learning

Grade 8 is a very important year. It is when people get a fresh start in a new environment and meet different people. However, a new school usually means one does not have a lot of friends.

Here are 3 very important skills to remember that will help one survive grade 8.

1) Get out of your comfort zone.

2) Do not stress about grades too much and relax.

3) Be yourself.

These skills are very important for the survival of grade 8.

One of the most important skills you need to survive grade 8 is to be confident and get out of your comfort zone. You will not have fun and gain friends if you just keep to yourself. Get out of your comfort zone and join clubs and other activities what would give you an opportunity to make new friends. They can meet people with common interests and become friends.Sports teams are a good way to meet new people, too.  Even if you’re not awesome an any sports, this is a good chance to get a lot better and make new friends in the meantime. Also, don’t be afraid to talk to the people in your classes.
Another way to survive grade 8, is to not stress too much about grades and just have fun. Even if your do badly on one assignment or test, there will always be more, so don’t take a bad mark too seriously; just try to improve the next time. School is not just about homework, studying, and marks.  It is about being a part of a culture.  Have a balance between studies and extracurricular activities, such as clubs and teams.  Moreover, spend some time to go out with friends; go shopping, watch television, or to simply just sleep and forget about the stress off school.

The last way to survive grade 8 is to just yourself. People can tell if you’re trying to be someone you’re not, and it makes you seem like a poser. That’s not really a good way to make genuine friends either. Don’t feel forced to be something you’re not. You’ll never really be happy or comfortable pretending to be something you’re not. Be confident enough to know that you will find friends who will appreciate the real you.
These are just a few tips that I’ve picked up after my first year at Prince of Wales Secondary School. I had a good year. It took it a bit of time to adjust, and I admit that I am still trying to figure everything out. I made some good friends and joined a few clubs. I spent a lot of time just focusing on my school subject, but next year, I’m going to join a lot more clubs and participate in more events.

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readingAlthough most students don’t really enjoy reading the stuff they force down your throats at school (some of that stuff is actually REALLY GOOD!), students may want to pick up a book and leisurely read it on the beach on their iPad .  It’s a good way to pass the time when they’ve had enough of television, texting, and Facebook.

Here is a link to lists for some summer reading for all elementary and high school levels that will stimulate the mind, challenge the vocabulary, and shoo away boredom.

Here are some of Think Out Here‘s picks:

Early Reading

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst

If you Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff

Olivia by Ian Falconer

The Jolly Postman by Janet and Alan Ahlberg

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka

 

First Novels

Time Warp Trio: The Not-So-Jolly Roger by Jon Scieszka (the whole Time Warp Trio series is good)

Geronimo Stilton: The Curse of the Cheese Pyramid    by Elisabetta Dami

Jigsaw Jones #13: The Case Of The Detective In Disguise    by James Preller

Magic Treehouse: Night of the New Magicians    by Mary Pope Osborne

George’s Marvelous Medicine    by Roald Dahl

 

Intermediate Elementary

Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief    by Rick Riordan

Harry Potter: The Philosopher’s Stone     by J.K. Rowling

The Hunger Games    by Suzanne Collins

The BFG    by Roald Dahl

Artemis Fowl: The Last Guardian by Eoin Colfer

 

Junior High/Early High School

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

Scott Pilgrim’s Precious Little Life by Joss Whedon (the whole Scott Pilgrim series is good)

I Am Number 4 by Pittacus Lore

Battle Royale by Koshun Takami

Who Done It by Jon Scieszka

 

Intermediate High School

Catch 22 by Joseph Heller

Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk

Cat’s Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis

 

Hope you enjoy some of Think Out Here’s picks.  Write us a comment and tell us what you think!  Better yet, find a tutor to deconstruct the novels with you!  Have a great summer!

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