Middle school is a time of transformation and discovery. Many students spend these years developing newfound hobbies, recognizing what subjects they like most, and starting their journey to adulthood. Eighth grade is a special time for every student.

The shift from eighth grade to high school will always be a pivotal moment; students are about to take on far more responsibility and navigate a more complex environment in their academic and personal lives.

How can a student optimize their eighth grade experience?

We’re here to cover the best ways to navigate this incredibly important year, and how to come out ready for success in high school and beyond.

8th Grade: A year of transition

Although eighth grade is far from adulthood, this is a period in which students find themselves. It’s important to see eighth grade as a year of development and transition; one in which your child can flourish and find themselves.

In moments like these, students should seize the day. It’s time to explore clubs and activities, and define and refine study habits. Help your child recognize what they like and what works for them, and begin to build on this. Perhaps this is the year your child becomes infatuated with reading and writing; consider enrolling them in a creative writing club. Likewise, if your child has athletic dreams, it’s time to hone in on their goals.

“What’s important as you enter eighth grade is to keep in mind that, once students get to high school, they might have more of a strict timeline if they are an NCAA, college-bound student-athlete,” says Laurel Springs School college counselor Shannon Snow.

The point is, your child should see eighth grade as a time to set goals and fulfill their full potential. Everything they’ve experienced in grade school so far is going to ramp up; and that’s a good thing. It’s a moment for students to expand on what they know and dive into new territory; setting the stage for the next step in their life.

Prepare for high school

Consider eighth grade a test-drive for high school. In this year, students go through a more challenging academic experience and curriculum; all preparing them for the next steps in education. Their grades and choices throughout this year and beyond will impact their future on a level not seen prior to eighth grade, and it’s important for students to understand how to navigate this new environment.

“Whether you just started or are about to begin your eighth grade year, there are some really important things to keep in mind—as this is your last official year before high school,” says Shannon. “You might notice as you’re beginning your eighth grade courses that the rigor is a little bit harder than you’re used to. You might even be in a high school level course, perhaps a language you elected to take or a math course. Maybe you’re only enrolled in eighth grade courses, which is a perfect placement for you as well.”

As courses increase in difficulty, so do responsibilities. Students in eighth grade often find their future is on the horizon, and it’s time to think about what kind of student they want to be. There are higher stakes in every decision throughout high school, and although that may seem stressful, eighth grade presents the opportunity to set the foundation on which students can build momentum.

“Wherever you are, it’s important to keep in mind that what you do this year is going to set you up for the rest of your education,” says Shannon. “That sounds really big and scary, but what I mean by that is your last year of middle school is a great time to really hone in on so many skills that you’ve learned in the past couple years as you work your way towards high school.”

Ask your child about their goals and aspirations, and have a discussion on how they can bring both to fruition. Instead of seeing eighth grade as a difficult year, view it as a beautiful transition into tangible success. It’s time to set the stage for their high school career and beyond; and that’s exciting.

Key differences between middle and upper school

A few things to recognize about the differences between middle school and high school are the intent and content of education. Middle school equips students with imperative math, language, and social skills that will be carried into high school. A large difference is who is watching.

Preparing for a future outside of K-12 takes off to new heights in eighth grade, and it’s important for students to expand their goals and provide colleges with an idea of who they are. A big part of this responsibility is for students to become an active participant in their education and grasp a more difficult curriculum by the horns.

“Stay connected and get involved in social communities, because there’s a lot of things you can do as an 8th grader and a high school student that will help you get and stay connected,” says Laurel Springs School K-8 counselor Amber Barnes. “We want you to be connected with your teachers, your college counselors, and other students. That means tapping into social opportunities such as clubs, school-wide events, student government—there are a lot of ways for you to be involved.”

Students should use eighth grade as a year to explore their interests and find themselves, but also participate in their education in new and meaningful ways. This is also a moment of maturity, to start thinking about how students use social media and how your teenager can grow into a productive and happy adult. It’s time for your child to put themselves out there and find out what makes them tick.

Resources for 8th graders at Laurel Springs School

Laurel Springs School students have access to a vibrant system of support, uplifting them from the moment they enter the virtual classroom. Our college counselors are here to aid your child through every step of their high school career, including eighth grade. Here’s a bit of advice straight from the source:

“As one of Laurel Springs’ K-8 counselors, I’m here to help your student become more of an independent learner. As you move into upper school, you’re going to want to have more independence. One thing we want to really stress is to check your email. A lot of information is going to start coming to you about college and different opportunities, so checking your email is important.”

Student-athletes at Laurel Springs might also want to consider the timeline involved in NCAA guidelines:

“If you are one of our student athletes here at Laurel Springs, you may find that the flexibility to focus on your sport as well as continue to take challenging, rigorous, and fun classes has worked really well for you, and that’s something we want to encourage you to keep doing,” says Shannon. “You’re going to have a college counselor to ensure you’re meeting those goals and staying on track. So what you want to do now (in your eighth grade year) is finish up your courses in a reasonable time (during spring or summer) so that you can start that first high school semester on track to finish on June 30 (our reported graduation date for the NCAA).”

Students at Laurel Springs are entering high school with a vibrant system of support. It’s important to use the tools available to your child to ensure the highest quality eighth grade experience; teeing them up for success in high school and beyond. That’s why our Upper School students find so much success; they have all the resources they need to chase their dreams and achieve their goals.

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