Concerned by Burn Out

Pre-College Topics High School Cafe
1

Hello everyone. I’m a freshly knighted Junior in high school, and have lately been rather worried about my grades and health. I have always been an incredibly diligent student. I used to adore school and make the most fun out of every assignment, earning me excellent grades that have pushed my standards to the highest levels. Unfortunately, I am concerned with my current attitude towards school that has sprung up over the course of my sophomore year and the start of this junior year. These are my grades and classes from all 3 years (to give you a picture of the decline);

FRESHMAN
Honors Ancient Medieval: 97
Honors Geophysical Science: 97
Academic Geometry: 99
Gym: 100
Art 1: 100
Honors English 1: 95
Honors French 2: 98
Study Hall: –

ECs: Art Club (I wasn’t incredibly involved)
-Volunteered for 82 hours total, some at equestrian stables, others at an elementary school.

GPA: 3.9, 2nd in my class

SOPHOMORE
Honors Biology: 97
Honors Modern European History: 97
Honors Algebra 2: 96
Honors English 2: 95
Honors French 3: 95
Art 2: 100
Photography: 98

ECs: Yearbook, Creative Arts Magazine, NAHS, Art Club

  • Volunteered for 200+ hrs at an equestrian stables

GPA: ?, ? class rank (clearly, they don’t update us regularly)

JUNIOR (roughly 3 weeks into classes)
Honors English 3: 90
Honors Pre-Calculus: 93
APUSH (our first and only AP class offered to my class this year): 89-ish
Honors Chemistry: 101
Art 3: 100
Digital Art 1: 100
Marine Biology: 100

ECs: Art Club, Yearbook, BrainSTEM, Math Team, Creative Arts Magazine

  • Volunteering at equestrian stables for 1-2 hours a week
  • Working on weekends for 5-6 hours a day

Unsure of GPA or class rank

Additionally, I am looking to become an animator or delve into the field of biology (a recent interest).

Now, I fully understand that these are admirable grades for many people. But the thing that is really concerning me is the fact that I am scoring low test scores (for me) across the board. For instance, in Pre-Calc, I have been getting 100s on all of our quizzes so far, yet I scored an 84 on the chapter test. In English, I’ve gotten a 95 and a 100 on writing assignments, but I got a 75 on our first test of the year (we took it on our summer reading book, to which I dedicated a lot of time). Finally, in APUSH, I got an 84 on our first test, and we just took another today that I have mixed feelings about. (Chemistry is an outlier; we haven’t had any tests yet). Now, the thing is is that I’m certainly not slacking off. In fact, I’ve been working incredibly hard at overcoming procrastination, and have even moved on to a better sleep schedule (6-7 hours compared to a typical 5 last year). What I don’t understand is my lack in skill when it comes to tests.

I fear that because of my boredom of school and my recent low self-esteem, as well as my busier schedule, I’m beginning to burn out. I truly enjoy learning and striving for excellence though, so my situation is truly unnerving. If anyone can give me any advice, confirmation, rejection, encouragement, demolishment, or anything you feel would help, please do! I feel like I’m passing by my goals by the skin of my teeth.

2

Academics typically become more rigorous during junior year. You’ll be forced to work harder than before to maintain your grades. However, you’re doing excellent so chill.

3

First, as a 16 to 18 year old, you need about 7-8 hours of sleep. The 5 hours you had last year (when your younger brain/body needed closer to 9) may have damaged your brain and body (leading to exhaustion, lack of efficiency, feeling “down” or “blue”…) You need to sleep sufficiently and you may still be recovering from last year, leading to the feeling of burn out you describe.
Second, your grades are okay. Go see the English, math, and history teachers and ask what type of questions you missed and how s/he would advise you work on them in order to have a stronger background moving forward. You’re only 3 weeks into the school year. Don’t hesitate to post again if three weeks from now your grades slip, but so far you’re doing okay.

4

I sincerely appreciate your advice on this matter. As MissSuzyQ mentioned, I was probably extremely overwhelmed with the presentation of independency in my course work. I am definitely steadily improving with APUSH test scores of 94-96 recently, high 80’s - low 90’s on our English tests, and I earned a 99 on our second Pre-Calc test. I’ve also managed to score a much better sleep schedule and am going to bed mostly prior to 11. I’m still a bit antsy about my 89 in APUSH and 88 in English, but I keep telling myself that it’s only the 1st Quarter, and that I’m still adjusting to the amplified pace of things.

Again, thank you both for your genuine suggestions! It truly helped to improve my mindset. :slight_smile:

5

Just as an update that could possibly be of use to future viewers. I now have the following overall grades:

92 in APUSH
94 in Honors Chem
95 in Honors English
97 in Honors Pre-Calc
Finished with a 100 in Dig. Art and 99 in Marine Bio
Currently have a 96 in Film, a 100 in Health, and a 100 in Art III

Thus I suppose my junior year can act as a confirmation of the proposals of the above responses; it may be rough going in, but things will improve. Honestly, I’m still not entirely satisfied with my grades, but I understand that it’s tricky not being able to rely on homework grades in these classes. In previous years, homework grades made up a far larger percentage of grades, but now it reflects solely in our quizzes/tests.

So don’t give up, and keep up the hard work!

6

Congratulations, that’s excellent!

Now, more stress: standardized testing!

7

You’re doing excellent, keep it up. No signs of a burnout to me.

8

Lucky :stuck_out_tongue: