Thinking about the future and what lies ahead for your match? Your 5th or 8th grade mentee might be too as they will be entering the 6th or 9th grade next fall! The idea might be both exciting and a little scary for each of you. When compared to the structure and smallness of elementary, middle school will be a whole new world for your 5th grade mentee. And for 8th graders, while high school is probably something they’ve been looking forward to, it can still be a scary transition!

An important life lesson we can share is that change is always a part of life and can be an exciting new adventure. Talking about it ahead of time can help you both prepare for the transition in the fall.   A conversation you can begin with your mentee this month is about their expectations of middle or high School. To get you started, this chart highlights the many differences, from homework to lunch schedules, between elementary and middle school. A second article, Memories of Middle School as told by Middle School Students, will surely get your mentee excited about exploring middle school with you and prepare them for the adventure.  What to Know When Transitioning to High School can spark some conversation and perhaps even provide the opportunity to share your own memories of the move to 9th grade.  Of course if you have questions your Mentor Director is always a good source of support, information and resources.  Give them a call!