Math Anxiety and GPAs?

yerdua
Tue, 19 Nov 2013 20:54:43 +0000

Hi, so I’m a high school sophomore girl, and in freshman year I took the second-best math track available (Algebra 2 HH, but taken in 3 semesters instead of 2.) That year, I got all A grades except for a B in Algebra since I’m not the greatest at math. This year, I’m taking all of the hardest classes available to me (high honors courses and APUSH) and because of the special 3rd-semester of the Algebra 2 class I’m taking 7 am 0 period gym to accommodate both that course and Geometry HH. I’m doing fairly well and getting all As except in Algebra 2, where I had an awful first quarter. I ended up with a D mostly due to test anxiety, and I’m almost certain that I’m getting a C for the year (my first ever.) I know it isn’t the end of the world, but I’ve been more stressed out than ever before, and I’ve started to hate school. The anxiety is all coming from me; my parents genuinely just want me to be happy.

I have 2 questions. #1: Does anyone have tips on dealing with anxiety/stress and incorporating more free time to read books for pleasure, play video games or watch movies again without feeling guilty about not focusing on studying (which is something I feel like I could always do more of)?

2: Will colleges pay more attention to the C or my overall GPA? I don’t want to go to Harvard like some people on here, but as of now I like and am researching schools like Barnard, Wellesley, Pomona, NYU, Scripps, UChicago, etc…am I immediately out of the running in those tiers? I’m involved in other things (volunteer work, model un + other clubs, Latin Honor Society stuff, I want to start my own club, etc) but I feel like I don’t necessarily have a unique quality that can separate me from that bad grade.

Thanks to any replies, I’m kind of upset right now :(