10 Truths Middle Schoolers Should Know
At Camp Kupugani, our Midwest overnight summer camp near Chicago and Madison, we help kids become the best version of themselves through empowerment and play-based education. Away from camp, middle school can be a struggle for even the best-prepared child (and family). We came across an article recently with some helpful tips on how to navigate those challenging middle school years. Bullets below, with the full article from Kari Kampakis here.
Here’s How to Navigate Those Challenges:
- Today’s most awkward moments will be tomorrow’s funniest memories. Keep a sense of humor whenever possible.
- A sense of humor puts all things into perspective.
- Confidence in one’s self comes with time; don’t rush it.
- Remind yourself that your current failure can be your future success.
- You don’t want to peak in middle school!
- What makes you cool in middle school most likely won’t make you cool in college (or life).
- Success–like wine–gets better with time.
- If you aren’t popular now, that might be a good sign for the future.
- Technology makes it easy to ruin relationships and reputations.
- Think before you post or comment online; even though posts can be “deleted”, that doesn’t mean they can be unseen.
- Online conversation can easily be taken out of context; nuance is hard to convey in a text, e-mail, post, or online comment.
- Surrounding yourself with good real-life company is imperative.
- Who you hang out with is a part of who you are.
- Good friends lift you up; bad friends tear you down.
- What makes you different is what makes you great.
- Why blend in when you can stand out?
- You can’t change the way someone sees you by conforming to them.
- It’s okay (and often a good sign) to not have your life totally planned out. It can take time to discover your “thing.”
- Many great people didn’t start out in their field of ultimate success.
- It often takes failures in the “wrong” thing to find your “right” thing.
- You can always teach an old dog new tricks.
- Your uniform is not your identity.
- Don’t let other people negatively define you.
- Sports and club can eventually fade.
- Applause can be misleading. You can make a huge mistake and still get cheered on wildly.
- Focus on applauding yourself.
- “Likes” and comments on social media are fleeting and misleading.
- There’s a difference between helpful advice and criticism that holds you back. Be careful where you heed your feedback.
- Not everyone wants you to succeed; don’t give everyone the same voice.
- Run every person through your own mental filter”
- Do they have my best intentions in mind?
- Do they support me when I struggle?
- Do they celebrate when I succeed?
- You’re AWESOME!
- Be you no matter what the world says!
Source: http://www.karikampakis.com/