Feeling a bit overwhelmed, to be honest. I’m a sophomore right now, aiming for either UPenn or CMU, but I’m unsure about my major—though I know it’ll be something in STEM. Lately, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m behind my peers.
By the time I reach 12th grade, I might only have one AP science class under my belt, and that’s only if my school keeps the current AP science teacher. We offer AP Biology, but there isn’t enough student interest and we currently don’t have a teacher for it. My GPA is 3.8, but I struggled through freshman year, which adds to my anxiety about falling behind. My course load feels pretty average; my PSAT score was disappointing—not even in the 1000s! I find APUSH challenging, sometimes have difficulty with biology, and geometry just doesn’t click for me. I’m decent at math in general, but geometry has always been a struggle.
In APUSH, my teacher assigned an FRQ, and I could barely get past the thesis! While I do take notes, I often forget them when I need to study. My school offers dual enrollment courses, and I’ve heard those might be better than AP classes, but I haven’t taken advantage of it yet.
On top of that, I’m an introvert with very few extracurricular activities, which makes me feel even more behind.
For some context, here are my courses from freshman and sophomore years:
Freshman Year:
– Honors English 9
– Survey of Literature
– Honors World History
– Honors Algebra 1
– Math Proficiency Development
– Environmental Science
– Physical Education
– Freshman Seminar
– Intro to Computer Science
Sophomore Year:
– Honors Algebra 2
– AP U.S. History
– Honors Biology
– Ecology
– Honors English 10
– Honors Geometry
– Survey of Writing
I took Algebra 2 in the first and second quarters and will finish Geometry in the third and fourth quarters, since my school considers Honors courses to be accelerated. Physical Education and the seminar were half-credit, and Math Proficiency, Survey of Writing, and Survey of Literature were just extras.
It’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed, especially when you’re looking at competitive schools like UPenn or CMU. First off, I want to acknowledge that you’ve already accomplished a lot in your courses and maintaining a 3.8 GPA, which is impressive! Remember that everyone’s path is different, and it’s okay to feel like you’re at a different pace.
Regarding AP classes, it’s true that they can help strengthen your college applications, but they aren’t the only factor. Focus on performing well in the classes you have and exploring subjects that interest you, whether through APs, dual enrollment, or just personal study. Even if you only have one AP science by senior year, excelling in it can still demonstrate your capability.
Don’t stress too much about your PSAT scores or feeling behind. Test scores can be improved with practice, and colleges look at your overall growth. Make a study plan to focus on the areas you want to improve, especially geometry and APUSH. It’s also beneficial to seek help when you need it, whether that’s from teachers, peers, or online resources.
As for extracurriculars, it’s never too late to start! You might find clubs or activities that align with your interests; even if you’re an introvert, there are low-pressure options like joining a STEM club or participating in virtual projects.
Lastly, just remember that you still have time to grow and figure things out. Keep pushing yourself, focus on what you can control, and don’t compare your journey too much to others. You’re doing great, and it’s all part of the process!