| I know, you would rather try to hang on to the summer | | | | about history. Make sure your backpack or bag has |
| life - lie in bed all day, eat cereal in front of the TV or | | | | room for all your necessities and doesn't kill your back. |
| computer, live at the mall. I get it. But, you know it's | | | | Some have a million little pockets for your mp3 player, |
| going to happen, no matter what you want to do. So, | | | | highlighters, pens, phone, snack, make-up, etc. Get what |
| instead of throwing a tantrum like your little brother | | | | works best for you and your necessities. |
| does when he is told to pick up his toys, let's get ready | | | | 3.Pull your look together. You know how busy it can |
| for a rockin' school year! | | | | be that first week of school. So, get your hair cut two |
| 1.Set a schedule. You're going to get lots of papers | | | | weeks ahead of time. Even if the lady butchers your |
| telling you where to be for first hour, when to get to | | | | bangs, you've got time for them to grow out. Also, get |
| track practice, study hall, drama practice, orientation, | | | | your clothes figured out now. Clean out your closet |
| etc. Do you have a way to handle all that stuff? Get a | | | | and all your drawers a month ahead of time. Try |
| calendar that you like. It could be a big wall one, but | | | | everything on. You don't want wedgies the first day of |
| then how will you check it during the day? I suggest | | | | school, because you grew two inches and gained ten |
| something you can carry in your back pack. You can | | | | pounds over the summer. This will give you time to do |
| find simple ones at the dollar stores or more | | | | some shopping and save some money by looking for |
| complicated kinds at office stores. Don't spend too | | | | all the best sales - always a big deal with Mom! |
| much money on a planner or calendar until you've tried | | | | Double-check your hygiene situation as well. Do you |
| out a few different kinds and find the one that works | | | | have all the face-washing, acne supplies in hand now, |
| for you. | | | | so when you get those last-minute zits, you don't have |
| 2.Get a pack to stash all your stuff. Whether you walk | | | | to panic? How about deodorant, body spray, breath |
| to school, ride a bus, bike, whatever - you need to | | | | mints, make-up, girly necessities? Keep some in your |
| have a backpack of some kind to carry all that | | | | backpack at all times, with plenty of back-up supplies |
| nonsense the teachers send home every day. First | | | | at home. |
| thing - try to get all your homework done at school, if | | | | If you do those three things about a month before |
| possible, so you have less to carry. Second, prioritize. If | | | | school starts (or even the first day of school) you'll feel |
| you don't have to do history until Friday, but you have | | | | a little more in control. Going back to school is an |
| a huge science test tomorrow, and only have room | | | | inevitable pain for most middle school kids, but at least |
| for one more book, take science! Just don't forget | | | | you are ready! |