Dear Worried,
Starting middle school can be scary, but it can also be a great opportunity to make new friends, to become more independent, to join interesting clubs. Find out as much as you can about your new school. Are there special classes you can take that weren't available to you in elementary school? Are there sports you'd like to try? Looking forward to an activity might help you feel more excited than scared.

Visit the new school if you can. Becoming more familiar with a new environment is one way to take away some of the fear. Just finding out where the bathrooms, the lockers, and the auditorium are will help you feel more comfortable. Also talk to kids who are a year older than you and find out how they've managed to make it through the first year of middle school.

Dear Worried,
When I switched schools mid-year, I found these tips helpful:

1. Talk to other kids who have been in your new school and can fill you in on important details about it.
2. Talk to your parents—they might have some helpful tips of their own.

Good Luck!