How to Survive Public Middle School in Florida

I am currently in 7th grade. It is the day before spring break. I'm in Gifted. Ok, so you are starting middle school. You are freaked out, just a little. You might not have any friends going to that school. Tons of homework. You haven't yet memorized your schedule. What do you do?

Step 1: Know Your Schedule.

Seriously. It's not that hard to memorize. I know. Soon, you will be able to navigate through the entire school comfortably. All in good time. I know that the first few weeks I had in 6th grade, I didn't know where anything was. So I got a map of the school. And it helped. Soon I didn't even need it anymore.

Step 2: Find a Group of People to Hang Out With (that You Feel Good With and Vice Versa)

MAKE FRIENDS. SERIOUSLY. You won't want to get up in the morning if you don't have any. Be friendly at lunch. That's the best place to make friends. DO NOT HANG OUT WITH THE 8TH GRADERS, IF YOU CAN. The 7th graders are usually ok to hang with. They kindof think of it as their duty to show you the ropes. They remember what it was like to be a 6th grader, and that usually makes them compassionate towards them. But try to stick with your own grade. I personally love my friends. They are always there for me, and cheer me up when no one else can. I am grateful for that, because besides my books and my family and my singing, they are all that keeps me going. Get some friends. DO NOT TRY TO MAKE SOME LAST MINUTE FRIENDS AT THE LAST SECOND, BECAUSE PEOPLE WILL ALREDY HAVE FORMED TIGHT LITTLE CIRCLES AND WILL NOT LIKE TO HAVE ANOTHER PERSON INTRUDE. Think of it like a pack of wolves. They are extremely loyal to each other, but they will hurt lone wolves that interfere. So make friends in the beginning.

Step 3: IN THE THE HALLWAYS FROM HELL

The hallways are freaking scary, bros. They are filled with sceaming, cursing middle schoolers that have no freaking manners. They push and shove and sometimes even grope people. What do you do? You just walk on your way to class, preferably with a friend. Look for openings in the crowd. Try not to attract attention to yourself. Especially if you are a girl. I'm not gonna lie, people say I'm pretty attractive -which I hate, cause I'm a tomboy- and I have been stalked or reached for in the hallways by guys more than once. It is not fun. I usually just flick them off or step on thier foot or Look at them. The hallways are not good for claustrophobic people. Thankfully, I'm not claustrophobic, but you might be.

Step 4: What the Hell Is THAT????

School lunch. Oh, good lord. Half the schools don't have any DECENT food. IF you consider THAT edible. I don't trust school food, so I usually bring my own lunch. I'm not saying that you should do that, but that's just what I do. Ok.