff and not be in trouble for being late. Find shortcuts to get to class. Maybe if you go through the middle staircase, you can get to the second period quicker! Don't stop and talk! This is no excuse to be late. Don't let slow people make you late for class. If people are being slow, say, "Excuse me." Don't push or hurt them.

Be open to making new friends. Be kind, friendly, and patient. Many people want to be your friend based on who you are, not what you look like.

Surviving The Year

Stay on your teachers' good sides. Don't get your teacher angry. Some teachers mean what they say, and play no games.

Be alert. Taking your time, talking, or being unprepared can give you supervisions. Supervisions are detentions! You don't want detention on your first year.

Make sure not to procrastinate. Leaving your work for afterwards leads to stress and poor grades, so it's a better idea to start your homework 30 minutes or so after you get home. Avoid being around distractions like TV, your computer, or your cell phone while you're doing homework. Feel free to take short breaks while you're working, but be diligent about getting back to work once the break is over. It is always a good idea to do extra credit work and even if the teacher didn’t ask for any. Some schools provide student planners or agendas. Make use of this and write down homework, important dates, to-do lists, and anything else you need to remember. They will help you to be prepared.

Read before bed. While it's tempting to spend time on the computer before bed, you will sleep less if you do this. Instead, find a good book and wind down by reading.

Keep a good relationship with your family. Give your parents details about your day when they ask (or even if they don't!). Help out around the house—offer to do dishes, set the table, or take your dog for a walk. The good behavior will pay off when you ask to do things with friends. Tell your parents how your day went. Was it good? Okay? Perfect? Terrible? A Nightmare? Talk to your parents. They will listen. Get into the habit of this every day; it's a great way to stay connected and not have them pry it out of you. If you have an older sibling try to ask them about middle school (it's even better if you're going to the same school as them).

Avoid getting caught up in silly drama. Remember that the number of times that you date someone or the amount of makeup you wear won't make you popular (try avoiding dating at this age), and more importantly, it won't help you do well in school. And try not to cause drama either. It will make you look like a bad friend. Avoid gossip as well. Nobody likes to be friends with the girl who's in everyone's business, and in every conversation. And not in a good way. Don't get into other people's business. It's not your business! Don't get frustrated too quickly. Try to keep cool and keep your anger in check. Don't focus on dating . Focus on your grades and classes. This will help you in the long run, more specifically high school, college, and beyond, as you will have a clear view of your academic goals as a priority.

Find friends who are your equals. If you constantly feel as though you're your friend's shadow or vice versa, work to even the playing field or find a new group of friends.Try to keep a small group of best friends, maybe 2-4 will be good! Have more friends than just your best friend, just in case something happens between you guys. Always be open to new friends.

Remember to schedule "me" time. Take a little time each day to relax by yourself. Get to know yourself—middle school is a time when everyone is changing, and you're more likely to love those changes if you are working to know yourself. Don't change yourself for someone else or because they're not satisfied with who you are. Be yourself and not a second class version of someone else.

Stay true to yourself. Some people are going to try to get you to change for their needs. Don't forget, that your true friends will accept you for who you are and vice versa. So don't try to change for other people, because if you mess up and get people mad at you, it may affect the rest of your middle school year.

Aim to be fulfilled by what you're learning. Most of all, learn to appreciate living in the present while being focused on your future. This is a skill worth cultivating.

Maintaining Hygiene

Start showering every day. You don't have to wash your hair that often, but washing your body will help mitigate acne and body odor. "Clean and Clear In-Shower Facial" is a great product to use to wash your face.

Apply makeup if you're allowed. Don't overdo it—you want your makeup to look natural. All you need is some mascara, maybe some natural color eyeshadow, and blush. It will look beautiful and natural. But don't forget to wash it all off before bedtime because makeup can create pimples and zits from getting into your pores. If you want to wear perfume, that's a good choice, but don't spray too much that it looks like you're trying to get noticed! Feel free to skip makeup altogether if you like. Do it only if you feel like it.

Brush your teeth twice a day. This sounds like a no-brainer, but bad breath can hinder any semblance of social life.