A grade-by-grade guide to middle school:

6th Grade:

1. Middle school is all about learning to be organized and to manage your time well. Get a calendar and start planning your assignments and activities. How much time can you spend on each thing and still get everything done?
2. If you need help, your school probably has tutors or special workshops to help students who want to improve their grades. Ask your parents and your teachers what resources are available for you.
3. In middle school, you may know more about math and science than your parents. Try teaching your parents some of the things you’re learning in school.

7th Grade:

1. If you’re good at math and science, try helping one of your friends who is having a tough time.
2. Do you have any ideas about what you want to do when you grow up? Now is a great time to research what kind of education you need for the careers you like.
3. Create an account on www.collegeboard.com. In addition to providing basic information about tests and scholarships, this website will also help you make an action plan, compare colleges, learn about financial aid, even apply to college.

8th Grade:

1. After high school will you go on to a four-year college, two-year college, technical school, the military, or start working? It may seem like a long way off, but in 9th grade, you’ll get to choose classes based on what you want to do after graduation.
2. Doing well in your math and science classes this year will help you no matter what you want to do after high school.