From Middle School to High School: The Hopes, Fears, and Expectations of 8th graders

"Do you know what classes you're taking next year?" is a common question 8th graders have been asking each other as the second semester gets underway, a semester filled with course registration, high school prep meetings, and growing excitement for what is to come. With all the many changes that spring brings, 8th graders also begin to seriously think about their transition to high school. As a result, individuals have begun developing expectations and assumptions—some hopeful, some nervous—about what high school would be like.

But are they accurate?

"Moving up" is the language that students use when discussing the shift between middle school and high school. As schedules are selected, new standards are presented by teachers, and conversations with friends become increasingly future-focused, many 8th graders have already started to experience the pressure of this new era.

The transition to high school is widely talked about as a significant milestone, especially among international school communities. Students are transferring from being the oldest in middle school to being the youngest in high school. This change of role and environment provokes a combination of feelings, and students begin trying to psychologically prepare for the unknown.

"I've already started thinking about how I'm going to get my life more together," Bryan Kim, 8th grader, said. "There's this feeling that once you get to high school, everything counts. Every grade, every club, every choice. I've been thinking about how to start off well, even though I know it won't be perfect."

For most, there's also the growing awareness that high school will change their social circles, their day-to-day habits, and even how they identify themselves. With more clubs, sports, and student groups available to them, there's excitement, but also the increasing fear of not fitting in.

"I'm so worried about finding my niche," said Dana Ko, 8th grader. "In middle school, we all knew everybody. We've had the same people in our classes for years. But in high school, I feel like there are so many more people, and I'll get lost. I'm excited, but I'm afraid I won't fit in anywhere."

And then, of course, there is the ghost of academic rigor. Though 8th grade classes already begin to prepare students for more serious work, many students regard high school as a whole new ball game—especially in how seriously grades are taken and how fast the classes all seem to go.

Everyone keeps talking about GPA," Bryan said. "We're already talking about college and we haven't even started 9th grade yet. There's this pressure that if you mess up your freshman year, it's hard to recover."

In spite of the fear and uncertainty, the majority of students also convey some degree of hope. Many are anticipating the new possibilities that high school will offer—be it selecting electives, participating in student-run clubs, or finally being able to be a part of high school traditions.

I believe high school is where I'll truly discover what I enjoy doing," Bryan said. "Middle school is somewhat the same for everybody, but in high school, you have more of a choice. I would like to do things I've never had the chance to do before, such as debate or student council."

Even the students who are nervous admit that improvement is a part of the game. They don't anticipate it to be effortless, but they wish that the experience will make them more self-reliant and self-assured.

"I wish to be more responsible, yet more inquisitive," Claire said. "I think middle school helped us learn the fundamentals, but now it is time to determine who we really are as students and individuals."

In the meantime, it is dawning on many that no amount of preparation can completely assuage the fear of change. There is a growing sense among 8th graders that high school is not something they can fully expect—it's something they will just have to get through and figure out in the course of time.

“I think it’s okay to not know everything,” Dana said. “We’re going to mess up sometimes. But we’ll also figure things out along the way. I’m trying to stop worrying so much and just stay open to whatever comes.”

Students interviewed demonstrate that while they are uncertain, they are also beginning high school with a sharp sense of awareness. They are nervous, but not naive. They are hopeful, but also realistic. And most of all, they are willing to grow into whatever comes next—even if they don't yet have all the details.

As the year progresses and high school draws closer, 8th graders are finding that this is the moment to discover how to face the unknown with curiosity, courage, and community. And while the transition will not be simple for some, it will certainly be profound.