Crazy Tip Time: Don't Wear Your Princess Panties!

Okay, okay. I know I haven't posted in awhile but I'm back and with a crazy sounding tip: Don't wear your princess panties! Weird, right? Let me explain.

First, one of the experiences I was most concerned about before starting middle school was gym class and locker rooms and having to change in front of everyone. If you're like me, this fear was at the top of my list. You're telling me that I have to remember a combination lock for this locker too AND get changed in front of strangers?? Umm, no thank you.

But of course, this situation is unavoidable. You have to take gym class and you have to change in front of other people. I'm here to share with you some of the strangest but most helpful advice I received about this conundrum.

It was at the end of my fifth grade year and someone had asked my fifth grade teacher about what gym class was like in middle school. She simply said: Don't wear your princess panties.

She went on to explain that although underwear with princesses, days of the week, and superheros are super cute, they aren't the kind kids wear in middle school. And this isn't to say that people stare at your underwear when you're changing and judge you based on what kind you have on. However, it was some of the most helpful advice I received because sure enough, the first day of gym class, not one person had on princess underwear. 

So! As part of your before-school shopping, I highly recommend in investing in some non-princess, superhero, or days of the week underwear. Even if no one happens to realize what you are wearing, it'll boost your own self-confidence.

Do you have any crazy tips? If you do, feel free to comment them below or email them to iwillrockmiddleschool@gmail.com to be featured in a blog post!

Alumni Post #4 -- Everyone deals with the same problems.

Middle School was absolutely the worst three years of my life. As the prideful person I am, being judged and disliked by others were my greatest fears. Middle School is brimming with judgement and the pressure to be accepted, making everyday for me a seemingly endless pain. For most students, including myself, the struggle of trying to reflect the person you are on the inside to your outside appearance under the harsh social conditions is the most difficult part of Middle School. Through my experience, my only advice to anyone working through Middle School or about to go in, is to realize that everyone is dealing with the same problems you are, and that although there is pressure to be accepted, a lot of it is in your own head, so just relax, don't talk unless you have to, and you will do fine. -- Nova B.

Alumni Post #3 -- Don't be afraid to put yourself out there!

Middle School can be a confusing place, but there's one thing I remember from it most. It wasn't the dances or the friends, it was learning about where I can fit in. I've never been much of an out-going person. I've always been able to count my friends on my hand and my shyness definitely got the best of me. That being said, I was nervous about asking the guys if I could play basketball in gym. They didn't hesitate to say yes and put me on the team, but it still took me a while to come out of my shell. I'm still shy for the most part, though some of that shyness went away after those years of playing basketball with the boys. I guess my point of this is: Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. The worst anyone can do is say no. -- Kylie W.

Alumni Post #1 -- Time flies and you're one of the big guys!

SURVIVING MIDDLE SCHOOL!!! My name is Shelby K.! I am a Sophomore at Crystal River High School. Now hearing 'Sophomore', you're probably thinking: 'She's one of the big guys! She's in High School!' But, believe it or not, I was in your shoes, starting a brand new school, with a bunch of new people, new teachers, new environment! It seems scary the first couple weeks. But trust me when I say, 'You're going to be okay!'.  I think the hardest part of starting Middle School is everything being unfamiliar. You go from knowing everyone for 5 years at one school, and becoming so familiar with the people, the school... Enough to know it like the back of your hand! Then to now entering what seems like this big world with many other people than just your friends. I remember my first day. I was so lost, so scared, and just didn't know what to think! My biggest fear was just completely humiliating myself. But I met a lot of very nice teachers to help me throughout the day, and even the other students were very nice. After a month or so, the school seems like it shrinks. It's not as big as it was when you first started. By that time, you've also made many new friends and have become more confident. My tips for surviving Middle School are to stay focused, always be bright, get involved as much as you can, always be on top of your game. Ask teachers questions if you have any. Never be afraid to ask! Always be true to yourself. Don't let anything get in your way of what you truly want in your future career or even yourself. There will be a lot of drama but it's always safe to stay away. And just enjoy Middle School while you can because the next 3 years go by really quick and the next thing you know, you're a Sophomore in High School! -- Shelby K.