Are you wondering if middle school is hard? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. As a recent college graduate, I have a unique perspective on how hard middle school really is.
Making the step up from elementary school to middle school is a big change for many students. Identifying why middle school is hard and finding out what you can do about it, is the best way to be successful in middle school.
With that being said, here are 5 reasons why middle school is hard and 6 ways to be successful in middle school.
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5 Reasons Why Middle School is Hard
1. New Environment
Something that many middle schoolers will struggle with is adapting to the new environment. Going to a new school is a big change as you will have new teachers, classmates and you’ll have to find your way around school.
Many middle schools will start early in the morning so getting used to waking up early to travel to school makes middle school harder. Adapting to the new environment can take some time, however after a few months you will be okay.
If you’re having trouble adjusting to middle school, don’t worry it will get better. Once you find a routine that works for you, middle school will fly by.
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2. Harder School Work
The school work in middle school is a big step up from primary school. A lot of kids in middle school get caught off guard when the homework assignments start to pile up.
Having multiple tests, projects and assignments to do at the same time can be very stressful.
Many teachers in middle school say they are preparing you for high school classes by giving a lot of assignments and tests.
Perhaps this isn’t a bad thing…
When you get to high school, you’ll likely find that it isn’t much harder than middle school, especially if your middle school teacher expected a lot out of you.
3. Friend Drama
Throughout your middle school years, you will experience quite a bit of friend drama. The reality of the situation is that a lot of kids in middle school are immature, and they may do some stupid things.
Something many students struggle with in middle school, is trying to fit in.
This is really normal as you’re growing older, learning and changing. Remember to be yourself and don’t try to act like someone you are not.
If you have friends who you can trust and who treat you well, then keep them close to you. If you have a friend who does things behind your back and is fake then they are not really your friend.
4. Bad Teachers
In middle school, different teachers have different teaching styles. Throughout your time there, you will encounter a few teachers who you do not get along with.
Sometimes, middle school teachers can be overly strict, have no control over the class or might just be boring. Having a bad teacher will make you dread going to class. Unfortunately, you’ll be in for a very long and boring year.
When I was in the eight grade, I had a really old math teacher who was super strict. He would call on every student during class, would not let us get water or go to the bathroom, and he would always give out detentions!
I remember hating his class and being so happy when the school year was done. At some point throughout your middle school life, you will have a bad teacher.
5. Bullies
Unfortunately, something many middle school kids have to deal with is bullies. In middle school, there are some older kids who will sometimes pick on younger kids.
Being bullied is something no student should have to deal with. If you’re being bullied or you know somebody being bullied it’s important to get help.
I recommend starting by telling your parents so they could help you out. You also have teachers, a guidance counsellor or the principal.
It’s important to tell someone and not ignore the problem of bullying. In my experience, it often gets worse and can have a huge negative impact on the person being bullied.
6 Keys to Success in Middle School
1. Don’t Stress Over the Small Stuff
If you want to be successful in middle school, don’t stress over the small stuff. We’ve all gotten bad test scores, forgotten our homework or had a bad day at school.
Your middle school grades aren’t going to be the difference between you getting in, or not getting into your dream college. Just do your best in school and know that with time and effort, things will improve.
What’s important is that you build the right habits in middle school, so you’ll be prepared for high school and college.
2. Ask Your Teachers for Help
As much as you will have bad teachers in middle school, you will also have good teachers. If you’re having a difficult time in middle school, don’t be afraid to ask for extra help from a teacher.
Getting along with your teachers in middle school, is a lot better than having your teachers hate you. It’s important to have a teacher who has your back and that you can talk to.
Another great resource in middle school is the school counselor. Whether you’re having an issue in school or you need advice, it’s good to talk to the school couselor.
Take advantage of the resources that are offered to you in middle school. You’ll be happy that you did once you get to high school!
Related: Top 10 Ways to Get Your Teacher to Like You in High School
3. Be Organized
Being organized is a super important thing that every student should start in middle school. Writing down important dates in an agenda, showing up to class with your materials and doing your homework on time are good habits. These good habits will come in handy once you reach your high school years.
The earlier you build the proper habits for success in school, the better. It took me a little longer to become organized, however once I did, school became a lot easier.
When you’re in elementary school, being organized isn’t very important. However, once you reach middle school you will have multiple assignments, projects and tests, so you’ll have to manage your time.
Get in the habit of writing everything in your agenda, so you’re always prepared for tests and you never forget to do your homework.
Related: 15 Backpack Essentials for High School – Ultimate Guide
4. Surround Yourself with the Right People
As much as school sucks some days, middle school can still be a good time. A great way to have fun in middle school is to surround yourself with the right people.
Having a good friend who has your back will make things a lot better. It’s important to have friends who care about school and want to do well.
If you surround yourself with students who skip class and do other “bad things”, you could become a victim of peer pressure. If the people you hang around with don’t care about school, don’t be surprised if you find yourself not caring too.
If you have a good friend group, where everyone cares about doing well in school, you are bound to be successful in middle school. Just make smart choices and try to surround yourself with some good friends.
5. Attend Class
Something older middle school students will sometimes do is to skip class. Skipping class is a terrible habit and something you should never do, especially in middle school.
In middle school, students may skip physical education class because it’s “not important”. However, there is literally no good excuse for skipping class.
It’s better to attend every class, even if they are boring. If you get in the habit of skipping, don’t be surprised when you start getting bad grades.
6. Avoid Procrastinating
As a procrastinator myself, I urge you to do your best to avoid procrastinating when you’re in school. It’s best do do your assignments right away, so you can relax later on.
Whether it’s playing video games, scrolling on social media or going on your phone, there are so many distractions.
If you find yourself procrastinating, a good trick is to time block. Make a schedule of when you’re going to study, work on assignments and do homework and stick to it.
If you’re disciplined, you won’t find yourself procrastinating and you’ll have more time to do things that you enjoy.
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Final Thoughts on Is Middle School Hard?
Going into middle school can be stressful and a big change. It’s important to understand why it’s hard and what you can do about it. Knowing what to expect before getting to middle school will make your life a lot easier once you get there.
In this post, I shared 5 reasons why middle school is hard and 6 keys to success in middle school.
Are you nervous for middle school? Please let me know in the comments below.