When I was in middle school I think I only had about 1 to 2 hours of hw a day. But now that I’m in high school, I have about 6 to 10 hours of hw a day including extracurricular activities.
How much homework do you have NOT including ECs? That’s a better yardstick for your workload. Obviously you should prioritize homework and grades. That doesn’t mean you have to give up doing the fun stuff altogether.
It takes time to strike the right balance. My daughter finds the first 4-6 weeks of every year always to be the most difficult. Some of it is adjusting to a new pace and schedule. Some of it are teachers who come out of the gates strong, partly because they’re excited for a new year, and because they must set high expectations for their students.
Six hours used for a homework/EC combination is sort of normal for us. Ten happens very rarely. I would definitely consider it an imbalance if 10 is your normal. Teens still need 9 hours of sleep, and that’s a big reach to get, even with a six hour combo.
If your grades are tanking, then you should talk to your parents, your teachers, and your guidance counselor to make sure you are properly placed in the correct levels. They can offer suggestions and reassurance.