Life Advice
Sometimes, we get by with a little help from our friends.
Sometimes, we get by because of ourselves. |
Introvert Survival Guide
by Gabrielle Alli, Grade 6
EXTROVERTS BE GONE! THIS IS CONFIDENTIAL INTROVERT INFORMATION!
As an introvert, one of the most terrifying things is being faced with people. Being faced with “people situations” is inevitable and unavoidable, no matter how many precautions are taken. Although a few strategies are still used to this day to avoid people, more importantly, extroverts.
Method 1: Books. This is the method in which we, the introverts, will take a kind of reading material and shove our faces into it. This conveys the idea that we are busy, and most likely wards off any persons hoping for social interaction. Previous attempts have shown faults in this method, as extroverts are very skilled in conversation techniques. When faced with the question, “What are you reading?” or a conversation starter such as “I read that book, it was so good”, we can flee to the following method.
Method 2: Verbal Excuses. This takes the ability to talk, which is weakened in introverts at the simple sight of another human. Some examples can include the following, which includes many awkward topics:
Method 3: Headphones. This method is one of most effective and most simple. An introvert must shove their earbuds into their ears. I suggest that you put on a favorite podcast or tune of yours while doing whatever one wishes. When extroverts approach, they are weakened by their own politeness and choose not to disturb you. If an extrovert cannot see your headphones, simply itch your ear or pull your hair back if it is long. This accentuates the idea of “GET OFF MY BACK, I DON’T CARE FOR CIVILIZATION!” And lastly, every time an extrovert or pestly fellow introvert calls out one’s name, turn up the volume a little more.
When a social situation is inevitable, such as a party you were forced to go to or a school event that “everyone was going to be at,” you need more help than the methods above. The following includes escape plans along with ways and means of social assistance.
There are quite a few modes of escape, but we can only talk of a few, which leads me to
Method 4: Bathroom Escape Call, a personal favorite. Simply excuse yourself to the bathroom, and then take your phone and dial your parents and/or equivalent guardian. Beg them to pick you up at any ways and means. You can say the following:
Method 5: The Front Door. Say you are going for a walk, or that you need to tend to something outside. When they ask what that “something” is, say that it’s important, that you’ll be right back, and sprint out the door at Godspeed. While you are running as if your life depends on it, either head towards your house or call your guardian once more. Their assistance is vital in this process, especially if you live far from the location you’re supposed to be socializing in.
Method 6: Sickness. While eating the free food provided at the house you are at, and entertaining yourself in the corner, hide some food. You’ll need this for later, as free food is the best food. Now, while pulling off this “Sickness” plan, you’ll need to excuse yourself to the nearest place where you can be alone; the bathroom. Throw some hot water on your face, and then make retching noises. Come out of the bathroom looking exasperated, and say that you’re sick. The hot water can resemble sweat and play in your favor. Extroverts will ask you if you need to go home, and you will respond yes. Your guardian will be called. You can either explain to them the predicament or simply pretend to be sick for the rest of the afternoon. This is the riskiest of all methods, so use with caution.
Our Final Method, #7: The Last Straw. Lastly, we have the Last Straw. This is what you resort to when all else fails. If you have come to a party, obviously your friends had forced you. This means that your friends are either extroverts or ambiverts, the perfect mix. In this predicament, we seek for “social assistance.” Hide behind your friends, and tell them that you’ll only talk to those they’ll talk to. When involved in this group conversation, you may not even have to talk. Your friends and the person they are conversing with may cover all interaction for you. If the topic is passed to you, then respond in as little words as possible. This is commonly achieved by agreeing with whatever everyone else says. In doing this method, you can say you were social without doing much at all.
But a big issue may arise from this. You, *gasp,* will want to talk to someone. Someone that looks interesting… and fun. You feel as if approaching them will be one of the most adventurous things you’ve done in a while. Still, it’s scary. You never liked talking to anyone much. And bringing your friends over might be a bit weird. Like, “Hi. This is me and I needed to bring my group of friends in order to talk to you like a normal person.” This is when you ask your friends to encourage you, and to save you if they see it getting awkward. They promise that they’ll come in, introduce themselves, and save the day. And you wait. Wait until you’re ready. But then your friends push you and you have to say hi. You say hi. And you realize that talking may not end so badly.
EXTROVERTS BE GONE! THIS IS CONFIDENTIAL INTROVERT INFORMATION!
As an introvert, one of the most terrifying things is being faced with people. Being faced with “people situations” is inevitable and unavoidable, no matter how many precautions are taken. Although a few strategies are still used to this day to avoid people, more importantly, extroverts.
Method 1: Books. This is the method in which we, the introverts, will take a kind of reading material and shove our faces into it. This conveys the idea that we are busy, and most likely wards off any persons hoping for social interaction. Previous attempts have shown faults in this method, as extroverts are very skilled in conversation techniques. When faced with the question, “What are you reading?” or a conversation starter such as “I read that book, it was so good”, we can flee to the following method.
Method 2: Verbal Excuses. This takes the ability to talk, which is weakened in introverts at the simple sight of another human. Some examples can include the following, which includes many awkward topics:
- “I need to use the bathroom. Like, right now.”
- “I’m doing homework for a class. A class of… book-readers.”
- “I was just leaving to go eat. Um, you shouldn’t come because the food is disgusting. Bye!”
- “Oh, I can’t hang out this afternoon. I have to wash my dog. Right, I do not have a dog, but I am getting one. A German… doodle… retriever… pug!”
Method 3: Headphones. This method is one of most effective and most simple. An introvert must shove their earbuds into their ears. I suggest that you put on a favorite podcast or tune of yours while doing whatever one wishes. When extroverts approach, they are weakened by their own politeness and choose not to disturb you. If an extrovert cannot see your headphones, simply itch your ear or pull your hair back if it is long. This accentuates the idea of “GET OFF MY BACK, I DON’T CARE FOR CIVILIZATION!” And lastly, every time an extrovert or pestly fellow introvert calls out one’s name, turn up the volume a little more.
When a social situation is inevitable, such as a party you were forced to go to or a school event that “everyone was going to be at,” you need more help than the methods above. The following includes escape plans along with ways and means of social assistance.
There are quite a few modes of escape, but we can only talk of a few, which leads me to
Method 4: Bathroom Escape Call, a personal favorite. Simply excuse yourself to the bathroom, and then take your phone and dial your parents and/or equivalent guardian. Beg them to pick you up at any ways and means. You can say the following:
- “I’ll do all my chores for at least the next week! I’ll clean the dishes! I WILL RUB GRANDMA’S FEET!”
- “I can pay you. What do you want, $10? $25? I’LL BE BROKE IF I GIVE YOU ANY MORE THAN $50, MOTHER!”
- “Pick me up. Pick me up. Pick me up right now. I’ll never be social. Pick me up. Please. Pick me up. I’m never hanging up. I will call you back. Pick me up.”
Method 5: The Front Door. Say you are going for a walk, or that you need to tend to something outside. When they ask what that “something” is, say that it’s important, that you’ll be right back, and sprint out the door at Godspeed. While you are running as if your life depends on it, either head towards your house or call your guardian once more. Their assistance is vital in this process, especially if you live far from the location you’re supposed to be socializing in.
Method 6: Sickness. While eating the free food provided at the house you are at, and entertaining yourself in the corner, hide some food. You’ll need this for later, as free food is the best food. Now, while pulling off this “Sickness” plan, you’ll need to excuse yourself to the nearest place where you can be alone; the bathroom. Throw some hot water on your face, and then make retching noises. Come out of the bathroom looking exasperated, and say that you’re sick. The hot water can resemble sweat and play in your favor. Extroverts will ask you if you need to go home, and you will respond yes. Your guardian will be called. You can either explain to them the predicament or simply pretend to be sick for the rest of the afternoon. This is the riskiest of all methods, so use with caution.
Our Final Method, #7: The Last Straw. Lastly, we have the Last Straw. This is what you resort to when all else fails. If you have come to a party, obviously your friends had forced you. This means that your friends are either extroverts or ambiverts, the perfect mix. In this predicament, we seek for “social assistance.” Hide behind your friends, and tell them that you’ll only talk to those they’ll talk to. When involved in this group conversation, you may not even have to talk. Your friends and the person they are conversing with may cover all interaction for you. If the topic is passed to you, then respond in as little words as possible. This is commonly achieved by agreeing with whatever everyone else says. In doing this method, you can say you were social without doing much at all.
But a big issue may arise from this. You, *gasp,* will want to talk to someone. Someone that looks interesting… and fun. You feel as if approaching them will be one of the most adventurous things you’ve done in a while. Still, it’s scary. You never liked talking to anyone much. And bringing your friends over might be a bit weird. Like, “Hi. This is me and I needed to bring my group of friends in order to talk to you like a normal person.” This is when you ask your friends to encourage you, and to save you if they see it getting awkward. They promise that they’ll come in, introduce themselves, and save the day. And you wait. Wait until you’re ready. But then your friends push you and you have to say hi. You say hi. And you realize that talking may not end so badly.
How to Survive Middle School
by Fatima Konate, Grade 8
Have you ever wondered how to make it through your early teen years? Below are useful tips for surviving middle school:
These are some ways to make going or being in middle school easier than you may have thought. Below is your survival guide to making it through and loving your three years at MAMS.
Tip 1: Choose your friends wisely. There is definitely going to be a lot of drama throughout these years, and you are going to need someone or some people you trust to be there for you, so choosing your friends wisely is necessary so you know that there’s someone to have your back. We all have best friends, and friends. The difference: the best friends are usually the ones we count on, and friends are kind of acquaintances. Choose your best friends and friends in a way that makes you feel comfortable and happy, so that the drama doesn’t catch up with you.
Tip 2: Join clubs or sports. In school, sports and clubs are some of best ways to make friends and meet new people (see Tip 1). So, if you love to play sports, or draw, or participate in other activities, you can do this at school, with your friends! You can learn how to manage competitiveness while having fun at the same time, and you’ll be involved in the school community outside of class. You’ll feel involved. Plus, it’s better than going home and watching Netflix or becoming a couch potato!
Tip 3: Be nice. Being nice to people is a good thing...a very good thing. Sometimes if people are having a bad day, someone nice can really help them or make their day that much better. If you see someone drop their books, help the person out. If you see someone looking unhappy, just ask how they’re doing, even if they say not well. They’ll know you care. Being nice is easier than being mean, anyway.
Tip 4: Be yourself. Do you know who the best person ever is? You! Being yourself means exactly how it sounds. Don’t be afraid to do what you want to do. Don’t change so that people like you, or because you want to ‘fit in.’ You won’t feel good if you’re not yourself, and liking yourself is more important than getting other people to like you, because you’re stuck with yourself forever! Middle school years give you a chance to discover who you are, so be you, and love who you are.
Tip 5: Organize your locker. This rule sounds random, but I can’t tell you how many times I had a locker jam, and each time, it was terrible. Locker jams happen everyday to at least one person, and you don’t want that person to be you. It makes you upset, changes your mood, and sometimes makes you late for class. Therefore, organize your locker so you don’t have to wait there for what feels like forever for someone to come unjam it!
Tip 6: Ask for help. If you’re confused in class, ask for help. If you want to know how you’re doing in class, ask. If you need help in the halls, ask for help. It’s more important to ask questions than to feel confused all of the time. It’s more important to learn from your questions than to constantly be curious without seeking input. Nobody is too cool for school. That’s why we’re all here!
Tip 7: Avoid drama and gossip. As mentioned in tip one, drama is inevitable. Staying out of drama, though, is the best thing for you so that you always can be the best version of yourself. When you avoid gossip and drama, you can focus on your clubs, sports, and classes. You’ll feel better in the long run.
Tip 8: Be realistic about romantic relationships. I know everyone wants to be in a romantic relationship with others, but here's the thing. Dating other people in middle is tough. Everyone wants to know your business, and everyone “cares.” Dating in middle school is not easy, especially because of social media. Sometimes, relationships only last two weeks or a couple of days because everyone moves on so fast! Only, like, 5% of kids seriously date. It’s not a good feeling to have your heart broken, so just make sure that you find someone who is serious. Choose wisely!
Tip 9: Be prepared for cold or warm weather for gym. Again, another seemingly random tip. Gym class is fun and all, but not when you’re outside in the freezing weather wearing shorts and short sleeves for 72 minutes. You get gym lockers in middle school. Use them, and put winter and summer/warm weather clothes in there incase it’s cold outside or hot. Mother nature can be feisty. Trust me, being prepared for gym is a lifesaver.
Tip 10: Bring a sweatshirt or extra clothes to school. The school classroom temperatures can be temperamental too! Dress in layers because sometimes some classrooms are very cold, while others are very warm. You want to feel comfortable while you learn, so bring extra clothes just in case you need them. Plus, if someone spills their nachos or ketchup on you during lunch by accident, you want to have a backup plan.
Tip 11: Learn how to solve problems. In middle school, you may face a round of problems with other people or with yourself. It’s good to learn how to solve them yourself. This is a good life skill, because problems pop up everywhere. If you take care of them instead of running away from them, you’re setting yourself up for success.
Tip 12: Have fun. Yes, you can have fun in your middle school years, and you can have a life outside of school. In middle school, we have a lot of work that needs to be done, and we may feel like we don’t have time to it because we're so busy. Once in a while, though, you should put down the book and go outside or hangout with friends. You can have a life, and you can have friends; you don’t need to push them away because you have a big test and you have practice after school or a club. You deserve to have fun! Manage your time wisely.
Tip 13: Don’t care too much about what people think of you. This is my favorite rule. I can’t tell you how many times I hear people stress over what people think of them. We shouldn’t care what people are saying about us, because at the end of the day, we have ourselves, our family, and our friends. Love yourself for who you are, and be happy with you, regardless of what anyone says. If you remember this, you’ll love your years at MAMS.
Remember these tips as you travel from sixth to eighth grade. You can survive middle school if you keep these tips in mind. They’re always here to help!
Have you ever wondered how to make it through your early teen years? Below are useful tips for surviving middle school:
- Choose your friends wisely
- Join clubs or sports after school
- Be nice to people
- Be yourself
- Organize your locker
- Ask for help
- Avoid drama and gossip
- Be realistic about romantic relationships
- Be prepared for cold or warm weather for gym
- Bring a sweatshirt or extra clothes to school
- Learn how to solve problems
- Have fun
- Don’t care to much of what people think of you
These are some ways to make going or being in middle school easier than you may have thought. Below is your survival guide to making it through and loving your three years at MAMS.
Tip 1: Choose your friends wisely. There is definitely going to be a lot of drama throughout these years, and you are going to need someone or some people you trust to be there for you, so choosing your friends wisely is necessary so you know that there’s someone to have your back. We all have best friends, and friends. The difference: the best friends are usually the ones we count on, and friends are kind of acquaintances. Choose your best friends and friends in a way that makes you feel comfortable and happy, so that the drama doesn’t catch up with you.
Tip 2: Join clubs or sports. In school, sports and clubs are some of best ways to make friends and meet new people (see Tip 1). So, if you love to play sports, or draw, or participate in other activities, you can do this at school, with your friends! You can learn how to manage competitiveness while having fun at the same time, and you’ll be involved in the school community outside of class. You’ll feel involved. Plus, it’s better than going home and watching Netflix or becoming a couch potato!
Tip 3: Be nice. Being nice to people is a good thing...a very good thing. Sometimes if people are having a bad day, someone nice can really help them or make their day that much better. If you see someone drop their books, help the person out. If you see someone looking unhappy, just ask how they’re doing, even if they say not well. They’ll know you care. Being nice is easier than being mean, anyway.
Tip 4: Be yourself. Do you know who the best person ever is? You! Being yourself means exactly how it sounds. Don’t be afraid to do what you want to do. Don’t change so that people like you, or because you want to ‘fit in.’ You won’t feel good if you’re not yourself, and liking yourself is more important than getting other people to like you, because you’re stuck with yourself forever! Middle school years give you a chance to discover who you are, so be you, and love who you are.
Tip 5: Organize your locker. This rule sounds random, but I can’t tell you how many times I had a locker jam, and each time, it was terrible. Locker jams happen everyday to at least one person, and you don’t want that person to be you. It makes you upset, changes your mood, and sometimes makes you late for class. Therefore, organize your locker so you don’t have to wait there for what feels like forever for someone to come unjam it!
Tip 6: Ask for help. If you’re confused in class, ask for help. If you want to know how you’re doing in class, ask. If you need help in the halls, ask for help. It’s more important to ask questions than to feel confused all of the time. It’s more important to learn from your questions than to constantly be curious without seeking input. Nobody is too cool for school. That’s why we’re all here!
Tip 7: Avoid drama and gossip. As mentioned in tip one, drama is inevitable. Staying out of drama, though, is the best thing for you so that you always can be the best version of yourself. When you avoid gossip and drama, you can focus on your clubs, sports, and classes. You’ll feel better in the long run.
Tip 8: Be realistic about romantic relationships. I know everyone wants to be in a romantic relationship with others, but here's the thing. Dating other people in middle is tough. Everyone wants to know your business, and everyone “cares.” Dating in middle school is not easy, especially because of social media. Sometimes, relationships only last two weeks or a couple of days because everyone moves on so fast! Only, like, 5% of kids seriously date. It’s not a good feeling to have your heart broken, so just make sure that you find someone who is serious. Choose wisely!
Tip 9: Be prepared for cold or warm weather for gym. Again, another seemingly random tip. Gym class is fun and all, but not when you’re outside in the freezing weather wearing shorts and short sleeves for 72 minutes. You get gym lockers in middle school. Use them, and put winter and summer/warm weather clothes in there incase it’s cold outside or hot. Mother nature can be feisty. Trust me, being prepared for gym is a lifesaver.
Tip 10: Bring a sweatshirt or extra clothes to school. The school classroom temperatures can be temperamental too! Dress in layers because sometimes some classrooms are very cold, while others are very warm. You want to feel comfortable while you learn, so bring extra clothes just in case you need them. Plus, if someone spills their nachos or ketchup on you during lunch by accident, you want to have a backup plan.
Tip 11: Learn how to solve problems. In middle school, you may face a round of problems with other people or with yourself. It’s good to learn how to solve them yourself. This is a good life skill, because problems pop up everywhere. If you take care of them instead of running away from them, you’re setting yourself up for success.
Tip 12: Have fun. Yes, you can have fun in your middle school years, and you can have a life outside of school. In middle school, we have a lot of work that needs to be done, and we may feel like we don’t have time to it because we're so busy. Once in a while, though, you should put down the book and go outside or hangout with friends. You can have a life, and you can have friends; you don’t need to push them away because you have a big test and you have practice after school or a club. You deserve to have fun! Manage your time wisely.
Tip 13: Don’t care too much about what people think of you. This is my favorite rule. I can’t tell you how many times I hear people stress over what people think of them. We shouldn’t care what people are saying about us, because at the end of the day, we have ourselves, our family, and our friends. Love yourself for who you are, and be happy with you, regardless of what anyone says. If you remember this, you’ll love your years at MAMS.
Remember these tips as you travel from sixth to eighth grade. You can survive middle school if you keep these tips in mind. They’re always here to help!
Before We Leave Middle School
by Gabrielle Alli, Grade 6
I’m sure that we’ve all regretted something. Whether it be something we we wished we had tried or something we wished we hadn’t tried, it’s still a regret. I feel as if our years in middle school should be used to correct ourselves, to mature from our younger years, and to correct our mistakes so we don’t make them in the future. We use this time to build up character, to establish a good work ethic, and to develop a personality that is genuinely ours. If you’re leaving middle school this year, I’m sure you want to feel as if you did everything you wanted to in your three years here. Here, I’d like to share five activities you should engage in before you leave middle school.
1. Attend a school dance or event. Personally, I prefer not to dance or to attend anything in which I have to socialize. But I go anyway because I want to experience things and not have to regret something I wished I had done when I was younger. Looking around at all these people at school dances can make me feel a little scared, because I’m not crazy about talking to people, but it also shows me an opportunity to meet more people and learn how to engage in conversations. I don’t have to go, but as long as I’m with my friends, I have a great time. Aside from giving myself a good education, I also want to make memories in middle school. Attending a school dance or an event is an easy way to create these memories. It’s a very simple way to make life-long memories that you can share with future family.
2. Volunteer to help. In our school, there are many opportunities to volunteer and to help people who are in need. We have groups that help spread kindness around school and help special needs kids bond with their peers. Attending meetings for these groups can be a fun and rewarding experience, and can help you see things from a new perspective. It can also set an example for your peers, and help inspire others to also help the community. Volunteering also keeps you active in the town and helps create a good work ethic. Aside from volunteering in school, you can also volunteer in soup kitchens and pet shelters throughout the area. No matter how you go about volunteering, whether it be a community commitment or helping out some faculty members after school, volunteering is a rewarding experience that you can learn a lot from.
3. Join a club you wouldn’t expect yourself to. Sticking to your interests is a great way to choose clubs, as it helps you stay interested in what you’re doing, but trying something new can be a nice change of pace as well. It can be very rewarding to try something new as well, as it helps teach you about your own undiscovered interests. You can also meet people through the clubs and organizations you join. At the start of school, I immediately saw a couple of clubs I wanted to join, and planned on just starting out with just those two. However, my interests and curiosity grew, and I ended up joining four more clubs than originally intended. The clubs that I had decided to join on instinct didn’t pop out at first, but I now enjoy them and am happy with the decisions I’ve made. I learned from this that trying new things can be rewarding. I even plan on joining more clubs next year so I can experience more new things!
4. Face your fears. Middle school is supposed to be a time to mature and a time to develop a sense of bravery before we move further in our lives, but there’s always a little fear. Going into middle school, I was afraid of meeting people and schoolwork. To be honest, I am still a mess of anxiety and stress out over every little thing. I’m still afraid of talking to people I don’t know. But ever since I came into middle school, I’ve been working on it. I take a break every now and then just to sit down and watch TV, which usually doesn’t fit me because I’m always “almost done” with everything. I go to school events now, and have learned ways and means of getting myself to talk to new people. It’s always going to be difficult to fight something so scary, but there’s always going to be a way to get through it. Middle school is a great time to face our fears so we can be brave as we face high school.
5. Learn something new. We are always learning something new in school, whether it be a new strategy in math or something that happened in the past in social studies. However, it is always nice to learn new skills outside of school and academics. Learning a new language or learning an instrument is an exciting and challenging experience. While it can be very difficult, the end product is very rewarding, and once you learn something new, you have a new view on life that nobody can ever take away from you. I have been learning how to play guitar, and while it can be rough to get a handle on some new parts, I’m happy to be able to play in the end. I am happy with my decision to learn this skill. Know that taking initiative and deciding to learn something on your own can be fulfilling. Learning a new language, learning how to play an instrument, or anything similar can be a nice skill to have. It is also gratifying to learn something at a young age, so you can have this skill in the future.
In the end, middle school is just a huge learning experience, and we still have a ton of time ahead of us to achieve new things. But middle school sets the foundation for your future. Middle school is a great time to get ahead and to experience new things so we can keep these experiences with us throughout our whole lives. We can all, as middle school students, turn into amazing adults with the little experiences now that shape us.
I’m sure that we’ve all regretted something. Whether it be something we we wished we had tried or something we wished we hadn’t tried, it’s still a regret. I feel as if our years in middle school should be used to correct ourselves, to mature from our younger years, and to correct our mistakes so we don’t make them in the future. We use this time to build up character, to establish a good work ethic, and to develop a personality that is genuinely ours. If you’re leaving middle school this year, I’m sure you want to feel as if you did everything you wanted to in your three years here. Here, I’d like to share five activities you should engage in before you leave middle school.
1. Attend a school dance or event. Personally, I prefer not to dance or to attend anything in which I have to socialize. But I go anyway because I want to experience things and not have to regret something I wished I had done when I was younger. Looking around at all these people at school dances can make me feel a little scared, because I’m not crazy about talking to people, but it also shows me an opportunity to meet more people and learn how to engage in conversations. I don’t have to go, but as long as I’m with my friends, I have a great time. Aside from giving myself a good education, I also want to make memories in middle school. Attending a school dance or an event is an easy way to create these memories. It’s a very simple way to make life-long memories that you can share with future family.
2. Volunteer to help. In our school, there are many opportunities to volunteer and to help people who are in need. We have groups that help spread kindness around school and help special needs kids bond with their peers. Attending meetings for these groups can be a fun and rewarding experience, and can help you see things from a new perspective. It can also set an example for your peers, and help inspire others to also help the community. Volunteering also keeps you active in the town and helps create a good work ethic. Aside from volunteering in school, you can also volunteer in soup kitchens and pet shelters throughout the area. No matter how you go about volunteering, whether it be a community commitment or helping out some faculty members after school, volunteering is a rewarding experience that you can learn a lot from.
3. Join a club you wouldn’t expect yourself to. Sticking to your interests is a great way to choose clubs, as it helps you stay interested in what you’re doing, but trying something new can be a nice change of pace as well. It can be very rewarding to try something new as well, as it helps teach you about your own undiscovered interests. You can also meet people through the clubs and organizations you join. At the start of school, I immediately saw a couple of clubs I wanted to join, and planned on just starting out with just those two. However, my interests and curiosity grew, and I ended up joining four more clubs than originally intended. The clubs that I had decided to join on instinct didn’t pop out at first, but I now enjoy them and am happy with the decisions I’ve made. I learned from this that trying new things can be rewarding. I even plan on joining more clubs next year so I can experience more new things!
4. Face your fears. Middle school is supposed to be a time to mature and a time to develop a sense of bravery before we move further in our lives, but there’s always a little fear. Going into middle school, I was afraid of meeting people and schoolwork. To be honest, I am still a mess of anxiety and stress out over every little thing. I’m still afraid of talking to people I don’t know. But ever since I came into middle school, I’ve been working on it. I take a break every now and then just to sit down and watch TV, which usually doesn’t fit me because I’m always “almost done” with everything. I go to school events now, and have learned ways and means of getting myself to talk to new people. It’s always going to be difficult to fight something so scary, but there’s always going to be a way to get through it. Middle school is a great time to face our fears so we can be brave as we face high school.
5. Learn something new. We are always learning something new in school, whether it be a new strategy in math or something that happened in the past in social studies. However, it is always nice to learn new skills outside of school and academics. Learning a new language or learning an instrument is an exciting and challenging experience. While it can be very difficult, the end product is very rewarding, and once you learn something new, you have a new view on life that nobody can ever take away from you. I have been learning how to play guitar, and while it can be rough to get a handle on some new parts, I’m happy to be able to play in the end. I am happy with my decision to learn this skill. Know that taking initiative and deciding to learn something on your own can be fulfilling. Learning a new language, learning how to play an instrument, or anything similar can be a nice skill to have. It is also gratifying to learn something at a young age, so you can have this skill in the future.
In the end, middle school is just a huge learning experience, and we still have a ton of time ahead of us to achieve new things. But middle school sets the foundation for your future. Middle school is a great time to get ahead and to experience new things so we can keep these experiences with us throughout our whole lives. We can all, as middle school students, turn into amazing adults with the little experiences now that shape us.