Going into middle school can be very nerve racking, but having a guide when starting comes in handy. Starting a new school is hard, especially when you go from having one class and one teacher to having six classes and six different teachers. 

I talked to Emery about what she thinks some of the incoming 6th graders need to hear so they can be ready for middle school and she said, “Just remember to be yourself, choose good friends, and really focus on all of your school work.”

Middle school can be a scary place so when incoming 6th graders have someone to help them it’s a lot easier to handle everything. Sixth grade is a year of transition, new teachers, new routines, new expectations, and by the time June arrives, students have learned lessons that go far beyond textbooks and homework. 

Another major lesson from the year is the importance of staying organized. Many students admit that a planner, a clean binder, and a consistent routine made the difference between feeling overwhelmed and feeling in control. Sixth grade introduces more responsibility, and learning to manage assignments, deadlines, and materials becomes a skill that pays off all year long. 

Academically, 6th graders discover that asking questions is one of the smartest things they can do. Teachers appreciate curiosity, and students quickly learn that speaking up helps them understand material more deeply. They also realize that studying a little bit each day works far better than cramming the night before a test. 

Socially, the year brings its own set of discoveries. Friendships shift, new connections form, and students learn that kindness matters more than popularity. Many end the year with different friends than they started with, and that’s completely normal. 

Stay organized, ask for help, choose kindness, and give yourself room to learn. By the end of the year, you’ll look back just like they are now, proud of how much you’ve grown and ready for whatever comes next.