Advice for Grade 8

Not to worry! High school will be the best (sometimes-challenging) 5 years of your life. To help prepare you for high school here is some advice that could help you:

• You are going to make new friends and plenty at that. Make sure that the friends you make are people that you want to surround yourself with – people who will motivate you when you are struggling.

• Know that your teachers are people too – just like you! A simple “Hello Sir / Mam, How are you today?” will most definitely put a smile on their face.

• Plan plan plan! It is high school and the workload will increase. Good time management skills and organisational skills will benefit you greatly. If you do not know how to do it – ask your parents or a teacher. We are always willing to help. Never feel like you cannot ask for help. 

In 2011, Mark Zuckerburg gave a speech at a Middle school graduation in Menlo Park California. He mentioned three things that can help you to move away from the ‘I can’t’ attitude. 

The first thing he said was that everything that is worth doing is actually really hard and takes a lot of work. High school will be hard at times but if you put in the effort, you will reap the benefits. Do not be afraid to do the tasks that seem impossible at first. These tasks tend to teach us more about ourselves than we could ever imagine.

Secondly, he said that you have to focus on building great relationships. "When you go through school, a lot of people probably just tell you to focus on grades and doing the work. They don't tell you to focus on having friends and really enjoying yourself," says Zuckerberg. "But the reality is, that stuff is really important too”.

Lastly, he said that you should do what you love. "When you go home to dinner and you have the worst tasting vegetable on your plate, you can make yourself eat it if you want to," says Zuckerberg. You are going to sit in subjects that you do not like, especially in Grade 8 and 9, you just have to power through, as this will teach you valuable skills, like self-motivation and determination that will come in handy when you do the things that you love. 

Now, stop being nervous and get excited for the most incredible experience of your life!

Shontell, A 2011, ‘Mark Zuckerberg’s 8th Grade speech, Business Insider, 9 June, accessed January 2020, https://www.businessinsider.com/mark-zuckerbergs-8th-grade-speech-2011-6?IR=T