Some teachers give out sample assignments over summer for you to practice on.

Some schools have gatherings during the summer to help you meet other kids in your year, so attend these if you can. If you don’t know anyone who will be in your grade at your school, talk to your neighbours and other kids on your block.

E-readers like Kindles are another good way to get some reading done. There are heaps of book apps available online for e-readers. As eighth grade progresses, you will have less time to read for pleasure. This is another reason why reading as much over summer as possible is important! Reading is a good activity for any time of the day over summer. Try reading outside, at the park, or a chapter before bed every night.

Many schools will post their rules online so that you can check them before your first day. If there is a rule that you don’t understand, talk about it with your family or with your teacher when you start. They will explain it to you in a way that makes sense.

Many schools don’t let students wear short shorts, tank tops, or clothes of particular colors. Check the rules before you buy new clothes to make sure that what you are getting will be appropriate. Talk to your friends about what they are planning to wear to school if you are struggling for ideas. This will help to give you a good picture about what your peers will be wearing.

If you won’t be eating cafeteria food, get a lunch box to hold your food throughout the day. The subjects that you are taking will determine what you need for the school year.

A daily planner is also a great place to put your goals for eighth grade. You can include the grades you are aiming for, deadlines you want to meet, and any extra-curricular activities you want to participate in. Some highlighter pens and sticky notes can also help you to further organize your planner.

There are also many other supplies that you can pack in your backpack to help you feel ready for eighth grade. A hairbrush, hand sanitizer, a card with emergency numbers, deodorant, a few band-aids, and sanitary products if necessary can all help you to feel prepared. [11] X Research source

Make sure that you have a big glass of water with breakfast too, to help you feel refreshed and ready to start your day. Some other good breakfast options are fruit smoothies, oatmeal, bagels, and omelettes. [17] X Trustworthy Source Dairy Council of California Resource center focused on providing nutrition education to help consumers make healthy choices about eating and lifestyle habits. Go to source

You could try sports such as tennis, football, or swimming, or join clubs such as debating, volunteering, or chess. Only stick to 1 or 2 extra-curricular activities, as eighth grade will be a busy year! Make sure that you still have time in between all that you’ve got going on to hang out with your friends and to have fun.