Top Tips for 8th Graders - Top Tier Admissions

A smooth transition from 8^th grade to high school sets the tone for the following four years. Students who hit the ground running, do well in honors-level courses, establish strong relationships with their teachers, dive into high-impact “extras,” and plot out a strategic four-year plan (including testing, courses, and summers) are set up for a more successful, and less stressful, high school experience. This success, confidence, and track record will ultimately translate into stronger college applications.

Our Private Counseling program for 8^th graders focuses first on helping our students identify their academic interests as they develop a strong scholarly and extracurricular profile. We prepare our students to launch into high school with a clear plan and solid foundation including course planning and crafting a strategic summer. For students applying to private secondary school, our counseling program includes all aspects of this application process as well.

Eighth grade is a critical time to thoughtfully address the following three areas:

1) Time management & organization 2) Reading & vocab, and 3) Achievement & acceleration

Above all, we help our younger students cultivate curiosity, advocate for themselves, and engage authentically with their interests.

KEY TIPS FOR 8^TH GRADERS

1. Time Management & Organization

Take stock of how you are organizing your time, your workload, and your after-school commitments.
Create systems and thoughtfully use the hard copy and digital tools at your disposal.
Start with the most important assignment. It’s tempting to begin your after-school work with a quick math worksheet or Spanish verb conjugations. While you’re still feeling fresh, however, you should dive into the more complicated tasks that require focus (like essay outlines, research, or test prep). Your (tired) future self will thank you.
You need a homework notebook. This is a tool to keep track of your daily assignments and look ahead to upcoming projects, tests, and obligations. We also suggest finding a calendar-style planner to gain a better sense of your monthly goals and assignments. Before you go to bed each night, review the planner so you remember what the next day has in store.
Create an organized workspace where you can focus without interruptions. Put your phone on do not disturb and try to engage fully in the task at hand. Technology interrupts your work flow!
Ask for help. Your teachers are there to help you set goals and support your academic progress. Don’t be afraid to seek them out for extra help or to clarify assignments.

2. Reading & Vocab

The very best thing you can do to strengthen your critical reading skills is a rigorous reading program. A commitment to voracious reading will naturally push up your critical reading score and help you do better on tests overall. It will also make you a stronger writer and a more interesting person. Be sure you read a wide range of texts—nineteenth-century novels, long-form journalism, history books, classical literature, etc.—to expand your vocabulary and comprehension.
Set a timer and read for 30 minutes each day. Use a highlighter to note the words you don’t immediately recognize and then, once you’ve reached the end of the 30 minutes, go back and look up the words you highlighted. In addition to standard definitions, we suggest incorporating this online resource, which includes etymologies.
Participate in monthly vocabulary challenges via The New York Times throughout the school year. Likewise, from June 10-August19, middle and high school students are invited to enter the newspaper’s annual Summer Reading Contest, an opportunity to read and reflect on a recent article.

3. Achievement & Acceleration

8^th grade is the perfect time to take concrete steps to accelerate ahead in STEM fields and foreign language, especially if your school uses placement tests to determine initial course levels before freshman year. Consider taking Geometry over the summer so you can begin high school in Algebra 2 and be on track to take AP Calculus BC junior year. Some schools require students to take Biology, Chemistry, and Physics before they’re eligible for an AP-level science. By completing one of these science courses early, you can secure an extra AP on your transcript junior year.
Take an ACT or SAT to gauge your baseline score. Since any standardized tests you take while in 7^th or 8^th grade do NOT go on your permanent record, there is no risk. This is a great chance to identify and address any weak areas.
Take advantage of contests to prove your aptitude on a national scale. For math, there’s the American Scholastic Mathematics Association Competition, the American Regions Math League, the Bay Area Math Olympiad, and American Mathematics Contest (AMC), among others. The Intel International Science and Engineer Fair should be a goal for science-focused middle schoolers.
Commit to the activities that you enjoy most and carry this leadership and skill set with you to high school.

For more ideas and advice, check out our Top Tips to Accelerate Learning in Middle School and Top Tips to Maximize Middle School Success. Ready to get a head start? Contact us to learn more about Private College Admissions Counseling for 8^th graders.

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Dr. Elizabeth Doe Stone

CEO at Top Tier Admissions

Liz is CEO of Top Tier Admissions. A graduate of Dartmouth College and a Fulbright Research Grant recipient, she earned her PhD in Art History from the University of Virginia, where she received the university’s highest teaching award. With decades of experience in education, Liz brings deep insight into the evolving college admissions landscape and the pressures facing students today. She is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes, where she covers admissions trends and the shifting world of higher education, helping families approach the process with clarity, calm, and intention.

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