Hi, I’m a junior attending private school who is taking their SAT soon, but I had some questions regarding the balance between extracurriculars and grades. Between 9th and 10th grade, I took nearly all Honors classes and got 2-3Bs each semester which for my school is fairly average with that workload. However, in Junior year, I went from taking 1 AP class (in 10th grade) to 4 AP classes. I thought I could handle this workload, but time has shown that assumption to be wrong. I am involved primarily in two after school activities - I am heavily involved in a FIRST robotics team where I help make a lot of the major decisions and help lead the team. It’s something I’m super dedicated to and really enjoy. I also lead my own rocketry team who is developing a miniature hybrid rocket engine with the help of some mentors. However, within the last month, my grades dropped dramatically and for a short period of time I had a C and an F. I freaked out and basically told my mentors on the robotics team I couldn’t come for a while to focus on school, and although I’m working my way back up to having Bs again, I’m extremely worried about Spring semester which is during the FIRST Season. During the fall ,we did do a lot of work, but still no-where near the season-level of work. I’m stuck considering whether or not to drop doing robotics, because, even though its one of the most enjoyable things I do, I cannot get Cs and Fs in classes, it’s not acceptable. Any advice on how I can make this situation better?
Drop robotics or rocketry. Grades first.
Stay with FIRST Robotics since you’re important to the team.
Put Rocketry on pause, since it’s self initiated you should be able to resume the activity once your grades have gone back up.
Remember that Junior year is very busy and plan to take fewer AP’s next year.
What’s your current schedule?
What are you hoping to take next year?