<p>What can I do? I feel like I'm living my life for colleges, yet it isn't enough.
I'll bluntly explain my high school situation for background info. I apologize for the detail overload, here. :( </p>
<p>Currently, I'm a second semester junior.
I attend one of the most rigorous college prep schools in the country, having gotten in with a perfect application score.
However, I had a rocky start to high school, although I was able to hold myself together until this year.<br>
All of my classes are and have been at the AP or honors level (aside from 2 years of P.E.), AP grades being weighted at a 6 and honors at a 5 (as opposed to regular - 4). The highest semester GPA one can possibly achieve with my course-load is around a 5.2. </p>
<p>This year, I threw myself into a coursework overload thinking that it would improve my GPA. My plan backfired on me. It isn't that I'm not smart enough, but physically, it's too much at this time.
I've had problems at home. The aftermath of family deaths has greatly affected my life. My mom has been sick too, and I've had to take short periods of time out of school both this year and prior. Being half of a low income household, I worry about our financial situation every day. I have been so stressed that the day before finals I ended up in the emergency room with sharp chest pains.
During the week of finals, I had two breakdowns.
I sincerely love to learn, but I'm not happy anymore. It feels unhealthy.
All 3 years have been a disaster, and my academic performance has been atypical of me. If only I had a clean slate, I know things would be different, but last semester I almost had straight Ds. I hit rock bottom. </p>
<p>I am involved in numerous extra-curricular activities, and can confidently predict a 2000 minimum on the SAT, although I am aiming for much higher. I have been studying whenever possible, and my goal is to take practice tests until I can consistently achieve a 2400 on them. </p>
<p>Only my GPA is keeping me from the top universities. How can I redeem myself? Are there any ways I can start anew?
I feel like I'm screwed. I am definitely not a quitter. I want to try, but I don't know what I'm trying for. </p>
<p>If anyone can offer any guidance, thank you.</p>
<p>I believe it was 3.9W prior to last semester. That would be slightly over 3 UW.
However, this semester by itself was 2, landing me at around 3.2W.</p>
<p>Hey. Im in a really similar situation as you are, except maybe a little less severe. One of my close friends died and caused a slight slip in grades, which led to more depression and more drops. Basically, my 1st quarter was good, but my second quarter got killed. I ended up with 3 B’s which is atypical of me, and although it isn’t as bad as your situation, we’re on the same boat. What I did was I explained the situation to my teachers. The three classes I got Bs in are all ap classes. I basically made a deal with them that if I can get a 5 on their ap exams, they’ll move points from my second semester to my 1st semester. So if I can get A+ (which isn’t that far-fetched, I had 100s in the classes before 2nd quarter) for second semester and 5s on the ap exam, I would be set. I think if you asked your teachers, they’ll be even MORE inclined to let you have the same deal I have, since it is a D and you YOURSELF are physically ill.</p>
<p>There are second chances. Community college for 2 years and then transferring is the too one. A top grad school is another. Or you my find you’ll do just fine in the world after attending a non top collgege.</p>
<p>You need to go talk to a guidance counselor right now about how you are feeling. Chest pains in the ER at age 16? That is as dramatic a signal as your body can give you that it’s time to make some changes in your life. You may need time off. You may need a reduced courseload for a while. You make need to retake some classes. But all of that is secondary to your health issues and keeping your head straight. </p>
<p>No you are not screwed. There are kids sitting in juvie right now and they are not screwed either, if they get their act together. But you do need to turn this around and doing more of what you have been doing is not the answer.</p>
<p>It sounds like your challenges last semester were on multiple fronts. How are you doing now physically and emotionally? Can you get some counseling for support?
Did you adjust your course load this semester?</p>