Please don’t make high school about getting into college. And when the time comes to think about college, find a school that fits you, rather than trying to fit yourself to a school.
I definitely think the Newport suggestion to avoid overscheduling and overloading is wise. Try to benefit from high school years by exploring your interests and developing any that do develop, as best you can. It is hard to do that if you are spending all your time on homework or spreading yourself too thin. Good luck!