How to Survive Middle School: Tips from 8th Graders

Hey 6th graders, if you want to know how to survive the crazy life at Thomas R. Pollicita Middle School, then take a look at these tips from some experienced 8th graders. There will be many problems that you will face but that’s ok, because everybody at school faces all sorts of problems and there may be someone who has experienced what you are going through.

• Middle school is nothing compared to elementary school, it has a different atmosphere and rules. Here, the teachers expect you to be more mature and responsible. For example, you are expected to get to all of your classes within three minutes or your teacher will lock the door on you and give you detention.
• Get to know your teachers. To get a good start on the school year, your teachers are always the way to go. The more you know your teachers and the more they know you, the more they will push you and help you do well in school.
• Be active! If you want your face to be all over the yearbook, you need to get involved in activities like Dance Team, Lunch Team, After School Program, and Student Government. The more activities you do, the more fun school will be. (Hint: If you do get active, you might get Student of the Month and then you get to go on the Spirit Trip for FREE!!!)
• Spirit Days or LTA’s (Lunch Time Activities) are good ways to get Spirit Points. Spirit Points are school dollars that you can use to go on the Spirit Trip. If you get 1,000 Spirit Points you go on the Spirit Trip which is to........Six Flags!!!
• School dances are not like the types you see on TV where they slow dance and stuff like that. The dances at the school can get kind of wild. Some people dance crazy and out of control. Don’t try to dance like a robot or do any weird dances or everybody will look at you and think you are weird. You don’t need to have a date to go to the dance. It really doesn’t matter if you're going alone, just have fun. (Hint: Bring at least $10 to spend on food.)
• Don’t litter around the school. If you get caught, then you will have to clean up the trash around the entire school.
• Don’t talk back to any teachers or staff at school or they will give you work to do or give you detention. 

Listen, things might be rough at times but they will pass soon like an old rumor. Everything will be worth it at the end and you will have more fun at this school then having bad things happen. Follow the advice we just gave and you will make it out alive!

~A, B, J & M