<p>I was taking five AP classes this year and had the toughest first semester, which just ended. I was taking AP Chem, Calc AB, Lit/Comp, French Lang/Culture, and Gov/Politics. Out of all those classes, I was having the hardest time in Calculus AB and I think it was because I just did not have time to study for all of them with my extra-curricular activities, as well. Plus, math has always been my worst subject. My grade for the semester was a D. I have never received a D in my life and last semester, I received three of them. (Yep, I'm definitely doomed for some colleges I applied for. I can feel a rejection.) I decided to drop Calculus since I felt it interrupted with my other grades as well. I'd rather drop one AP class than four others. I switched it for second semester of Algebra II/Trig Honors to bump up the C I got in sophomore year -- my teacher didn't teach. However, I've been having this bad feeling like switching out was wrong? I love my Calc teacher, but I am not good at it (only of course, I didn't have the time to cover my classes and she agrees with me that there just isn't enough time.) However, I am also not good in Chemistry and I don't need another science credit, so I don't know why I didn't just drop that. Plus, the fact that I am not emotionally stable hurts me, my family, my grades. Basically, I am confused as to what is better for me. Any advice?</p>
<p>There is pushing yourself in a healthy way and then there is getting in over your head. You are over your head and taking too many AP classes. I think you need to go immediately to your guidance office and talk about your schedule and whatever adjustments can be made at this point to put together a schedule with the level of classes that will yield you a successful outcome. You can also talk to your guidance counselor about what other stress is occuring in your life.</p>
<p>It’s okay to not be a science/math kid. Why not drop Chem and Calculus and focus on areas that you are good at, in terms of AP’s? Even the top colleges don’t expect applicants to be good at everything, and it is also possible that extracurriculars are more important than those 4th and 5th AP’s. And leave time for getting your emotional health stable: too much work can prevent that.</p>
<p>Focus on you first. Take the AP classes that you do well in and drop or take regular the subjects. You also might need to cut back a little on your EC’s. Those can eat up a lot of time if not managed well.</p>