Advice for Incoming 6th Graders – From Those Who Have Been There!

The transition from fifth to sixth grade is a big one. You go from two teachers to seven. You have more homework and more responsibility. It can be daunting. But it can also be exciting—those middle school years are often when kids start discovering what they truly excel in.

We asked some of our older and wiser middle school students (rising seventh and eighth graders) what advice they have for incoming sixth graders:

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Sharing: Advice for Rising 6th Graders

Joseph Mitchner, rising seventh grader, Tinker K-8:

Be yourself, be positive, show respect for one another. Be true to yourself. Always stay on top of your work, because when you don’t do your work, it will pile up and you won’t be able to control everything. I know it’s hard having more classes and homework, but I promise if you make the right choices, it will set you up for success!

Alex Valentin, rising eighth grader, Orange Grove Middle Magnet School:

Make sure to turn things in early and just stay on top of everything. It will feel overwhelming at first but don’t let it stress you out. Hobbies like sports and music can help balance everything out!

Avery Timmerman, Rampello K-8:

If you don’t need it, don’t bring it. Memorize your locker code. Go to your locker as little as possible.

Jenna, Tomlin Middle School:

Memorize your schedule during summer. Make good relationships with your teachers. Be nice to everyone and stay out of drama. Don’t date in middle school. You’re too young. Go to all the school events that you can. Keep good hygiene—deodorant, perfume, shower! ASK QUESTIONS!

Grayson Taylor, rising seventh grader, Walker Middle Magnet School:

Do your homework when it is assigned so you won’t forget. Also, turn in your assignments so you won’t get a zero and get yelled at by your parents.

Fallon Fields, rising eighth grader, Turner Bartels K8:

Have a positive attitude and put yourself out there. Try out for band, chorus or sports. If you don’t know what your thing is, try all of them so you can find what you like. The more you are involved, the more friends you will make, and the more comfortable you will feel in middle school!

Ayden Gillman, rising seventh grader, Martinez Middle School:

Sit back and chill the first three periods. If nobody has said hi to you, then for the rest of the day, say hi to kids who are sitting alone. It will make you feel better, and it makes them feel great! By the end of the first week of school, I had made a lot of new friends!

Bode Cleary, rising seventh grader, Walker Middle Magnet School:

Don’t do anything dumb to try to be cool.

Parents chimed in with advice for parents of incoming 6th graders:

Dianellys Lopez, Parent:

The biggest challenge for me and my daughter was the usage of Canvas. It is the main form of communication for homework and assignments. My advice for future sixth graders, and their parents: Get very familiar with Canvas. Get signed in now to get familiar with the online portal before middle school starts. You can learn more about Canvas, and sign up, here!

Melissa Desmond, Parent:

Stay on top of Canvas. Download and use the Parents Canvas to check grades and homework. Ensure homework is submitted. Sixth grade can be hard with loads of new teachers, and often they each have different ways they want your child to submit the work. Often my daughter would do her homework but forget to submit it online or hand it in. So we would sit down together and run through the homework instructions including how it needed to be submitted.

Alison Alfandre, Parent:

Take advantage of the morning teacher sessions and email teachers any questions you may have. They are usually very helpful and understanding.

To learn more about Hillsborough County Public Schools visit our website at HillsboroughSchools.org

Originally published in the August 2024 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.