need one pair for school and one for gym. Also
have a pair in your closet for dressing up for the band concert.
t
Crack the code.
Check your school’s dress code and make sure
the clothes you plan to wear are appropriate.
getting there
What if I oversleep and get to school late? Will I get into big
trouble?
Sleepy Samara
If you know you’re going to be late, ask your mom or dad to write
a note or call the school explaining why. It’s OK to be tardy once in
a while if you have a good reason. By middle school, though, you’re
expected to be there before the bell rings. If oversleeping is a problem
for you, this is a good time to start working on new habits.
Last school year, I was late almost every day. Next year I am
going to middle school, and I’ll have to get up even earlier.
I need a plan to help me get ready in the morning. Help!
Not OK
Take a look at your morning schedule and see where you can gain some
time. Do you need to set the alarm to go off earlier? Or maybe you
should talk to your siblings about letting you in the bathroom first.
Try some of the organization tips on the next page to get yourself up
and out in the morning.
get into the habit
Make busy school days a bit easier by sticking to a
basic routine.
Doing tasks in the same order each day will help you remember what
needs to be done. After a while, you’ll whip through your routine in
no time.
The night before
t
Look at your planner or calendar
to see what the next day’s schedule holds
for you. Make any special arrangements
and set out anything extra you’ll need.
For example, put out your flute if
tomorrow’s a band day.
t
Set out or at least
think about what you’re going to wear
the next day. Is your outfit clean?
t
Pack your backpack
or book
bag so that you can just grab it and
go in the morning.
Homework
done?
t
Ask Mom or Dad to
sign any papers
or write any notes you
need for the next day.
t
Pack your lunch or, if you need it,
tuck
lunch money
into your
backpack or book bag.
t
If you like to sleep in,
take a shower or bath at night
so
that you’ll be fresh for the coming day.
t
Tuck in with a good book
to help you relax and get into
dream mode.
Breakfast Bets
Everyone knows it’s really important to have breakfast every morning.
But did you know that the wrong kind of breakfast can leave you tired
and sluggish around mid-morning? Foods high in processed sugars and
flour, such as sweetened cereals and frosted toaster pastries, can
actually zap your energy. Instead, try to eat whole-grain foods, fruits,
and protein to keep you going. Some good choices are whole-wheat
toast with peanut butter, granola, an apple or banana, yogurt, oatmeal,
or a glass of milk.
The morning
rush hour
t
Stretch!
t
Bathe or shower if you
didn’t the night before.
If you did, just
freshen
up quickly
in the
bathroom.
t
Get dressed.
t
Eat breakfast—
preferably sitting down!
t
Do a
quick mirror check
to make sure your hair is
neat and your shirt isn’t
on inside out.
t
Grab
your stuff
and go.
before you go
Even more important than school supplies and new shoes is bringing
a good attitude with you as you head to middle school.
Be self-confident.
Almost every girl cares what other people think about her—especially
when meeting new classmates or trying out a new look.
It’s natural
to be a little unsure of yourself
in new situations, but try not
to think the worst when things are left unsaid. If someone is staring
at your new haircut, she may be thinking how it would look on her!
Be realistic.
You skipped over question #3 on the test and blew your chance for
a perfect score. So you spend the rest of the day thinking: How could
I