Middle school has a reputation for being a tough time in a student’s life. Yes, it’s a transitional period (both academically and in terms of lifespan development). And yes, there will be lots of new things to get accustomed to. However, the middle school years are also bursting with opportunity. It’s your chance to get to know yourself better, forge lasting friendships, and start thinking about your future.
Seize the day and enjoy this time because you’ll be in high school (and then college) before you know it. Read on to find a few tips on how to be successful in middle school. (Just remember that “success” looks different for every student.)
22 Tips for 6th-8th Grade: Preparing for High School & Beyond
1. Learn good study habits
If you’re like many students, study time has so far consisted of rereading class material and notes and maybe highlighting a few sentences here and there. It’s time to shake things up. Start using active study techniques, an interactive and engaging approach to studying, to reinforce learning and knowledge retention. The University of Pittsburgh and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill both offer guidance on active studying.
When developing new study habits, consistency is important for achieving results. However, it’s also important to give yourself a break now and then to avoid burnout.
2. Practice good time management
You’ve probably heard adults toss this phrase around a lot, but what exactly is time management? It’s about how you organize and use your time. Practicing good time management can help you stay on track toward your intended accomplishments, and it can even reduce stress. (If you’ve ever tried to start writing a paper the night before it is due, then you already know that improper time management can be stressful.)
Use these tips:
- Keep track of all the tasks that need to be done.
- Organize tasks according to priority.
- Plan your weekly schedule in advance, setting aside enough time for each task.
- Stay focused while working on tasks; turn your phone off and avoid other distractions.
3. Get organized and learn how to stay on track
Just as you need to learn how to organize your time, you also need to keep everything else organized. There is no one “right” organizational system; experiment and figure out what works best for you. However you organize your class materials, assignments, notes, and projects—both digitally and in the physical world—it’s important to stay consistent once you’ve figured out which system works best. Getting your schoolwork organized will also help you stay on track toward task completion.
4. Commit to turning in every assignment on time
One constant rule in life is that things happen unexpectedly. Whenever possible, plan on completing assignments at least a day before they are due—just in case something unexpected happens that throws you off track.
5. Participate in a variety of extracurriculars
When preparing for high school and college, it’s important to keep in mind that colleges generally prefer to see students stick with one or two extracurriculars on a long-term basis. This demonstrates commitment and sustained interest (and may also give students leadership opportunities).
However, in 7th and 8th grade it’s perfectly fine to try different extracurriculars to figure out what you’re interested in. If you find that one activity doesn’t engage you the way you thought it would, you can explore something else.
6. Enjoy your social life, but with limits
Learning how to be successful in middle school is important, but it’s also important to enjoy life beyond school. Spending time with friends is not only enjoyable—it’s healthy. During middle school, try to use the bulk of your social time for face-to-face interactions, which are generally more meaningful and satisfying than virtual ones. When you do text or scroll social media, avoid doing so in class or during designated study times.
7. Get to know your guidance counselor
Many students don’t take full advantage of this significant resource. Your middle school guidance counselor doesn’t just help you choose classes; they can also help you with the following:
- Adjusting to the demands of middle school
- Preparing for high school
- Navigating peer conflicts and other issues
- Developing study habits and stress coping skills
Additionally, if you’re struggling with something beyond the classroom—whether it’s parental divorce or food insecurity—your guidance counselor can help.
8. Complete aptitude assessments and reflect on your results
Aptitude assessments are one way to start thinking about your high school electives, college major, and career path. KD College Prep offers evidence-based aptitude assessments that include a one-on-one session to discuss the findings. Your results may lead you to consider a possible career choice that you’d never even heard of before.
9. Read for fun (and to build your vocabulary)
Yes, reading really is fun! And you don’t have to slog your way through James Joyce’s “Ulysses” to use reading as a means of building your vocabulary and language comprehension. Find your own preferred reading material—it’s perfectly fine to choose whichever books interest you, whether they’re fiction or nonfiction.
10. Enter a national competition for your age group
Entering a national competition shows that you’re willing to take the initiative and do more than just the minimum for school. There is a long list of national competitions for middle schoolers, so it’s quite likely you’ll find at least one or two that align with your interests. For example, you might enter the eCyberMission, Academic Pentathlon, or National History Day Contest. Here is an extensive list of national competitions and similar programs for middle school students.
11. Explore the things that make you happy
The KD College Prep team works with many students who aren’t sure where their path lies after school. And that’s perfectly normal, especially in middle school. One way to get to know yourself better is to engage with more life experiences. You already know what makes you happy. Look for ways to take the next step to explore that interest further. For instance, if you love playing video games, perhaps you could sign up for a coding or graphic design class at a community center.
12. Start thinking about which careers interest you
As you explore the things that make you happy, start thinking about your career options. You can try Googling phrases like “careers for students who love music” and so on to see lots of different options to consider.
In middle school, it may be a good idea to take an Aptitude Assessment to explore your potential career paths. Your interests will continue to change over time, but by the age of 13 or 14, aptitudes tend to remain constant. KD’s Aptitude Assessment service includes a one-on-one session with a college counseling team member to discuss your results.
13. Research high school extracurriculars you may want to join
Your middle school likely has some of the same types of extracurriculars as your high school will, but there will also be some different choices that may not be available to you just yet. Start preparing for high school by checking out your options ahead of time. Remember, this may be something your middle school counselor can help you with, too.
14. Start visiting colleges in your backyard
At this point in your life, you don’t need to know which college appeals most to you. You don’t even need to have a shortlist of choices. But if you’d like to get a jumpstart on the process, talk to your parents about taking a tour of the colleges that are closest to your home. These preliminary visits can help you have more productive college tours later on as your search gets more serious. (You’ll know what to look for, and you’ll know how a college tour generally works. And getting started early is always a good move.)
15. Ask for extra tutoring help if needed
No student can be expected to be perfect at everything. Even if you’re a high achiever, you may struggle with certain concepts or an entire subject. Don’t hesitate to ask for extra tutoring help if you need it.
Please note: KD’s one-on-one tutoring services cover content and strategies for the PSAT, SAT®, and ACT® tests. We do not offer tutoring for school subjects.
16. Talk to your parents/guardians about saving for college
It’s entirely possible that your parents or guardians have already been saving for your college education. It’s always a good idea to know where your college finances stand and what sort of support you can expect as you leave high school. If you don’t yet have a college savings account, ask whether it might be possible to start one.
17. Look for scholarship opportunities
Even if you do have some college savings, it’s not likely to be sufficient to pay for your entire education. College is expensive and getting more so every year. Start looking for scholarship opportunities now—there are plenty of them for middle schoolers. Apply to as many of them as you are eligible for.
(P.S. Our blog on scholarships lists many opportunities for middle schoolers.)
18. Consider signing up for a test prep program
If you’re a student who wants to get a head start on the PSAT, SAT, or ACT tests, or you have unique goals like testing in middle school to qualify for a talent identification program, then it might be the right time to sign up for a test prep program.
KD College Prep offers the Advanced Start™ Program for 7th and 8th graders. This program is designed for high-achieving and gifted students who are ready to study alongside high schoolers.
19. Get involved with community service
If you already perform community service, congrats! It offers so many benefits, and not just for those you’re helping. If you haven’t volunteered before, you’ll be pleased to know that it can be a fun experience, especially if you choose a role that aligns with your interests. (Weekends at the animal shelter, anyone?)
To maximize the impact on your college admissions, plan on volunteering on at least a semi-regular basis each year of middle and high school. This may be a few hours a month year-round or a few weeks during the summer. Try to stick with the same organization(s), if possible.
20. Practice healthy stress coping skills
Life happens. Stress happens. Stress may be inevitable, but you can control how you deal with it. Try a few different methods and find one or two that work best for you. Consider talking to your guidance counselor for tips, as well.
Some ideas for stress relief include:
- Deep breathing (Breathe in through your nose to a count of at least three, then out through your mouth to a count of five or so.)
- Yoga
- Meditation
- Exercise
- Positive self-talk
- Talking to friends
- Forest bathing (It’s a thing, we promise.)
Please note: these stress coping skills are not a substitute for seeking professional help from a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist/counselor if you are suffering from severe depression and/or anxiety or are considering self-harm, suicide, or harming others.
21. Start planning your high school classes
Even as you’re considering how to be successful in middle school, it may not be too early to begin thinking about course selection in high school. This is because the classes you take in high school—as early as 9th grade—can affect your college admissions. This is especially true if you plan on applying to highly competitive schools.
We offer one-on-one college counseling sessions for 7th and 8th graders to assist you with course selection and college and career planning.
22. Enjoy your childhood while it lasts
It’s been said before, but it’s true: You’re only a kid once. You will never have the opportunity to go back and relive your middle school years. And although you’ll technically still be a kid until you’re 18, you’ll be so focused on college prep during high school that you might not get as much free time as you’d like.
Cherish your time while you have it and make memories that will last a lifetime. Have sleepovers and be goofy with your friends. Ask your mom to teach you a family recipe. You’re your dad to a baseball game. Spend time with your grandparents and ask them what life was like when they were young—and really listen to them. Read your favorite series and watch your favorite shows. Time is a precious. Don’t take it for granted.
What should middle schoolers do to prepare for college?
Middle school is a time to explore your interests—both academic and personal. Engaging in a variety of life experiences—from community service to summer camp—is a great way to get to know yourself better and to begin shaping your future plans. It’s also a good idea to talk to your guidance counselor about course selection, and to sign up for a few different extracurriculars. Start thinking about your long-term goals too.
What steps can I take now to help ease my transition from middle school to high school?
One way to ease your transition is to get in the habit of developing good working relationships with your teachers, coaches, counselor, and other adults in your life—both in middle and high school. They are a resource you can turn to when you’re struggling with something.
You can also try:
- Attending all available orientation events
- Developing good study and time management habits
- Limiting your time on social media in favor of meaningful face-to-face time with friends
- Establishing a balanced daily routine
How do you fit in in middle school?
The best way to fit in in middle school is by accepting who you are as a person. Once you embrace your own quirky, individualistic self, you’ll realize that you don’t need to try to please everyone or be popular with every group. (That’s an impossible feat, anyway.) You’ll find the people who are right for you—those who uplift you and support you and whom you, in turn, uplift and support.
Are middle school grades important for college?
Yes and no. Colleges don’t typically look at middle school grades. However, if you do get good grades in middle school, you may be eligible for honors and Advanced Placement (AP) classes—which will help you with admission. In addition, getting good grades in 7th grade may enable you to start taking high school classes in 8th grade, which will put you ahead of other students.
Want to get an early start on college prep?
KD College Prep is here to help ambitious, high-performing middle schoolers get an early start preparing for college admissions. From our college counseling services to early prep for the PSAT, SAT, and ACT tests, we offer a middle schooler needs to start their college prep journey. Schedule a free consultation to learn more about how we can help your student reach his or her goals.