Considering dropping AP English Lit—Advice Needed, Please

OK well that seals the deal. That is a lot to deal with. Dropping one AP will not significantly hurt your admission chances. Rigor will be looked at for all 4 years. It’s not like you are going from say from 3APs Junior year to 0 senior year…one class is not going to make a difference.
Have a great year and good luck with your projects!