The Middle School Inside Scoop
As the school year kicks into full swing, we asked a group of Lincoln middle schoolers to share the inside scoop. Whether you’re getting ready to start middle school or just wondering what it’s really like, their tips, stories, and answers will help you feel more prepared, and maybe even a little more excited, for the adventure ahead.
Meet Asher
13 YEARS-OLD
What do you wish you knew before middle school?
I wish I knew it would be not scary at all and teachers are very supportive.
What has been your favorite class and why?
My fav class so far would have to be PE because you always get good teachers and they always are flexible with when you are hurt.
What’s something new you’ve tried in middle school that you ended up liking?
Something new I tried was speaking out and finding friends to play football with.
Who made a positive impact on you at school?
A person at school with a positive impact would be my friend Ian cause we try to be the better one with grades so we somehow end up with good grades.
What do you like to do for fun after school?
I like to play football with friends after school.
What’s your favorite school lunch?
My fav school lunch has to be the Salisbury steak cause it’s so good.
Meet Sommer
12 YEARS-OLD
What do you wish you knew before middle school?
That it’s not as bad as it seems.
What has been your favorite class and why?
FCS because it was really fun and I loved my teacher.
What’s something new you’ve tried in middle school that you ended up liking?
Going to CLC after school.
Who made a positive impact on you at school?
My friend Juillet.
What do you like to do for fun after school?
Hang out with my friends or at grandma’s.
What’s your favorite school lunch?
Mac and cheese or wings.
Meet Archer
12 YEARS-OLD
What do you wish you knew before middle school?
The first couple of days, it seems difficult that you have to walk through the school to get to your next class. But once you get used to the schedule, it’s really easy.
What has been your favorite class and why?
Humanities was fun, and my teacher was great.
What’s something new you’ve tried in middle school that you ended up liking?
I didn’t think business tech would be interesting, but it ended up being one of my favorite classes.
What do you like to do for fun after school?
Hang out with my friends.
What’s your favorite school lunch?
I bring my own, so I always get to pick what I have.
Meet Vincent
12 YEARS-OLD
What do you wish you knew before middle school?
I thought it would be hard to make new friends, but I found a bunch of friends right away. There are more kids, so it’s easy to find a group you get along with.
What has been your favorite class and why?
Skilled tech was my favorite. We got to build whatever we could create with wood, and it’s fun to use the equipment.
What’s something new you’ve tried in middle school that you ended up liking?
I thought science would be boring, but the classes were super fun and interesting.
What do you like to do for fun after school?
Ride my bike.
What’s your favorite school lunch?
Definitely pizza day.
Meet Sarah
13 YEARS-OLD
What do you wish you knew before middle school?
I wish I knew that kids will think anything (and I mean anything!) is weird in middle school. I opt to not care and just be myself, which is more fun.
What has been your favorite class and why?
My favorite class is science because the teachers are just so nice and you get to do more hands-on experiments.
What’s something new you’ve tried in middle school that you ended up liking?
I tried woodshop. I thought I would hate it, but I found out that building is very fun to me.
What do you like to do for fun after school?
I love to draw digitally and I have several fun drawings that I’m proud of.
What’s your favorite school lunch?
I love Salisbury steak! No idea why, I just love it.
Meet Ben
14 YEARS-OLD AND JUST COMPLETED EIGHTH GRADE AT SCOTT MIDDLE SCHOOL
What do you wish you knew before middle school?
Compared to elementary school, it’s really different, but it’s different in a good way. Middle school really isn’t scary. It’s a nice way to kind of get you ready for high school in the short, really quick three years. I really like the change. I think most kids going into it are like, “Oh my gosh, it’s gonna be really scary. The teachers are so much more strict.” They’re really not. It’s a nice experience.
What’s something new you’ve tried in middle school that you ended up liking?
Publications. I had never done graphic design or, I guess, interviewed too many people before that, and I got to kind of learn Canva® and Photoshop® and all that over the course of the year and talk to a bunch of different people that I wouldn’t normally talk to, or I guess wouldn’t even really want to talk to, but I ended up really liking it. It was really fun.
Who made a positive impact on you at school?
Mrs. Cownie. She was my counselor in sixth, seventh, and eighth grade, and she was always super nice. If I ever needed anything, I could shoot her an email, and she’d do her best to help. She was always smiling, very positive, and always there throughout my entire middle school career, and it was really nice of her.
What do you like to do for fun after school?
I’ll go home and get my homework done and play some video games with my friends. I’ll go to my brothers’ basketball games, and actually sometimes my friends are in there too.
What’s your favorite school lunch?
Well, I have not eaten school lunch since first grade, believe it or not. I have a streak going, and I intend to keep it up, but Scott in the cafeteria had a soft-serve ice cream machine, and it was really good, so I’ll go with that. My favorite lunch to bring to school was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, apples, and chips. You really can’t go wrong with that!