Hello everyone, 11th grader here! My school offers cross country for the fall, which begins next week and goes to the end of November. If I join cross country, I would have to go to practice everyday for two hours after school, and sometimes practices take place on weekends as well. I also have the option to practice violin after school. My music teacher said if I can get to the advanced book this semester, it is possible that I can be put into orchestra next semester.
It is kind of hard for me to decide because I think I may need cross country since I did not do any sports for two years already. However, I also cannot resist the temptation of music and the idea that I will be in orchestra next semester. It will be impossible for me to join cross country and practice violin at the same time since I have three APs, ACT and clubs to take care of, which should I do?
:)))
It really depends what you like more. Sports are NOT a must for college admissions… someone in my school got into a very good college without playing any sports their whole year. I am a Sophomore (beginning in less than a week…) and last year I did cross country during the fall. Practice was 2:00 to 5:30 most days and on meet days longer. I also play an instrument so I couldn’t practice much.
This year I am deciding to drop XC because I was not very good at it and I have much more passion for music than sports. Hope I helped!
well, it really depends on the rest of the baggage that you didn’t specify…I did XC and 2 seasons of track (ran all year) with 2 instruments and 3 clubs, about 50 hours of volunteering. XC was from 3:15-6:00, and I was able to get my homework done, but was not able to practice my instruments for an hour every day like I used to be able to before XC.
I think it is very possible (I did it, and will do XC next year, no track though), but since you have APs and are a junior, you have to manage priorities. I don’t think you should join XC just to have a sport. XC requires tons of work, and for me at least, it is a fairly non-flexible 6 day a week commitment. It is one of the most time consuming sports. If you don’t love it, you just shouldn’t bother. Work on developing your other ECs better. I don’t know many people starting in 11th grade, but I think it will be harder to start late because the expectations are higher and you sound like you have not run much before. Unless you have a natural ability, XC will be equivalent to just being a member of a club if you just start and do not have great times. I think if you become better at violin, it will look better and you will enjoy it more.
Don’t do ECs you won’t like, especially sports…it will be torture and you will end up with nothing but dread
^agree. XC is very time consuming. That said, my kids do it, they volunteer 2ce a month and do piano daily with weekly lessons. My oldest just finished 3 APs and ACT season. So it doable, but then, they love XC. If you don’t focus on something you do love. Seems you answered your own question! Good luck!
@LushLillies@HRSMom
Thank you guys so much. I have decided. I am going to focus on violin, and if I have time after the first semester, I will consider joining a sport.