Dear 7th graders,
Middle school is a time of trial and error where you're stuck in the weird “in-between”. As fellow 8th graders, we’d like to give you advice on some things you should prepare for next year. Whether academic or athletic, you will find yourself facing new responsibilities and pressures that can often bring you down. Here are some last sentiments from 8th graders they’d like to give to you.
Organization is key: Whether it’s writing your tests and quizzes down or bringing all your homework to class, having a good organizational system helps you stay on track with all your assignments and projects. In 8th grade, you will also have a minimum of 3 different binders, so by being neat you can help yourself prepare for each class. Some ways to do this include:
- Writing down your homework assignments in a planner (paper/digital)
- Having a calendar you can refer to for quizzes/tests
- Memorizing your classes and schedule for the week
- Having different binders and notebooks for specific classes
Study methods: Start making plans or begin studying earlier for larger quizzes and assessments. Using different strategies like online or physical tools can help you learn what is more effective and establish a general studying routine for you. Some good skills include:
- Using online tools like Quizlet and Knowt where you can choose different modes to study from
- Using physical tools like flashcards and quizzing yourself with a partner
- Taking small 5-minute breaks between 20–30 minutes of studying
- Listening to background music can help you focus and tune out noise
Try new things: In 8th grade, you get to choose your arts for both semesters, and there is a wide variety of choices for classes and sports. Try out something you haven’t done before! Middle school is one of the few times when you can experiment with different courses before you delve deeper into them during high school. There are also a lot of options for sports, so selecting something you haven't before is a great way to find a sport you might like. Using clubs also helps you to explore your interests and see if you are passionate about something. Here are some ways to help:
- If you’re afraid of being alone when trying a club/sport/art alone, bring a friend so that you can learn and experience it together
- Wait at least two weeks before switching to something else. You might find that you will like a club/sport/art as time goes on
- Remember that this may be your last chance to experiment between different classes and sports, so try to go for things that you are interested in and willing to give a shot for
Time management: Managing all of your homework is a key part of being an 8th grader. As you grow older, the workload you receive is bigger, so it tends to take more time. Prioritizing different classes and managing your time is key to helping you finish homework faster. Some ways to do this include:
- Prioritize your classes based on what you have the next day
- Get the big assignments done first. That way, if you don’t finish all of your homework in one day, you can finish the remaining small assignments in the car or during E-block.
- Take 5-minute breaks if you need them. It’s better to do your assignments when you are fully focused
- Make use of E-block to meet with teachers or work on homework, it is a great tool and can help you save time for when you have a lot of homework
Have Fun! Use 8th grade as a time to make new friends and learn from mistakes!
8th grade may seem like a daunting challenge on your horizon. But, as long as you try your best and give it all your effort, you can thrive comfortably and know that you will be prepared for high school. I hope that this letter will help you next year, and that you feel the same about the advice I’ve given you! Thank you for reading this letter!
Sincerely (on behalf of the 8th grade),
Alice Chung + Bennett Dodge