Extracurricular Question

Hello, thank you for taking the time to read this post! I’m currently a junior, I play the trumpet, and I’ve been in band for almost 6 years now. I like playing the trumpet but I’ve disliked band since freshman year when I got a degrading, mean band teacher who makes me feel bad about myself and adds lots of stress to my life, on top of my 3 AP and 1 honors class. I always promised myself I would stay in band for all 4 years of high school (like I’m doing with most of my extracurriculars) to show commitment for college but this year I’ve been struggling with anxiety and depression, and I now realize that I need to start doing things that make me happy. However, I don’t want to disappoint people and ruin my chances at college, what should I do? How badly will quitting after 3 years in high school look?

If you don’t want to be in band, don’t stay in band. Are you planning to spend your life doing things that you do not want to do?

Don’t stay in band if it is making you miserable. One EC activity won’t get you into college or keep you out of college. However, if band is your only activity then you should find something else to do with that time such as another EC or a part-time job . Or perhaps you can find other outlets to continue playing (ex. a band in your community, in your place of worship, giving concerts at a retirement home etc.).