<p>I'm a rising sophomore, and I've been doing ballet since I was 4. So, I've been doing it for 11 years. I'm pretty good at technique, but not exceptionally good or anything. However, I'm dreadful at remembering combinations. I literally can't do it, and it's not just a focus thing (my mom can't remember combinations either). It's holding me back in getting better. Also, freshman year (7 hours a week of ballet), I missed class a lot because of other EC's and general tiredness and homework, and also because I hated my class. As I turn spacey and introverted and not like myself during class, they don't like me very much and I feel unhappy and left out during class. I don't like them either much, and they're not the type of people I would make friends with at school. I really like pointe (dancing on your toes), but it's doing bad things to my ankles, which have become much worse since I started pointe. I have a love/hate relationship with ballet, often hating it but loving it as well at times. Recently, it's been a lot more hate and a lot less love. Watching professional dancers doesn't make me passionate and inspired like it used to. You can say that I lost my passion for it. Also, I'm not sure that I'll have much time for it next year, seeing as I'm taking all honors/AP.</p>
<p>The thing is, it's a pretty good EC, and I was counting on it. Never before this year did quitting ballet come to my mind. I'm on track to become Pre-Professional by junior or senior year, and the graduating Pre-Professional seniors from my ballet school routinely get into great colleges. I also don't plan on ever becoming a professional dancer. My other EC's aren't that great: an a cappella group, some clubs, piano, and tennis (not tennis team). I also plan on starting voice and maybe guitar lessons. I no longer enjoy ballet, but I don't really remember life without it (I know it would feel like something is missing), and without it my EC's become worse. It feels a bit like a waste to quit after 11 years. What are your opinions? Should I quit?</p>
<p>Not an expert, but it sounds like you have lots of ECs. Why would you keep doing something you don’t enjoy. You have at least 2 more years before college…have some fun in high school and do what you want to do. It’s ok to keep college in mind, but don’t do an EC just because you think it’s a “pretty good EC”.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I think that everyone needs a break from something. I know people how have loved band, but just needed a mental break to get themselved rested and realize life outside of band. Just take a break for now and see if you have any feelings about not doing it. If you feel that you could do better things without ballet, then quit. Since you have done it so long, I think that it would be bad to quit. Just take a break (probably 1-4 months) and just relax and see what your feelings are.</p>
<p>This is a tough one. It IS a great EC to have on your college app, but this should definitely not be the reason that you’re doing it. It’s a lame reason actually. You should do what you love to do in life. It wouldn’t be a waste of 11 years, because you did what you loved to do. I say, if you continue to feel this way for a few more weeks to a month, then quit. Find something you will love to do. </p>
<p>And trust me, your ECs aren’t that weak. Mine are debate, tennis (recreational… hopefully making next year’s team for sophomore year), and piano. </p>
<p>Hope this helps. :)</p>
<p>I really did enjoy it for a while. And I was like, “oh, this is actually a good EC!” when I started thinking a bit about colleges. But then I stopped enjoying it. And I don’t want those 11 years to be a waste. But I also don’t want to keep doing something I don’t enjoy… I don’t know >.<.</p>
<p>My only real passion/thing I’m really good at is singing and chorus. That’s what I love to do, but it’s much weaker than ballet. And I don’t even have any formal training in singing…</p>
<p>If those 11 years are waste, then so be it. If you don’t enjoy it for another month or so, then quit. Don’t force yourself to do something you don’t want to do. Take a mental break like the above poster said. Relax a little bit. You have to give some things up to realize better things.</p>
<p>I’ve technically taken a mental break for a month, since it’s summer now. I still don’t know… and I’ve been contemplating quitting since about January, so it’s not really a new thing. </p>
<p>If I asked myself why I’m doing ballet 2 years ago, the answer would be that I like it and performing.</p>
<p>If I asked myself now, the answer would be “because I’ve been doing it so long.”</p>
<p>Ruined feet and ankles can last a lifetime. Would consider trying ice skating, modern dance, or rhythmic gymnastics? Or is there another studio you can try? Not sure in what context you could do it, (maybe a school production?) but maybe your talent is in choreography vs. learning someone else’s steps?</p>