<p>@schwann Thanks for coming again 
Yeah, Music Theory is something I already know about, so if I took it in school, I feel like it’d help raise my GPA. Computer Science is a self-interest. If the workload gets to heavy, then I probably will drop one of those.
6 AP’s? I counted 13… did I count wrong? Yeah, taking self-studied AP tests would be a risk, but I’m willing to work for it. It wouldn’t necessarily be a waste of time, as I plan to study most of the self studied ones during the summer.
The numerous AP classes are mostly to boost my GPA. In my school, we have a different ranking chart for Regular, Accelerated, and AP/Honors, so I need to keep all my classes within the AP/Honors level in order to retain a high GPA.</p>
<p>
Nothing is a waste of time if it’s ethical and makes you happy (genuinely happy, not happy in a short-term procrastinating sense). A lot of people find happiness by learning and using their education to contribute to the world somehow, but you shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that everything will be in the past at the end of your life and all that’s going to matter is whether you were happy or not. </p>
<p>
Don’t be so condescending. You’re growing up, they’re growing up. Twenty years ago the adults we have now were just as stupid and even more racist, and we’ve still gotten pretty far. :)</p>
<p>
What’s all this about? I’ve loved people all my life. Romantic love isn’t the end-all-be-all of anything.
Dating is only problematic if you obsess over it and go out with the wrong people because you feel like you have to be dating someone all the time (really, this applies to regular friends too—you should always be okay with being alone). If you find the right person (not that there’s only one), they can enrich your life and support your goals right now even though you probably won’t be with them forever. </p>
<p>@halcyonheather I know, but I like the motivation, and feeling like I’m wasting time pus me to work. I know that there are kids my age that are way more mature then me, but I’m saying that the people I hang around now are not exactly the brightest of the batch. Haha, I was talking about romantic love.Yeah, I’m probably swearing off dating until I have my degree. Thanks for coming back! :)</p>
<p>@angelacao </p>
<p>Socially, I can guarantee you things get a lot better. I felt the same way my freshman year. Think of this as if you were the first to wake up from some crazy dream. You’re living in the real world but everyone else is still in the crazy one. Each year a few more will join you, and then a good crowd around junior / senior year. By graduation, you could have a solid portion anywhere from 20 to 40 percent. So it really does get better. For both friends and relationships.</p>
<p>On planning, good that you’re aware of it. Just wanted to make sure of that.</p>
<p>On CS, I am completely with you as a CS major. Makes sense. If you fall in love with it, go for it. It is a rewarding and unique activity each day. Keeps you on your toes. And it will set you up well in life too.</p>
<p>From the post as a whole, I understand a bit more why you chose to put so much on your plate. How much you want/feel you need to accomplish is a personal choice, and if you will be happy in this route, go for it! Just know that there is always the flip side. It isn’t terrible to decline some opportunities if you want to prioritize for an example our of many. But, either side is fine. You seem like a clear lifelong academic, and, again, you will find a lot more of those as kids mature. </p>
<p>Good luck, you’re 100% on the right track. Keep it up!</p>
<p>@halcyonheather</p>
<p>I just mentioned it because I think it can change plans completely in a quick second. I would actually advise against looking to date people (if it happens it happens) or looking for love even remotely. But I believe that if you fall for someone, it can really mess with your priorities, and if the person is worth it sometimes it doesn’t matter. More a long term thing than a high school thing. I would agree completely with your advice on how to approach high school though.</p>
<p>A big +1 to
I couldn’t find the exact words for this, this hit it spot on.</p>
<p>I’m in middle school like you. My future high school offers certain courses on VHS- Virtual High School. Could you take an online course as a loophole for the “no-doubling-up” rule? Based on your info, you’ve got what it takes to succeed, and I agree, it’s never too early to start thinking. Pursue that “natural high” of succeeding! (Does every middle school health teacher talk about that/ show the video?!??) :)</p>
<p>@PengsPhils I really do expect a lot out of high school. I’m hoping for more friends, like you said.
On the dating thing… haha this is kind of personal, but I really liked this guy, up until around last week. I was not in love, but something close. But the thing was, he distracted me so much. I would wake up, and he’d be the first thing I’d think of. I took a test in class next to him once, and I LITERALLY could not concentrate until he stood up, finished, and went to the next station. Thank God I’ve gotten over him… he’s much more of a judgmental hypocrite than I cared to see in the beginning. So based off of that experience, I’m sort of turned off by anything related to spending time with someone, doing nothing. I mean, there’s a whole world of people out there.
The thing is, I have never really enjoyed anything. I’ve been good at some things yes, but I only do it as work. So I guess I’m still waiting for that hobby to come along. Thanks for coming back! :)</p>
<p>@DreamingInIvy Yay, another middle schooler! Yeah, my school offers a online course thing too, but only on a few subjects. I recommend talking to your counselor just to make sure that you don’t spend money and effort on a waste. I can’t do the online math thing because my online school doesn’t offer the courses I need. Anyway, one course is around $800, so I’m a little hesitant to take unneeded courses online.
There are so many loopholes! My dad is really excited about high school too, and he has his own little forum with a bunch of other parents that discuss all the loopholes in school regulations in order to take as many courses as possible and to keep up that GPA. My dad personally thinks that P.E. is a little unnecessary, as it lowers your weighted GPA because it is a Regular class. Lol, my health teacher was big on that ‘have natural high and don’t do drugs’ thing.</p>
<p>High school is the perfect time to try a bunch of different activities. I’m sure you’ll find hobbies you like Good luck!</p>
<p>Make sure you know your school’s weighted GPA policy. That burned me real bad going into HS…</p>
<p>@angelacao</p>
<p>No problem. Best of luck finding one. Just keep exposing yourself to different fields and it will find you eventually. From this thread, I think you might enjoy an in depth look at political / moral philosophy if you haven’t done so already. It would at the very least be worth it. Would be good prep for your intended major (for now of course).</p>
<p>@bodangles Haha I hope so! That’s why I’m trying so many clubs And thanks!</p>
<p>@DigitalKing Yeah, I’ve been studying my school’s pamphlet very thoroughly. What happened to you? And do colleges look at weighted or un-weighted GPA?</p>
<p>@PengsPhils Yeah, I’m really interested in politics and society. Thank you! :)</p>
<p>About the APs- I meant that you will only be able to report those 6-7 AP test scores on your college application (you won’t have taken the senior tests yet). I know what you mean about the GPA (same at my school), but just make sure your workload won’t override the GPA boost. In my junior year, I took as many APs as possible but initially struggled so much that my GPA was basically the same as sophomore year in regular/honors classes. </p>
<p>You seem pretty motivated for success though, and seem like you could judge when your breaking point is; my ultimate advice is to take the classes you enjoy (like CS if possible) and always check in with yourself. You mentioned originally that you’re worried about depression- in order to avoid this, do not be afraid to take on a lighter load. Pick classes that will give you that “high” and challenge you, but stay balanced. Experiment, both academically and socially. </p>
<p>I came from a snobby, holier-than-thou elementary/middle school, and transferring to public school was a culture shock (seeing cheating for the first time really shook me-now I’m used to it). My private school friends told me not to make friends with any of these “immature kids” but honestly, I’m glad I made friends at public school. There are some amazing people to be found, and I’m not saying to compromise your integrity or put yourself in dangerous situations (i.e. giving into peer pressure just to fit in), but you can definitely be friends with someone who isn’t a perfect match to your principles. I love my friends; some of us are highly academics-driven and some not, some have gone through multiple boyfriends and some of us have never been kissed. It’s foolish to think people will have a responsible, society-contributing life plan at age 13. </p>
<p>@angelacao Well…
- Accidentally took the Geometry Regular test-out… (i.e. weighted as a non-honors class even though I’m triple/quadruple accelerated now…)
- Took a summer class that was honors (and undoubtedly harder than regular, school honors classes), but school policy weights them at 4.0 instead of 5.0…
- Took gym… lol.
- Took band… (decided to quit, so…)</p>
<p>Honestly, WGPA doesn’t matter much, but I feel cheated out of having class rank 1 (I undoubtedly have the hardest course load in my class, with a 4.0). Whatever.</p>
<p>Colleges look at UWGPA (like the actual number) and WGPA rank. Common consensus around here is that UWGPA > 3.8 and WGPA rank > 10% makes you a strong candidate in most top (not elite though, need a 4.0 in my area!) schools.</p>
<p>@schwann What you said about people my age having a plan… that’s very true.
I honestly don’t know what to expect. I mean, yeah, now I’ll probably tell myself that I’m able to take on whatever work needed. But you never really know until you’re in the position, you know? I can only hope that I really am as hard-working as I think I am.</p>
<p>@DigitalKing Dang! That must’ve been rough. Is gym voluntary in your high school? And my school doesn’t give out class rank, sadly.
So colleges look at both GPA’S?</p>
<p>Purely judging by the sheer size of your post and that you’ll be learning C++ this summer as a 14 year old, you’ll be perfectly fine. </p>
<p>@angelacao It’s not voluntary, but I could’ve “tested out” (i.e. wait until senior year so it doesn’t affect the rank that counts)…
Colleges look at UWGPA and WGPA rank. UWGPA rank and WGPA itself are relatively useless.</p>
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They look at your transcript and your class rank. Unweighted GPA is usually more standardized than weighted, so you should worry more about that, but at the end of the day all high schools calculate GPA differently and they look at the grades and classes on your transcript more than they look at any single number. Weighted GPA only matters for class rank, but if your school doesn’t do class rank you don’t need to worry about weighted GPA at all. Just take the most challenging classes possible and get As in them. </p>