<p>So I really really want to get into UPenn thus I cram a bunch of hard classes to make my schedule look impressive although I am not sure I can handle this much. For the summer before my sophmore year, I am training to join track team while also study for AP micro virtually, study for SAT/ACT, and find a place to work. This is my sophmore schedule for the 14-15 school year:</p>
<p>Course Name
ENG 2-PRE IB
IB PRE-CALCULUS
PHYS 1-IB
ADV PL EURO HIST
SPANISH 4-B-IB
ADV PL MACROECON + ADV PL US GOVT/POLIT( I have to take both, switching each day)
ADV PL STAT</p>
<p>Is this too much for a 10th grader to handle ? I am not a straight A's student but I only have 1-2 Bs per schoolyear. I am in noway a genius but I am alright. UW GPA is 3.8/4 and weighted is 4.6/6(weighted is low because my pre-ib classes only worth 5 point max)</p>
<p>Do what you can handle. You seem to have a good read on your limits, so you’re the judge of that. </p>
<p>I think it’s more impressive to get good grades and make great relationships with teachers even if you don’t have the most advanced schedule than someone who is doing all AP/IB courses but barely surviving. </p>
<p>But if you know you can get the grades and succeed in the classes while also balancing your ECs and scoring well on the ACT/SAT then by all means go for it. Reflect back on the difficulty of freshman schedule and your freshmen activities on how you fared in that workload. </p>
<p>You know your own limits better than anyone else. A good balance imo is more important than stressing you out to the breaking point. Do what you can handle and make sure you have time for ECs, sleep, and a social life. If you are not sure, drop one of the classes that seem to be giving you the most stress and take an honors or equivalent course. It won’t be beneficial to you if your grades drop dramatically because of it.</p>
<p>Try to avoid having your heart absolutely set on a particular college. Keep an open mind about college admission. If you are very interested in UPenn, take a Pre-college program to get your foot in the door at the University. </p>
<p>Ultimately you know your limits best. Will you also be working during the school year? Making time for extra curricular and socialization is healthy, and colleges encourage participation in group environments. Are there any classes that make you very anxious? Think about who will be teaching the courses. Maybe talk to a few students that have taken those courses before. I would say challenge yourself the most in courses and areas of study that you excel in. Step down a level in areas you struggle in. Having a strong GPA with ECs will be by far more beneficial than a lower GPA and less ECs. </p>
<p>A main thing you have to keep in mind, especially if you think you might have a very busy schedule is time management. Time managing your assignments and workload will really make things a lot easier for you. With that being said having good study habits will also take you far. I know for me at least I needed to learn appropriate study habits that worked for me. There are many online learning portals that are very helpful. I myself use Exam time. Its an online learning website which offers a variety of services. Many that have been helpful to me where the flashcards and quizzes. When I was younger I would always use paper flashcards in order to study but once I was introduced to Exam time I realized how much easier it made studying. I didn’t have to sit there and write out all the flashcards, instead I can just put it into the website and study from there. Very simple and easy. But again, I really would suggest writing yourself out a schedule and sticking to you. That would be the smartest thing to do if you want to succeed. Especially if you want to get into a top of the line school, grades will be a huge factor and time managing yourself can really make your life a lot easier during this busy time.</p>