How to Survive Middle School: 5 Tips That Actually Help

Middle school is hard for everyone — the awkward phases, the social drama, the homework, the changing friendships. This Babysitter Boss episode takes a break from babysitting to talk about real life. Here are five tips for not just surviving middle school, but coming out the other side with your confidence intact.

Summary

  • Some days will be hard — homework will feel unbearable and friendships will disappoint you. Push through anyway. Getting comfortable with discomfort is a skill that will serve you your entire life.
  • Not every day will be awful — give things a chance. Join a club, go to the dance, get involved in something. Showing up is almost always worth it.
  • Friendships change a lot during middle school and that is normal. Some people will drift away, and you will drift away from others — but new friendships will form too.
  • You don't have to be friends with everyone, but you should be friendly with everyone. Being kind costs nothing and builds the kind of reputation worth having.
  • When you need to focus — on homework, a test, or anything that matters — put your phone down. You already know this. Do it anyway.

Video Transcript

Today, we are going to take a break from talking about babysitting to talk about something else super important – mega important – earth-shattering important. I’m going to tell you how to survive middle school. You may call it junior high or something else, but we’re talking about the same thing. Now, some of you like me have already survived the hunger games. I mean, middle school.

For the rest of you, listen closely. Some of you may be getting advice from your parents about how to survive middle school. They mean well, but let’s face it. They went to middle school in a different century. No seriously, they actually went to middle school in a different century.

Tip 1: Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

So, here they are, my top five tips to help you survive the middle school years. Tip number one. Suck it up, buttercup. That was, that was kind of harsh. Let me put it this way. Some days are not going to be fun. Sometimes the homework will be unbearable, and your friends will be horrible to you. You know, the Navy Seals have a saying, get comfortable being uncomfortable. Now, I’ve never been through Navy Seal training, but I’m pretty sure it’s worse than your pre-algebra test. So, take a cue from the Navy Seals – get out of bed, put on your big girl pants, and tackle every day like it’s a mission you’ve trained for your whole life. You will get through it.

Tip 2: Not Every Day Will Be Awful — Let Yourself Enjoy the Good Ones

Tip number two. Believe it or not, some days will actually be fun. What do you know? So, quit expecting everything to be awful. Join that club or go to that school dance. Get involved with something because sitting at your home while your little brother and his friends have a burping contest in the next room, is not fun.

Tip 3: Friendships Will Change and That’s Okay

Tip number three. Your friends may change a lot in the next couple of years. Some friends may drift away from you. Try not to take it personally. You’re still an awesome unicorn. Some friends may turn into people you don’t really like anymore, and you’ll be the one drifting away. But you’ll make new friends, too.

Tip 4: Be Friendly with Everyone, Even If You’re Not Friends with Everyone

Tip number four. Speaking of friends, you don’t have to be friends with everybody. But you should be friendly with everybody. Basically, it’s bad karma to be nasty to other people. Plus, you’ll earn the reputation of being a nasty person. So do yourself a favor and be kind to your fellow middle school sufferers.

Tip 5: Put Your Phone Down When It Matters

Tip number five. Homework is going to get a lot harder, so when you need to focus on something, put your phone down. I know it’s hard for me too. But if you have a big test in the morning, snapchatting photos of you studying probably is interfering with you actually studying. There, that doesn’t sound so bad, does it?

Follow these tips and middle school will be over before you know it. Peace out and may the odds be ever in your favor.

Babysitter Boss Videos

A young babysitter in a blue polka-dot shirt practices changing a diaper on a baby doll while kneeling on the floor in a living room.
Changing a diaper might be smelly, but it's actually pretty easy. Just ignore the smell...
Watch Video
A young babysitter in a denim jacket and red top smiles warmly as she shakes hands with parents at the front door.
Good babysitters have to wear two hats. Knowing your boundaries with the kids and with...
Watch Video
A smiling young babysitter in denim overalls and a blue shirt talks to a parent in a bright kitchen.
So what do I love about babysitting? The money, of course! When I first started...
Watch Video
A young woman with curly hair in a blue shirt looks up with a concerned expression while sitting on a couch next to a little girl holding stuffed animals.
It might be hard to know when to turn down a babysitting job. When is...
Watch Video
A young woman in a yellow top lowers her colorful sunglasses with a skeptical expression while holding a large, ice-cream-shaped cup.
Babysitting can be fun, but it can also be scary. What do you do if...
Watch Video