Get involved and branch out. Find clubs or extra-curricular activities that interest you. When offered electives, take something you're interested in, but also consider taking classes that cover new topics. You'll meet a variety of different types of people and may discover a new talent or interest.
Ignore the gossip or cliques. Though it may sometimes seem that middle school is all about the social scene and people's opinions, try to be yourself as much as you can. Speak up when you have something to say, stand up for what you believe in, wear what you feel comfortable in and stay connected to the activities that make you happy.
Give people a chance. Don't assume that because a classmate dresses a particular way or has different hobbies than you, that you won't like him. Choose people you don't know as partners for projects or ask classmates about icons, insignias and other decorations that they may have on their clothing or possessions.
Stay organized. Middle school is often the first place you'll have different teachers for different subjects. Keep on top of different classes by having a binder with dividers for different subjects, a date book to write assignments in or different notebooks for each class.
Pay attention to your teachers. Each of your teachers may have very different ways of teaching and different expectations. Be aware of your behavior in each class. Have your assignments conform to the expectations of its respective teacher.
Find time for yourself. Your life can get pretty busy in middle school with larger loads of homework, extracurricular activities and a busier social scene being the norm for many students. Do the things that keep you relaxed, such as spending time with your family or keeping up with a hobby.