By Daisy Wong
The trip between middle and high school can be daunting for students. Many of these fears may stem from the new environment, the structure of education, stress, etc. This distress is quite common and can be found in all eighth graders. Thankfully, using the following tips, we can address the anxiety head on.
1. Explore extracurriculars over the summer
Discover your passions and branch out to get better. By participating in extracurriculars, CollegeBoard explains that when you start applying to colleges, these activities show them who you are. Personal student spotlights reveal that by exploring extracurriculars, students learned new possibilities and discovered lifelong passions that shaped them to the person they are today.
2. Encourage relations with the experienced, such as teachers and older high schoolers
The thought of entering high school is only daunting because we feel like we don’t know what to expect, making it easier to get tangled up in myths. Luckily Amy Guertin, a licensed counselor, explains that more experienced people can give support and advice on what may come, easing fears to the uncertain.
3. Consider or start establishing routines
High school’s structure is different from middle school in its structure. While there is more homework and tests, there is also more time to be flexible. Finding the right balance between school and extracurriculars as well as leisure activities can be critical to mental health. To combat stress overload, it can be easier to establish routines ahead of time, so that when you make the jump, you already know what you’re doing. The Hyde School finds your routines can be flexible as long as you have your classes and homework time figured out, you can change other things along the way. You can add or subtract the activities or even change the focus to work on socialization.
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These practices can be best used over the summer after eighth grade, as it’s the height of the transition. Remember that it’s going to take time and the transition won’t be entirely easy for everyone. Don’t get frustrated or upset when this happens because keep in mind that things will get better, when you ease into these routines. Transitions are big, but you’re not alone. You have all your classmates around you. Welcome to high school!
References:
teens.lovetoknow.com/teens-school/tips-transition-high-school
www.hyde.edu/blog/hyde_school_blog/tips-for-transitioning-from-middle-to-high-school/
