Back to School Guide for Avoiding First-Day Jitters for Middle School Students

Starting a new school year can be stressful for many students, especially for a student starting middle school.

Middle school students are often facing new challenges such as moving from room to room for classes and special classes such as band and choir. Middle school is also the first time several elementary schools come together, meaning many more students, with many unknown by your child.

Back to School Tips for Middle School Students - Help Your Child Memorize His or Her Schedule

Many middle schools provide the schedule for the first semester of the school year at registration. If possible, take the opportunity to take the schedule to your child's school and walk through their day with them. Talk about the type of supplies he may need to bring from class to class and if it makes sense to stop by his locker.

If your child is nervous about having enough time to make it from class to class, have your child time the actual time it takes to walk from one class to the next. Your child may be surprised to discover it takes much less time than imagined to walk from one class to another. This will help reduce some of the stress associated with worrying about being late for class.

Spend as much time as necessary with your child to help him feel comfortable with his new school and schedule. This will help reduce the anxiety and stress often associated with the first day of school.

Back to School Tips - Help Your Child Get Organized

After purchasing all of the necessary back to school supplies, help your child get the school supplies organized. If your child will be using a binder, consider working with him to get the binder in according to their school schedule. Discuss the supplies that will be needed for each class and help your child come up with a plan to keep their supplies organized so they can easily move from class to class on the first day of school and throughout the year.

Back to School Tips for Middle School - Encourage Your Child to Contact Friends

Encourage your child to get in touch with friends before the first day of school. Consider having a back to school get together to help your child get back in touch with friends they have not seen since the last school year. Talking to friends will help your child find friends who may be in his classes and make times to meet with friends throughout the school day.

To help your child make and meet new friends, encourage your middle school student to get involved in school activities. Sports, band, choir, drama and clubs offer ample opportunities to help your student get involved and enjoy middle school.

With a little planning and preparation before the first day of school, you can help your child avoid back to school jitters and get the new school year as a middle school student go smoothly.