Graduating from elementary to middle school is a big change. There is so much that is new–building, people, classes, and expectations–it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Here are the best parenting tips for starting middle school organized.
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There are a lot of things about middle school that will depend on where you live, like school rules and dress code. Some of the details might be different, but there are also a few things that are probably the same for every new middle schooler.
Middle school has a reputation for being awful, but that doesn’t have to be true. We have learned a few things that I hope will be handy for upcoming students. These tips to survive middle school will help you and your tween get started on the right foot and hopefully avoid a few surprises.
These are mostly organizing ideas. If you’re looking for parenting the social/emotional parts of middle school, check out everything I know about parenting teens.
Middle school organizing tips
1. Find your way around a new building.
Like starting at any new school, it’s helpful to visit the building ahead of time if you can. Walk around with your child so that they can get comfortable in a new place. Find the cafeteria, library, and (most importantly) the bathrooms.
In our middle school, sixth graders have all their classes in the same hallway. This is pretty helpful for getting to class on time and for avoiding older students who are a foot taller.
2. Print the schedule and keep it close.
Suddenly having to get yourself from class to class and remember what comes next can be stressful. What adult doesn’t remember having a nightmare about ending up in the wrong class at some point?
Print your child’s schedule with the name of the class, times, and classroom number. This printable makes it easy to keep track, especially if the schedule isn’t the same every day. Put one copy in the front of a binder or planner and keep another one at home in the command center.
3. Expect more homework.
You probably expect your child’s homework load to increase each year. We were still surprised, though. My daughter spends about three hours on homework each day, Monday through Friday. Yes, homework on the weekends too.
There are a lot of new and exciting extracurricular activities. It’s tempting to let your kid try them all, but I asked mine to put off signing up for too many until she could get homework done and still have time for anything else.
4. Technology is essential.
Not only did my child have an expensive calculator on her already-hefty school supply list, but she also needed a cell phone and a computer. She already had an old hand-me-down desktop, but I was surprised by how important a cell phone was*.
Our school uses a system that lets teachers text the daily homework and reminders to students (or parents) instead of telling them the assignments at the end of class. The school is also short on computers, so students can either use their cell phones in class or share with a friend.
Of course, she could’ve done without a cell phone, but it would’ve put the responsibility on me for keeping up with her homework daily. More on cell phones in this post.
* I wrote this post in 2016 before cell phones were banned in some schools.
5. Find an organization plan that works.
More homework and more responsibility come with every new school year. I was surprised to learn that teachers don’t send notes home – with the exception of permission slips for field trips.
There were quite a few missed dates and activities while my daughter struggled to remember what was coming up or didn’t hear the announcement, to begin with. Having a planner is helpful, but only when you remember to write things down.
6. Don’t sign up for too much.
Middle school comes with 1001 new activities your child can do during school and after. It’s easy to want to try all the things, but it might be better to pick just one or two. Having something to do (in addition to homework) every day after school will just leave your child burned out and ready to quit.
My daughter wanted to sign up for band so we told her to wait until she was sure she could do homework and practice every day before adding something else. She participated in UIL (a short-term commitment in the spring) but turned down math club and a few others.
7. Make sure they’re sleeping.
Tween and teens need more sleep, about 8-10 hours. The combination of busy schedules and changing hormones can make that a challenge. It’s helpful to still have a bedtime and make sure your child is turning off the lights and electronics.
8. When in doubt, ask.
A timid and overwhelmed child may be hesitant to ask questions. Remind your child that everyone had to go through middle school. When there’s something they don’t understand – homework, bathroom passes, locker combinations, etc. – keep reinforcing that they can ask a teacher for help. If your school has a Mrs. Trunchbull, odds are it also has a Mr. Feeny too.
If your child comes home confused and stressed, send a quick email to a teacher for clarification. Teachers may not be sending home notes and updates, but they’re still available and happy to help.
9. Remember they’re still young.
It’s easy to get carried away with all the new responsibilities and expectations. If your child is starting the sixth grade, they’re only 11 or 12. Remember that just minutes ago they were elementary kids. While they may treat your children like teens and mini-adults at school, as parents we can’t expect them to become that overnight.
Keep bugging your child about how their day went. Keep giving lots of hugs and tucking them in at night (if they want you to). Middle school is a weird place between childhood and adulthood, so do what you can to find balance. You know your kids best.
What’s next? Try these other fun and creative ideas on One Mama’s Daily Drama:
I like that you mentioned keeping a map on hand of the campus. This was the biggest transition for me, going from attending one classroom to multiple. You want to be sure you get to all your classes on time until you get in a routine.
For sure! Even if you aren’t in a big school it can be a challenge to figure out the best route between classes.
Very Nice Job!! I like the blog to see a similar blog check out my blog thank you!!
Thanks for the advice I’m super nervous and would like as many tips as possible!
You’re welcome! Just remember that like any big change, it always seems like it will be hard until it happens. Those first few days might be stressful, but you’ll get in a routine before you know it.
Thank You Very Much For The Tips!
You’re welcome!
These tips are super helpful….. but I am still really confused on how I can memorize my classes in order..
Hi Lexie! I’ve found that after a few weeks of going to classes, it gets easier to remember the schedule. Until then, I recommend keeping a printed copy of your schedule in the front of your binder so you can easily see it.
Hi Zoey! First, please know that you’re not alone. A lot of people are struggling with all that is going on right now. Second, I recommend that you find an adult you can talk to – whether that’s your favorite teacher, the school counselor, or a neighbor. They can help you work through anything you’re going through and suggest ways you can spend time with other kids.