We could all use something a little hopeful right about now, which is why we loved reading this paper from an 11-year-old Atlanta-area girl, written on her first day of middle school. Apart from the optimism, it's also a great reminder that when it comes to work, school, and life in general, sometimes it's best to keep things simple. Check it out!
“I am really excited for middle school and the challenge it brings. Summer was fun but I counted down the days until I could see my friends and start learning new things. The middle school building and everything that surrounds it is brand new to me. It will be exciting to get to learn my way around by heart very soon. There are three character traits that I believe describe me as a student that will help me succeed in middle school: determination, being inclusive, and organization.
The first character trait that will help me succeed in middle school is determination. To me, determination means setting a goal and working hard to accomplish it. As a sixth grade student I am going to be setting goals for myself throughout the year. For example, to use my time wisely, to get good grades, and to become a good member of the [...] softball team. I know middle school is not going to be easy and it may be a bumpy road along the way, but with determination I can make it through.
The second character trait I have chosen is to be inclusive. I consider being inclusive as a way to make people feel good about themselves. This year I will do my best to make sure I include everyone. Sixth grade is going to be a big change and there are a lot of new students. I will make sure that others and I make the new students feel welcome. This is a great way to make friends and to learn fascinating things about them. Being inclusive comes easy as long as you are open to change, not judgmental, accepting of others, and open-minded.
The last character trait I believe will help me succeed this year is organization. I feel that organization is a great way to balance all of your schoolwork and activities so that they won’t pile up. There are many other pros of staying organized too. For example if your locker is a mess you might miss your class. Staying organized is a great way to make you feel less stressed and more prepared.
These character traits will help me succeed and work through the years in middle school. When you are determined you can set a goal and accomplish it easily and move on to the next one. This year will be a great year to be inclusive because there are new students that need to feel welcome. I believe organization will be a great way to make you feel good about being in sixth grade.”
Sometimes determination, inclusivity, and organization is all you need! We wish the writer the best of luck in middle school, and we hope you all enjoyed this little reminder that there is still a bright future ahead. 💖
