I need to make a decision. Sorry, this is a lengthy explanation… What would you do if you were in my shoes?

Question

First off, I’m starting high school this August as a freshman. I live in the suburbs and my new high school is in the city of Chicago. Since my house is reasonably far from the metropolitan area, I’ll have to take more than one train to and from school every day of the week. I can’t help but feel jittery right now… I have never taken the train before, I don’t know the area well enough to navigate the city by myself, it’ll gobble up time in my day, and I’ll have to wake up dreadfully early. My parents think I will adjust to it, and I have the same opinion. Yet I’m still worrying about the train adding a load of stress, especially for someone my age.

Furthermore, I want to join the girl’s tennis team and concert choir, but the “train situation” conflicts with extracurricular activities. Even though the tennis team takes place after school and I’ll return home a lot later than usual, I have no choice but to join the tennis team according to my parents. (I’ve have been playing this sport for a long time; my family is rather serious about it). On the other hand, Concert Choir happens during the school day in replacement of music, and art for the second semester. The first semester I have technology and speech. As a result, concert choir would take away my only free period for half of the year. I really want to take Choir, but my parents think it will add too much pressure since I wouldn’t have a free period anymore. Still, I want to join this activity really bad. Their choir is amazing and one of the best in the state. Likewise, I can do some of homework on my haul to and from school, despite that I wouldn’t have a free period like all the other kids.

Luckily, the teachers told me that I could take speech and technology next summer before sophomore year. My parents, nevertheless, said they are short on money and don’t feel like paying extra to have me take classes in the summer.

So, what would you do? Would you drop Choir to have a free period, take lessons in the summer, or try to deal with choir, tech, and speech all in the same year? (If I take speech and tech after school lets out, I’ll have to get a job most likely to help pay for it.) Please, I’m desperate for any advice…

Please don’t tell me to find a school that’s located closer to me. That’s not really an option if I want a decent education.

Answer 1

well because of money i wouldnt advise doing classes in the summer. i never had a free period ever, and i honestly dont know anyone who did, so i think you could just take choir and tech and just not have free period.

as far as tennis, if its possible try to wait until second semester, then you have first semester to make sure it wont be too much for you. chances are you'll be doing homework on the trains, so you will get most if not all of it done by the time you get home.

try to take the trains a few times before school starts, then you will be more confident when school starts.

Answer 2

Travel on the trains a lot before you go back to school. That way, you'll know your way around easier.

If you are having trouble getting your homework done the first semester, get a job and take the class later. If not, take them all.

Answer 3

This is a tough decision to make. From the sounds of it, taking summer classes is not a good option for you or your family.  It sounds like you will probably be playing tennis in the summer, and you should also enjoy it.  

Generally students do not make the most of a free period but spend it socializing.  I would try taking a full load.  During the first week, I would decide whether it was going to be worthwhile and if I was committed to doing all of the work.  If not, drop choir and add a free period.  Your counselor should allow you do that.

Also, if you are nervous about taking the train, why not ride it a couple of times with somebody else.  I would ride it during the times you would normally be riding it.  You'll get familiar with the area and the ride.  

Good luck!

Answer 4

Ok, so here is what I think...

Taking the train is a scary option in this day and age. If your parents somehow think you will be safe, then I guess that is your parents decision. The train could become a way to study in the morning to help with your study time since you will be having tennis practice after school. Please, please find someone to travel with.

As far as tennis is concerned. You need to do what YOU want to do. As a teacher, I so often see parents push their kids too much to do things they don't really want to do. However, if you do want to play tennis, then do it! It will be hard, especially in Fall and Winter, to come home at nearly dark on most nights. This worries me about safety as well.

Now about choir... having it as a music class makes it a lot easier on you. Choir will obviously have after-school and evening practices and performances. I am not sure if having a free period is all that helpful. I am not familiar with a school giving a free period to students. Just try to forget about the free period and maybe met up with some people in your same situation.

Keep this in mind most of all... High school is much harder than junior high. I don't think that the activities you mentioned will be all that difficult for you. However, once you get there, there might be even more clubs or teams you want to participate in. Keep an open mind and an open line of communication with your parents... all they want is you to be happy.