PAGE 25 KIDZ CONNECTION theconnectionsnj.com Middle school is a lot different than elementary school. Probably everyone who has made the transition can agree. You get opportunities to do sports and clubs, you can sit at lunch with whomever you want, and you get to switch classes. There is one more thing that makes middle school different from elementary-lockers. Your locker is your own personal storage room in school. Now, there is no wrong way to organize and use your locker, but there are certainly ways that are more effective and efficient than others. Throughout sixth and seventh grade, people have always told me that my locker is so organized. Many have asked how I keep it that way for the whole year. The trick is you have to be committed to keeping it organized. Now, you are probably thinking, “Why do I even need an organized locker?” It really helps because you can find things more easily and quickly. Another benefit is that during locker cleanout, which is before winter and spring break, you can get done a lot faster. Also, it helps because at the end of the year, your locker becomes easier to pack up since there is no excess clutter. Here are my tips on keeping a well-organized and functional locker. First, instead of one shelf, I have two shelves in my locker. You still could make it work with just one, but I find two is much easier. Second, each shelf in my locker is designated for a particular use. It might be notebooks, folders, or other things. Also, do not be afraid to use the bottom of the locker, it gives you even more area to put your stuff. The top shelf of the locker is good for small things, like pencil cases or a water bottle. Another piece of advice is to use the hooks. I put my lunch box on one, my jacket on one, and my backpack on the third. With the backpack, you kind of need to wedge it in the locker. Backpacks are prone to getting caught in the locker so be careful. Before you close your locker, check for straps sticking out so your locker door does not get stuck. Something else I recommend is putting papers in a folder. Loose papers very commonly clutter lockers. Another big thing is to never leave food in your locker overnight. The next day, you will find bugs, which is not fun to clean out. My final suggestion is to enjoy styling your locker and make it yours! Put up some decorations! Have fun! Lockers can be really exciting for both people who are new to middle school or even for people who have been there for a year or two. I hope you take my advice, whether you are brand new to having a locker, or if you are looking to make your locker more organized and your own! Riya is an 8th grade student at Warren Middle School. She is a competitive dancer at Rising Stars Studio of Dance and her favorite style of dance is tap. Riya also enjoys listening to music, swimming, and creative writing. She is very excited to share her ideas for school organization as she starts her 8th grade year. Locking Up Organization Throughout sixth and seventh grade, people have always told me that my locker is so organized. Many have asked how I keep it that way for the whole year. The trick is you have to be committed to keeping it organized. TEEN VOICE By Riya Ramani
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