Find Your Passion as a Middle School Student

Welcome to middle school. At this time of your life, high school, college, and adulthood may seem like a long way off. However, it never hurts to start thinking about what comes next. One way to do this is to find your passion. 

In this article, we’ll talk about what purpose and passion are, how to get started, and answer some frequently asked questions you may have. 

Before diving in, an important message. The passion you discover as a middle school student may not last all through high school, or even middle school, for that matter. Discovering and committing to new things is a rewarding part of the journey we call life. 

Finding Your Passion and Purpose: Why It’s Important

Why is it important to discover a passion and purpose in middle school? The answer has a lot to do with your new environment. For the first time, you can choose electives and sign up for extracurricular activities. These opportunities open new doors and reveal new possibilities. 

Whether it’s a class, extracurricular, or something you do on your own, finding a passion can help you transition from childhood to young adulthood. For the first time, you are 100% in the driver’s seat and can decide how to improve/advance your passion. This is an exciting moment in your life, one you should embrace. 

What Kinds of Passions Exist?

At your age, there are a ton of things you can explore. Options include:

·      Joining a sport or club.

o   Clubs are a great way to get involved and make new friends.

·      Taking an honors class.

o   Taking an honors class in a subject that interests you is a great way to challenge yourself and prepare for high school.

·      Taking up a new hobby.

o   Playing an instrument.

o   Learning art.

o   Writing creatively.

·      Volunteering in your community. 

o   Volunteering is its own reward, but it can also teach you a lot about responsibility. 

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! 

Let’s step back from the specifics for a moment. At the end of the day, you want to choose something that makes you feel happy doing it. That’s what passion and purpose are. 

And no, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to explore different things. 

Now that you have a few ideas, you may wonder, “Well, how do I get started?” That’ll take a little work, but it will be very rewarding.

Step #1: Light the Spark

You probably have a few interests, some small, some big. Finding your passion requires a spark, much like the spark that ignites a raging fire. 

Get out a piece of paper and a pencil and try the following:

1)  List your interests and activities.

a.  1–2 words a piece.

2)  Next to each interest, describe what you like about it.

a.  Write at least one full sentence for each interest/activity.

3)  Next to that, imagine if you got to make your interest into a job. What would that look like?

a.   Try to write a few sentences for each interest/activity.  

When you’re done, read what you’ve written. When you were doing step #3, which part made you the most excited? This imagined future and the feelings of joy it inspires reveal what you’re truly passionate about. 

If you’re really excited about more than one thing, that’s great! But, for now, let’s focus on just one thing.  

Step #2: Fuel the Fire

This is the true getting started step, when you try to do something with your passion. There are a lot of ways to get started. If your passion is an academic subject, you can:

·      Read a book about it.

·      Ask your teacher what jobs use it.

·      Research colleges with majors in it.

·      Read the news about it.

Learning more about your passion is a great first step. You’ll know your material inside and out and have an enjoyable use of your time.  

If your passion is an extracurricular activity or something else entirely, try:

·      Setting a goal.

o   Joining a team, writing a complete short story, learning scales on a new instrument.

·      Dedicating time to your passion.

o   Dedicating at least 30 minutes a day to it. 

·      Researching new ways to grow.

o   Reading about how people your age take their passion and purpose to the next level. 

Dedicating time and effort to your passion has many benefits, such as better time management and organizational skills. These skills can help you excel in high school and beyond. 

Step #3: Fuel the Fire

Let’s keep the momentum building throughout middle school. No matter your passion or purpose, here’s a few great ways to fuel the fire:

·      Research if you can use your passion to apply for college scholarships.

o   Many excellent scholarships for middle school students exist.

·      Start a club at your school.

o   You’ll likely need a teacher to sponsor the activity.

·      Set a long-term goal.

o   What do you hope to achieve with your passion in the next year?

And remember, passions may not last forever. If you feel that you’re running of out steam, it may be time to try something else. There’s no shame in starting over.

Step #4: Consider High School and Beyond

Finding your purpose in middle school can help you plan for high school. Research what clubs, sports, and other activities your high school offers. Also, check whether electives can help you become better at your passion.

When it comes to college, you still have plenty of time to figure things out. Even so, it never hurts to do a little research. See what colleges are known for helping learners with your passion prepare for a meaningful career, or whether their clubs and activities match your interests. 

FAQ

What if I’m too busy with school and extracurriculars?

Yes, middle school is much busier than elementary school. That doesn’t mean you can’t find time to reflect on which activities make you happy. Start small with Step #1 in this guide, as it shouldn’t take you more than 30 minutes. If you can’t jump to Step #2 right away, that’s fine. School comes first. 

How do I get interested in a hobby?

You should have an interest in a hobby or activity before starting it. Don’t force yourself to start anything where no passion or purpose exists. However, be open to new activities, especially those suggested by friends, family, and teachers. 

If you try something new, reflect on how you feel about it after a few days. If you feel ‘bleh’ about the activity, setting it aside and looking for something else is okay. 

What if I have a lot of passions?

First of all, that’s great! It’s amazing that you’re interested in a lot of things. However, there are only so many hours in the day. If you get worn out, you might lose your passion entirely. 

Pick a passion (or two) that interests you the most. Try the following:

·      Write down your passions from ‘most interested’ to ‘least interested.’

·      Wait a day or two.

·      Come back to your list. Do you still agree with the order? If so, focus on your top 1–2 passions. 

·      Keep your list handy if you should lose interest and want to focus on something else. 

What if I feel that nothing interests me? 

There’s a lot on your plate right now, and feeling overwhelmed is entirely natural. This is likely why you believe that nothing interests you. If this describes you, you should know that many middle school students feel the same way. 

You should also know that it’s still possible to find your passion. It may be different than your friends’, and may take a lot of time to master, but the joy it’ll bring you is 100% worth it.