To all the new 7th graders:

Top Ten Tips To Surviving Seventh Grade!!!!

First, believe in yourself!!!!
Second, Caffeine is your friend!

Those may be true, but there is more to getting a good grade and having a good time in class than self-confidence and caffeine.

LISTEN UP: 7th grade is a hard time, and there are many things that I have learned that I wish I knew at the beginning of the year. Please, PLEASE, heed my directions, or your year will be as hard as mine was. I'm not trying to scare you off, because there have been some really good times for me, but if you want life to go smoothly, I would suggest lending an ear. (Or an eye, geddit? You know, because you are reading this??? No? Fine, I'll leave. Just kidding! I don't want to be responsible for future 7th graders failing this class.)

1. DON'T PROCRASTINATE!
I know everyone is going to be covering this subject, but it is the truth! Don't procrastinate, because it will make your life hard. I went through the school year with missing assignments, and putting stuff to the last moment, and it was not fun. I survived, barely. Make sure to get your work done before the deadline, preferably as soon as possible.

2. Do your work on time
This goes along with not procrastinating, but always do your work on time! If you want a good grade, turn your assignments in as fast as you can. Get a planner, or something, because you can't forget your assignments. I tried to get in the habit of using a planner, but I kept forgetting! Try to be less like me, and do your best!

3. Don't talk when the teacher is talking
NEVER do this! This will show that you are both not listening to the instructions you are being taught, and you don't care about the teacher or the class. You could also distract your fellow students, making it hard for them to do anything, as well. You could get bad grades, and your friends could get bad grades.

4. Don't cheat
I never did this one, but there are many people who have, and it is a very dangerous slope. Cheating on tests or assignments is just wrong, and like #3, you could harm your friends as well. You could get ISS (In School Suspension), or you could get an NP on your test or assignment. If just being a good person isn't enough, do it for your grades, Or the fact that your parents could get a call from the school, then you'd be in trouble!

5. Befriend the teacher
This one is a good one to learn, because teachers are people, too. They have troubles, hopes, and dreams, just like you. If you become friends with a teacher, they are more likely to help you, and then you will succeed in any class. It is also nice to have someone to talk to if you need help with an assignment, or just to lend an ear.

6. If you talk a lot, don't sit next to your friends
This goes along with #3, don't talk when the teacher is talking, because if you don't sit next to your friends, you will be less likely to talk to them, and then, you won't have to deal with getting in trouble, or feeling embarrassed if they call you out. If you can't sit next to someone you know without talking, don't sit by them!

7. Ask for help
Always ask for help if you are stuck, and never just go on without knowing. Get good grades! Ask your friends, your parents, or any teacher, and they would help you. If you aren't in a place where you can get help from others, ask the internet, but only use viable sources, with endings like .org, .net, or .gov.

8. Write fast
This one is mostly important for Language Arts, but it could be used in any amount of classes. If you write fast, you will get your assignments done during class, but remember to take your time when finding the answers. Also, keep it legible!

9. Always try to be at school
This is why our school does strive for 5, because they want students to learn. If you don't, you could miss assignments, and you will have to spend precious time doing assignments instead of doing the things that you like to do. If you're stuck with this, ask a parent to help you do your assignments.

10. Have fun!
Lastly, the most important, have fun! This class is a really great class, and you should look forward to it! Just follow the rules, and have a good time! Don't talk in class, though. If you heed my advice, this last one should come easily.