I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that you are about to begin middle school; time goes by way too fast. You will embark on having locks on your locker, every incoming middle school student’s worst nightmare, multiple classes, and having an actual letter grade for your classes. You will start making decisions for yourself both academically and socially. But above all this, you will grow up more. As I move into college, the last thing I would want you to feel is lost in middle school.

Don’t slack off of your work if Mom doesn’t tell you to do your homework. A step in being in middle school is deciding to do your homework or study for that test by yourself. Spend as long as it takes to understand the material and don’t be discouraged if you don’t understand right away. Nobody becomes brilliant just like that- it takes time. Just remember to never give up on the work. If you feel a bit over your head in school, there are plenty of ways to reach for guidance: ask a friend about the work, talk to your teacher, use the internet, stay after school practicing the material. It’s okay to give into help because that reveals the fact that you are at least trying. Your superiors want you to ask for help. You have the potential to achieve any bar you set for yourself if you are motivated enough to succeed.

Treat everybody how you would like to be treated. You will start to develop a voice that you have to decide how you want to impact others. Use your voice for nothing but uplifting words and kindness towards others. It doesn’t cost anything to brighten somebody’s day. Hear something that angers you? Keep it to yourself. Don’t waste your precious voice on telling somebody off. It’s always best to avoid saying anything negative towards somebody. This goes to an extent. Of course, don’t be silent when a friend is in danger. You never know what somebody is going through. Not everybody has the life that you have.

You have been blessed with a life that not everybody is given. Be humble about what you have. Don’t go announcing that you have all these things to your friends. Don’t make others feel bad about what they don’t have. Some don’t have much, but they make it work with having an optimistic outlook on life. The attitude that you make really matters when you go about life. Being the focus of attention isn’t always the best thing. It may be the best feeling to receive praise after praise, but it feels even better to focus on others. Take any chance you get to help others and make them feel loved. Ask them about what they are doing for the weekend or how they feel about a teacher. People love to know that others care about them.

Pick your friends carefully. You will likely go through high school with these people. Friends really do influence you and your decisions. Do you want your friends to be in your life throughout high school too? Friends will come and go throughout your life as you and your peers grow up. A friend should make you feel highly about yourself and the time you guys spend together. Don’t be friends with somebody whose actions aren’t the best because chances are that this will likely rub off on you. Never settle for friends who want to change who you are. You should be able to have friends who accept you for who you are. You will begin to encounter peer pressure to do things that you don’t want to do- it’s okay to say no. Stay true to who you are.

I love you and never forget that. I still love you even when you are a pain. I still love you when you take my things without asking. I still love you when you put me down. Feel free to call me to ask me a homework question, as usual, or just to talk. I’m only a phone call away. My hopes for you is that you have nothing less than a bright future full of happiness and success.