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yourself a break.

      Don’t beat yourself up over

      every little mistake. Instead, celebrate what you did right, and accept

      and understand what you did wrong. Then move on, knowing that you

      did the best you could do.

      Be levelheaded.

      Worrying sucks up your energy.

      Don’t let thoughts about

      what could go wrong eat away at your precious time, or you’ll be left

      with nothing to show for it—except

      a bellyful of butterflies. Focus on

      what good things could happen:

      I might get an A! If you have to

      consider the negative “what-ifs,”

      follow up each one with a positive

      “what-if.” Give yourself five minutes;

      then

      get on with things.

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      Be open-minded.

      Much of your time in middle school is spent getting tested, graded, and

      evaluated. Teacher comments, class critics, and even input from parents

      can sometimes hurt. Try to take each comment one at a time and see

      if you can use the advice that’s given.

      Don’t take it personally or

      get discouraged.

      Remind yourself:

      Don’t worry—

      you’ll be just fine.

      Soon enough,

      YOU

      could be giving

      advice to someone else who is scared

      about starting middle school, just like

      you were.

      I’m a good person.

      My math skills just

      need a little work.

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      new school

      Dear American Girl,

      I’m going to middle school next year,

      but I’m not sure I’m ready for all the

      responsibility yet. What if I forget

      which classroom to go to, or if I get

      to class late and get detention?

      Kate

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      What to look for:

      t

      your locker

      t

      your homeroom

      t

      your classrooms

      t

      girls’ bathrooms

      t

      cafeteria (lunchroom)

      t

      nurse’s office

      t

      counselor’s office

      t

      main office

      t

      gym and locker room

      t

      drinking fountains

      As soon as you get your schedule and a school map, locate each of your

      classrooms on the map and trace the route you’ll take from room to

      room. Then make sure you stash your map in your backpack or tape it

      inside your locker.

      If you have the opportunity to “walk through” your schedule before

      the first day of school, by all means do it! If your school doesn’t allow

      this, it’s not a big deal. No one will expect you to know your way around

      right away.

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      getting around

      Chances are, your middle school will be bigger than your elementary

      school. Just think of it as room to grow. You’ll be navigating the halls

      like a pro in no time.

      Lost and found

      t

      Classroom numbers

      typically start with the number of the

      floor they are on. For example, room 101 is on the first floor and

      room 201 is on the second floor.

      t

      Drinking fountains

      are almost always located near the

      bathrooms.

      t

      Stairways

      are usually at the ends of halls. Look for exit signs.

      t

      Use visual landmarks

      to help remember which way to go.

      “Take a left at the trophy case, pass the room with the hamsters . . .”

      One way

      Hallways can get pretty crowded between classes. Try to stick to your

      right to stay with the flow of traffic—like on a freeway!

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      Afraid you’ll be late?

      Don’t panic. Just walk as quickly as you can. Don’t stop to talk—instead,

      ask your friend to walk with you as you chat. Plan a stop at your locker

      only when it’s on your way. That means that you might have to carry

      more than one class’s books with you at a time. If you need more time

      than is allowed between classes to go to the bathroom or pick up some-

      thing at the office, ask a teacher for permission or a hall pass.

      Home sweet homeroom

      You may be assigned to go to a room first thing every morning and

      at the end of every day. There your homeroom teacher will take

      attendance and you’ll listen to announcements. When the bell rings,

      it’s off to your first class!

      In some middle schools, you might not switch for every class during the

      first year you’re there. Instead, you’ll have a homeroom teacher for your

      core classes, much like you did in elementary school. If your district

      does

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