Make sure you have a sturdy, durable backpack, too. You’ll be getting your textbooks on the first day and may need to take some home to do homework. Let’s be real: on the first day of school, it’s unlikely that you’ll do more in any class than meet the other kids, do roll call, go through the syllabus, and be told what school supplies to bring. Still, if your teachers or school administrators have told you what you need to bring in advance and are sticklers about it, then you need to be prepared.
Take the weather into account, too. In a lot of places, the first day of school tends to be unbearably hot. You may want to wear a pair of cute new jeans, but if it’s 90 degrees out, you’ll be too sweaty to enjoy them. Make sure you have a lighter backup in mind if you wake up to a muggy day. A lot of girls like to talk to their friends. You may feel better about wearing a dress if your friends are, too. That said, be okay with doing your own thing! Also, make sure you know your school’s dress code in advance. You don’t want to wear something that’s too short or too skimpy and then have to be forced to change into your gym clothes.
Look at a map of your school before your first day so you know where all of your classes are. [1] X Expert Source Ashley Pritchard, MASchool Counselor Expert Interview. 4 November 2019. You can also talk to any older students who have experience with the teachers you have since they’ll know what to expect. Go over your schedule in advance so you’re not as confused about where you’re going on your first day. [2] X Expert Source Ashley Pritchard, MASchool Counselor Expert Interview. 4 November 2019. Face it: there are going to be some curve balls no matter what. That said, trying to get as much information as you can will make you feel more at ease.
It’s likely that your orientation will include students funneling in from other elementary schools, so this can be a chance to get a leg up and to meet new people. Be friendly and introduce yourself. People will be shy and will be excited to meet someone new. Knowing more people in advance can help you have a better time on that first day. Don’t forget to remember their names. You may also get to meet or see some of your teachers or your school principal, and you’ll feel better knowing what to expect. A lot of people also think their middle school feels impossibly huge compared to their elementary school. Going there in advance before your first day will make it feel less intimidating.
Don’t go to your locker between every class because you’ll end up running all over the school. Plan to go to it when you’re closest. If you need to carry a few classes worth of books at a time, that’s okay. Just be sure you have what you need, when you need it.
You can take notes on sheets of loose-leaf, lined paper and then store them in a binder by subject, or just use a notebook — it all depends on what your teacher prefers. If you use a notebook, you can either use a multi-subject notebook or a separate small notebook for each subject. Put everything in your backpack. Make sure you put all your pencils, pens, erasers and such in a pencil case so that they’re all together and you won’t have to dig around for them. Find a safe spot to put your student ID, library card, etc. Clean off your desk or another area of your room to do your homework on. Make sure that there is nothing distracting around it, as you don’t want your homework to take longer than needed. Get a calendar and a bulletin board and hang it there. If you want, get a locker organizer to bring to school, which may include a mirror, magnets, pencil holders and small shelves (although there may already be shelves in your locker). Decide where everything will go before school starts; a messy locker will make you late and get you in trouble.
That said, if you’re new to the school district or don’t have many friends, don’t worry! You’re not alone and you’ll quickly make some friends of your own if you have a positive attitude.
Avoid soda or other caffeinated or sugary drinks the day before school. You don’t want to keep yourself up later than necessary.
Make a lunch, if you’re bringing one, or make sure you have lunch money in your bag, if you’re buying one. Plan how you will do your hair, if you like to do something special with it (but don’t go overboard). You don’t want to have to worry about this on the first day. Bring your ID card if you have one, your class schedule, your phone, and anything else you’ll need to make it through the day.
It’s a good idea to pack your bag the night before school, to make sure you have all the supplies you need. You’ll be able to save time in the morning so you won’t be rushed.
Though having a plan is important, you also don’t have to worry if things don’t go as planned. Even the beginning of your first day of middle school can throw you some surprises, and that won’t be a bad thing.
People will be more receptive to new friendships at the beginning of the year, before too many cliques form. The sooner you talk to new people, the more likely you’ll be to connect for real. If you see a cute guy or girl, don’t be afraid to say hi. People like confidence, and you don’t have to be shy about talking to people.
Though there may not be too many opportunities to participate on the first day, you should do the best you can to show that you care, even if you just ask a question about the syllabus.
You don’t have to suck up to your teachers, either. Just pay attention and act like you really care and you’ll be on your way. Asking good questions and participating in class discussion is a great way to make a good impression on your teachers. [5] X Expert Source Ashley Pritchard, MASchool Counselor Expert Interview. 4 November 2019.
If you can, you should try to get to the cafeteria as early as you can. That way, you’ll be more likely to find your friends or to find a place to sit.
Besides, people are drawn to positive people; the more upbeat you are, the easier it will be for you to make new friends. Don’t compare yourself to other people. You may feel like you’re not as good-looking or as well-dressed as some of the people in your school, but this kind of thinking is pointless and will only get you down. Remember that you have a lot to offer, too, and the well-dressed girl in your French class may have her own set of problems.
You don’t know who your best friends will be yet, and you don’t want to find yourself making fun of someone who could have been your best friend if you had only given her a chance.
If you take the bus home and don’t want to be late, you can get into the habit of packing up your bag in your locker when you have some time between classes so you don’t have to do it all in the few minutes before the bus leaves.
That said, don’t sleep for too long, or you’ll have trouble resting for your second day of middle school.
The most important thing is to get some rest and have a positive attitude. The less pressure you put on yourself, the more likely you’ll be to have a great time.
