Remembering my middle school days takes me back to the late 80’s/early 90’s. Most people knew me as a shy, quiet young girl who excelled in school and had a few close friends. I was never a class clown or the life of the party and much preferred to fade into the background without standing out too much. I only really came out of my shell when I was alone with my friends. Not much has changed in the present day, I’m still introverted and like to observe my surroundings. I also still work very hard, but now instead of school work, I’m focusing on my blog.
One of my most prominent middle school memories is performing a leading role in a skit at my graduation. My friend and I wrote a skit about saying no to peer pressure and then performed it in front of the entire school plus family and friends. You’d think being such a shy person that I’d be incredibly anxious. It was actually the opposite. I felt confident and enjoyed playing my part. It felt good to step out of my comfort zone and I remember how proud I was that I was able to do that.
I also remember the middle school bullies. Kids can be so mean. I was picked on for various reasons including my appearance and personality. The fact that I was so shy made me an easy target. They figured I wouldn’t fight back and they were right. I ignored them, but it hurt. A lot.
If I was offered the chance to go back in time to my middle school years, I wouldn’t hesitate to say no. Yes, there was lots of fun with friends and I had very little responsibility besides ensuring my school work was done. However, the toll those years took on my self-esteem is something I’d prefer to not experience again. Middle school is tough!
My youngest daughter, Bridget, is currently in middle school now. She was the polar opposite of me as a child and is outgoing and adventurous. I know that these years are some of the most important years of a person’s life. What happens in middle school stays with you and helps shape you into the person you become as an adult. It’s an adventure, but it does have its challenges along the way.
I’m looking forward to watching the new movie, “Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life” with my daughter. It will be in theatres on October 7th.
It looks really funny! I couldn’t help, but smile when I watched the trailer. Love the soundtrack too!
The movie follows middle schooler, Rafe Khatchadorian, on his mission to break every rule in the school’s oppressive Code of Conduct. His best friend, Leonardo the Silent, is on the sidelines awarding him points for every rule he can break. Some of the milder ones are chewing gum in class (5,000 points) and running in the hallway (10,000 points). Rafe will receive a whopping 50,000 points for pulling the fire alarm. When Rafe’s game starts to catch up to him, he’ll need to figure out if winning is all that matters or decide to face the rules, bullies and truths he’s been avoiding.
Disclosure: I was compensated for this post. All opinions are my own.
DonnaD says
I remember the girls going crazy over the new boy with blonde hair and wearing a pink shirt.
Robyn L says
during recess the girls gathered on one end of the gym and the boys on the other end. no mixing.
aketch says
I was looking forward to moving on to high school!
Jennifer P. says
I didn’t go to middle school, it did not exist in my area when I was a kid – we went K-7 for elementary school and 8-12 for high school. Our city does have middle school now (I still live in the city I grew up in, in BC) but my kids are not old enough to have attended yet, so I truly have no middle school memories because I have no experience with it. Personally I liked only transitioning to a new school once, in grade 8, whereas now my kids will have to transition in grades 6 and again in grade 9. I was quite shy though so one transition was enough for me. My oldest is my only one in school yet and she is way more outgoing than I was, so I think she will love the extra transition – the more friends she can meet, the better! She probably will really look forward to moving schools a couple of times and increasing the number of friends she can have!
travelbuds says
I lived out in the sticks where we walked to elementary school but then going to middle school I had to take 30 minute bus ride. The bus stop was about a 20 minute walk so you sure didn’t want to miss the bus.
Rosanne Robinson says
I didn’t go to middle school, the elementary school that I went to went from grade 1 – 8 and then went to high school for grades 9-13. I was shy and quiet in elementary school, but I became the class clown when I went to high school, the transition was remarkable.
DEBIJOT says
I remember having a crush on a boy and a lot of talking to girlfriends.
Robyn Bellefleur says
I remember getting teased about having braces in middle school.
Jennifer says
I can see myself from your post. I used to be a shy girl when I was at middle school and had few friends. But I feel nothing wrong with it just because it is my characteristic. Now things have changed and I have made new friends but this memory still exists in my mind.
Rosie M. Jordan says
Your post reminds me immediately about the time when I was in middle school. My best friend was a massive shy girl as you. I felt such an honor to be the one with her to help her standing out. Luckily, now she becomes a wonderful confident mommy. I’ll check the movie with her. Thanks for the share. It would be a nice time to remember the past.