By Autumn Tate Singleton

I walked through the halls of Guntersville Middle School for the very first time on August 9, 2010. I was excited about seeing my friends for the first time since the past school year had come to an end, and I felt like I was getting a chance to grow- up some. Yet, in between being excited and curious, I was scared. Older students and teachers are speedily walking from room to room, asking questions, talking to friends, and easily making it through the day. But it’s different on your first day.

I thought to myself, what should I be afraid of? It hit me: I am entering a completely different school. I will have more work. I will have more responsibilities.

I walked through the lunchroom’s double doors looking for a friendly face. Instead, I feel as if I am being stared down by a million eyes. I don’t see any of my close friends right off, so I grab a tray and a slice of pizza and head toward the sixth grade tables. I manage to squeeze in a seat by some girls that I have a few classes with.

After the first few days of school had passed, I started to realize that the negative rumors were untrue. The torture predicted with moving up to middle school fades into a bad memory. Middle School is not so bad! There is more work and it is more difficult than elementary work, but I enjoy my school life here! The Mean Teachers that have haunted my imagination are replaced by helpful and understanding teachers that make me more excited about being a part of this place.

I walk from class to class guided by my written schedule, I feel anxious that I still have a hard time remembering what class to go to at what time. I am hoping that it will all settle into my head soon enough.

The bottom line that I discovered is that middle school is not bad at all. Yes, it is very different from elementary school, but it’s different in a good way. You are treated more like an adult than a child, and you learn responsibility.

The fear that followed me through those first few days was probably the same fear that followed around ever new sixth grader in every new middle school. It can be scary, but finding my own rhythm has helped me discovered that it can also be an amazing adventure.