<p>I go to a school that might as well be considered a college (a residential high school). Lately, I've been struggling with academics and balancing extracurriculars, sleep, etc. I came here expecting this too. But I feel like I'm behind everyone else. I was top of my class at my old school and coming here, I feel like I'm at the bottom. In majority of my classes, you have to learn the material on your own. The teachers like doing interactive activities during class. I try to visit my teachers during their office hours but I when I come, I hardly understand the material more than I did. They just don't explain it well. I've learned some of the material we're learning now before too. Why am I struggling now when I didn't struggle back then? I guess I'm just asking you for advice. It's been 2 or 3 months that I've been here. I feel like I should've already adjusted. How do you adjust to "college?" How I can learn better independently? How do I balance my time? How do I find time to sleep? I sleep around 3-5 hours a day and crash during the weekends. I don't want to live this lifestyle for 2-6 years, college and this highschool included. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>I never studied in HS so going to a top university was an eye opener. I bought this book called Study Hacks by Cal Newport and also another book about memorization. Both helped me pretty well. </p>
<p>So there are only so many hours in a day… and academics have to be your top priority. So question number one is whether you have too many ECs going. If your grades aren’t up to snuff, I would start there. Figure out what to drop so you can get enough sleep.</p>
<p>Second question is whether there are any other sources of help with your course material. Are there any tutoring sessions offered by older students, any study groups you could join (or form) with your classmates, or any tutoring available for hire? Look into that and try these (more than one if needed). Keep going to teacher office hours as well, though. Sometimes you will get something out of that, depending on the teacher.</p>