When I was 11 years old, I went to middle school and practiced and practiced and practiced opening my locker before the first day of school. I was terrified that I would get a tardy or not be able to get one of my notebooks that I needed. I was scared that I would go to the wrong class or that my teachers wouldn’t like me.

When you start middle school (or junior high), it’s important to remember that everyone else your age is nervous too. You’re starting at a whole new school, starting to switch classes, and getting around seven new teachers! Who wouldn’t be nervous? You probably have a lot of questions. Where do I keep my notebooks? Where are my classrooms? How do I use a locker, and where is my locker? 

One thing I found helpful was doing a walk-through of my new schedule. If your school has a Meet the Teachers night, do a quick walk-through to find all of your classrooms. This will help you be prepared on the first few days of school because you will know where all of your classes are and when you need to be there! Regardless of your grade level, this is a great strategy to help manage anxiety on the first day of school. Another tip is: if you can, try to meet your teachers before the first day of school. That way, you will know them, and they will know you! That makes it so there is no nervous anticipation on your way to a class on the first day of school. You will already have some idea of what to expect.

Regarding lockers, remember that there are teachers who will help you understand how to use the locks. Before you start school, try to have a parent or other trusted adult who has used a locker before teach you how to use your locker combination. Most teachers (depending on the school you attend) have a master key, so if your lock is stuck, they can open it for you. Most schools also do not require you to use a locker, so you could also just use a backpack if lockers aren’t for you. I used a combination of my backpack and locker. I carried most things in my backpack, but if I didn’t need something for the day, I would leave it in my locker. 

These tips really helped me feel more comfortable in my environment. I prepared for school and I wasn’t as anxious. Because I wasn’t as anxious, I was able to enjoy learning about my classmates, teachers, and curriculum.