Want to throw in the towel.

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>So let me explain my situation. My GPA is a 3.1, I've only started this year (junior year) to take AP courses and pick my grades up, my transcript is dotted with C's and one D, my ACT is all right (28 composite), and my extra curriculars are decent, too. So I guess I'm a pretty average student. </p>

<p>About 6 weeks ago my dad was admitted to the hospital for cardiac arrest and has been there since. Things are not looking well, and to put it bluntly, I am expecting him to pass. I spend a lot of my time recently in the hospital visiting him. Among AP classes, mock trial that consumes most of my free time, debate, teen court, etc. etc., I'm severely stressed all the time and sleep for about four hours a night. </p>

<p>A lot of my stress would be gone if I quit Mock Trial. However, I feel like it'll be the saving grace of my college app, for whatever reason. (My MT coach said it looks fantastic on apps and it's an uncommon e.c.) but I'm miserable in it. I hate public speaking and my social anxiety usually gets the best of me; I've gotten made fun of for how I "shake" when I go up to the podium to deliver a closing argument or whatever, and law is just not my profession.</p>

<p>I've been thinking recently that I need to be realistic. It's not like my GPA is a 3.8 UW, AP classes all through high school, E.Cs that I've done for all four years, etc. And there's no way I can measure up to kids with stats like that, so why let it affect me so badly that my health and overall well-being is punished?</p>

<p>Once I get home from spending time with my dad, I just want to collapse on my bed and sleep. I don't really have any motivation at all anymore, and I can't keep living like this. So I think the best thing I can do for me (and thinking of myself first before my frivolous college app) is to quit mock trial and if my grades drop a bit, too, then so be it. Maybe I should go to community college & transfer because my stats are probably a lost cause anyway, so why keep trying to fix something that can't really be improved? (I want to go to UF or UMiami.) I wanted to leave the option open for graduate school, but admissions would see I went to community college for two years, and there goes any sense of competitiveness I had.</p>

<p>I'm sorry for the long post, but I don't really have anybody to talk to about this that truly understands the admissions processes, and I'd like some opinions on what I want to do/if it's the right thing/what I should do. Thank you. :)</p>

2

<p>I don’t think it’s worth it; your health is much more important than your college application. If quitting would de-stress you as much as you say it would, then you should do it, especially because you’re not even interested in law. In my opinion, it’s just another extracurricular; if you don’t like it, there’s no reason to be in it.</p>

<p>Please get some sleep and take more time out of your day to relax. I hope things start looking up for you in the future.</p>

3

<p>First of all, quit Mock Trial if you don’t like it. EC’s are about participating in what you enjoy, not things that add angst and stress. Speak to your teachers and see if they can be more lenient these upcoming quarters (or ask your GC to do it for you). Also, consider joining new clubs/sports. These will surely get your mind off of everything else and help you relax.</p>

<p>On a more positive note, you’re over half way there. Yes, a 3.1 and a 28 aren’t that strong by CC’s standards, but they are both good enough to get you into a 4-yr university. Your ACT score is very strong, and if you bump it up to ~30 you have a great shot at acceptance to either school. Even if you can’t bump it up, you’re in a much better position than you think you’re in. A 28 on the ACT is well above the national average, and shows that your intelligence isn’t accurately represented by your GPA.</p>

<p>Best wishes to you and your father</p>

4

<p>I seriously suggest quitting Mock Trial if it’s like that for you; never do something unless you like it, this is a prime example why. Focus on your grades, forget about mock trial. Get some sleep and relax, and focus on spending time with your Dad too.</p>

<p>I hope he gets better.</p>

5

<p>Quit enough ECs until you’ve freed enough of your time and mental/emotional capacity. You need to succeed in your academic classes before you worry about ECs.</p>

<p>You’re under pressure and have a hard situation to deal with. It’s ok to admit that sometimes all that you have going on is a bit draining and you need to take a break. Do some schoolwork, when you lose your ability to focus, walk away and do something fun (video games, music, reading, driving, hangout with friends etc) until you feel good enough to come back and tackle your work properly.</p>

<p>It’s not all or nothing, there’s no reason to throw in the towel, find a happy medium instead.</p>

6

<p>Awww. I wish your father well. We have some things in common, same GPA, same class year, and both are on the debate team. Mock trial won’t make much of a difference if you aren’t interested in law. Don’t drain yourself. You still have two semesters to increase your GPA and ACT. Prioritize and do what’s best for you and your father not what’s best for your application. Good luck.</p>

7

<p>First thing is, I wish you and your father well. It’s a tough situation, and I think family takes precedence over the other things. </p>

<p>Also, I think it’s best if you quit Mock Trial. If your heart’s not in, then it’s not worth it.
Your ACT is a good score, it can also improve. I think the best thing here is that you’re improving and working hard. We might not all have the 3.8s and above and be the high GPA folk, but if you’re working on improvement, that’s the important thing. </p>

<p>You do, however, need to sleep. You can get into college with a 3.1 and 28, but if you think it’s best to go to a CC, then do so. Follow the options that are best for you. </p>

<p>Also, you can still go to grad school even going to CC. I’m fairly sure that they pay attention more to your last 2 years of college, when you’re in upper divisional courses and opportunities you took outside of the classroom. </p>

<p>But most importantly, focus on you. Don’t give up though, or throw in the towel. Just keep at it.</p>

8

<p>As a mom of a debater, I know how much time that takes. If it ain’t fun, don’t do it! ECs should be activities you enjoy and highlight your interests/passions. There are some good skills learned in debate, but there are good skills learned in other areas as well. You can always come back to Mock Trial if you want down the road, but you will never have your father back if he passes. Do what is best for you as a person. You’ll have the opportunity to explain your situation in your college app essays, as well as your guidance counselor and/or teachers. Don’t let one EC hold you back from your sanity and your family.</p>

<p>Best wishes to you and your family.</p>