Am I Ready for Middle School?

Preparing for a big transition

Afghan female primary students gather to meet U.S. and NATO service members and Afghan National Police who were visiting their school as part of Project Kabul, Dec. 4. Project Kabul is a school supplies donation effort started by several middle and high school students in San Antonio; military parents deployed to Camp Eggers, Kabul, worked with their ANP counterparts to find schools in need and coordinate the visits. Girls’ schools typically receive less funding and support than schools for boys. (DVIDS)

I am currently in 5th grade, which is my last year of elementary school. Next year, I will be going to 6th grade — meaning I’ll be starting middle school. I feel excited, sad, and nervous all at the same time. Today, I want to share what’s on my mind as I think about this big change and why I feel the way I do.

The reason I feel very sad about going to middle school is because many of my friends, whom I have known for a long time, will be going to different middle schools. This makes me really sad because I’ve built strong friendships over the past couple of years. One of the friends who won’t be going to the same middle school as me is my best friend, Anna Claire. She was so kind to me on the very first day of 3rd grade and has been kind ever since. She showed me around the school when I was new and helped me feel comfortable. She’s truly the greatest friend I could have asked for — and next year, she’ll be at a different school. Another one of my closest friends, Susie, is also going to another middle school. She always helped me with homework or classwork whenever I asked and stayed kind even when I wasn’t always my nicest. I will miss them both so much.

I’m also excited about middle school because it’s a chance to learn new things and start a new chapter in my life. I loved my journey through elementary school, but now I feel ready to try new things and face new challenges. Even though moving forward can be a little scary, it’s part of growing up. Plus, I’m really happy that one of my best friends, Camila Delcid, will be going to the same middle school as me. She’s always been there for me when I needed her and knowing that we’ll be together makes me even more excited about what’s ahead.

At the same time, I feel nervous about middle school. One thing I’m worried about is school fights and things like that. I know that fights and other problems usually happen more in middle and high schools, and while I’m not worried about getting into one myself — because I know how to stay away from trouble — I’m nervous about possibly getting caught up in someone else’s drama.

Another thing that makes me nervous is the older kids. There will be students who are 13, 14, or even 15 years old, and since I’m only 11, it feels a little intimidating. I’m not super nervous, but it’s still something on my mind. Finally, I’m also nervous about meeting new classmates. Kids from other schools will be coming to my middle school too, and adjusting to new people isn’t always easy for me. I wish we could stay with the same group every year because then we’d always feel comfortable with each other.

Anyway, those are all the feelings I have about starting middle school and why! Comment below how you felt when you went to, or you are going to, middle school and how you adjusted to a new environment.

Thank you so much for reading my blog! I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day!