<p>NYCKevin: eek! That sucks for you guys. In the two public high school that I have attended so far in CA don’t show averages on our transcript, just letter grades.</p>
<p>Thank you everyone. I do have a good idea of my future. I want to be a scientist and my passion is in earth science/ environmental science. The problem is that all my activities right now that are making me stressful are geared heavily towards that. The current research that I am conducting is related to ecology and has an environmental focus. The after school classes I am taking are research classes that will connect me with some great researchers to work with. I have no control over what classes I take (we have mandatory “electives”), I can only decide which APs I want to register in (this year I am only in one AP but honors everything else). </p>
<p>I will be honest and say that I no longer have interested in the club I am currently presiding over. I want to step down as president but I can’t until next year. But I want to stay because leadership/ being president of a club is great on applications. I don’t feel comfortable anymore making decisions and leading a group of 50 other high school students. </p>
<p>Some of these things like the science research I am doing because I actually enjoy it. I like spending time in a lab and working on a project. I thought I enjoyed other activities, like being a club president, but now realize I don’t and right now I am largely doing it to please college admission officers two years down the road. </p>
<p>I have visited my school’s Stress Management Team (a group of special counselors they have in place because I’m not the only one pulling my hair out right now) and they have suggested decreasing my load and what I take on. The problem is that I don’t know what to drop. Everything that I am doing right now will hopefully lead me to a great college and career and that is what I want.</p>
<p>For earth sciences/environmental sciences, you do NOT have to go to a great college (top Ivy, Caltech, MIT, etc.). You are WAY too worried about getting a “great” research experience as a sophomore in high school. 99% of majors in that field have no research experience whatsoever when they apply to college. You can still get into a good college and go on to a PhD if that is what you really want to do from many colleges further down the scale. Get off the treadmill… If you really want to keep doing the research because you enjoy it, quit the club as soon as your responsibilities are over this year. It could make a good college essay about trying to balance priorities, and realizing that you need to do what you are truly commited to instead of what everyone else expects.</p>
<p>I am looking to apply to top liberal arts colleges mainly, not so much the Ivys. And you’re right – that would make for a really good college essay!! I see myself becoming president of my school’s environmental club, which is smaller and something I can more easily handle, but am worried about how bad it might look to only be president for one year when I have the chance to do it for three.</p>
<p>I don’t think it is an issue. I think students find as they go through high school that their interests shift, and their true interests come to the fore. I think it is fine to step down after 1 year as president. Let someone who loves the club (and the work!) have an opportunity, and focus on what you are more passionate about (environmental club). Especially if you can have a leadership role in environmental club.</p>
<p>And you do not have to go to a tippy top LAC for this major… it does not require a Swat/Amherst/Williams degree to have a successful career. From you original post, it seems to me you might be feeling some pressure from your parents to go to a top school. But a top school might not even be the best one for your major.</p>
<p>I’m not going to sugar-coat like everyone else did. </p>
<p>Deal with it, and man up. Seriously, a 93 isn’t even nearly bad, and I received even 65’s on exams on certain points. You learn from your mistakes. You don’t have it nearly as bad as others. You are way too pessimistic about your grades and you need to cut it out if you want to be happier.</p>
<p>Especially since Junior year is going to be one of the most stressful years along with the first semester of your senior year.</p>
<p>update: Hello everyone, so this thread is from five weeks ago and things have gotten slightly better. My english teacher was very generous and awarded me 10 extra credit points on that test bumping it to an 81, for which I am very very grateful for. However, we just had another test, and I got an 80 on it. I knew I had gotten some wrong but definitely not enough for an 80. This brings my english average down to a 92, or A-. Also in my honors physics class, we had a midterm today. To my dismay, I got a 79 on it, a C+ ; again with this I dont know how I did so bad because I felt the exam was very easy. So my average for physics is now an 88 but if the lowest grade is dropped it will be a 90. The 88 essentially eliminates all my chances of getting into AP Physics B but the 90 makes me borderline for the class (I want to take physics B because if i do i will have taken all three AP sciences by graduation).</p>
<p>I have come to the decision that I will be stepping down from president next year and will probably become the vice president for the club. The thing I am still having difficulty with is getting enough sleep. Still, I sleep at around 1 am and wake up at 6:30 am. Some nights if Im lucky ill be in bed by 12:30 but that is a rarity. Mainly its staying up studying or finishing homework. Any tips for sleeping earlier? SOmetimes I find myself procrastinating/ going on facebook while i should be studying.</p>
<p>Get your self off of the computer…shut it down and go in a different room to study.</p>
<p>I had the same problem the last quarter. As busy as your life seems now, fit in more sleep and more exercise. That’s what I did, and it is truly amazing how much my scores have improved. I always feel refreshed. Also, it is better to study as best you can for a test and get adequate sleep than stay up all night studying. You will be more focused the day of the test and even if you aren’t sure of an answer, it becomes easier to use deductive reasoning. As for the ECs, I’d say pick a few that you really love. My friend is in engineering club, but has no interest in the subject. The only reason she is taking it is because she thinks that it will look good on her college apps, which is a pretty horrible reason. Good luck with the rest of your sophomore year!</p>
<p>I go to an ivy league school. If I could give any advice being here it is that happiness is whats most important. Life stays exactly how you explained it. It is true college is what you make it but the environment here is like the one you have described. I would give yourself a break and realize you are already heading down a great path. Don’t make an Ivy league school your measure of success. I know you are in high school and that is hard to see, but take it from me, fulfill your potential only to the point where you don’t sacrifice happiness. It when you are as successful as you can be and as happy as you can be that you really fulfill your potential as a person.</p>