July 21, 2004
A: FROM MENTOR DIANA DIONISIO IN CA
Wow, it seems like you have a lot going for you next year. If you're anything like me though, keeping busy gets me to be more efficient because when I have too much time on my hands and don't have enought to do, I tend to get lazy. I suggest making sure you're not doing too much. Test out the number of clubs you have. You might have to drop some and set your prioroties. Other than that, I like to multi-task. I usually eat lunch or study with a friend so I make time for them. When I study, I take little breaks when I get tired because I learn more. It would take longer to learn things if you're not focused on the material. Good luck next year!
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A: FROM MENTOR BARB KONTOGIANNIS IN CO
Wow, What a schedule! Time management will be important. First I would look at "the many clubs" you have joined. Are they all high-priority interests for you, or just resume padders? Be careful not to spread yourself too thin just to have a full resume. You won't enjoy it or get much out of it, your grades could suffer, and no one will believe you really did it all anyway. Same with the five AP classes - do you need to take them all your junior year? What will you have left to take your senior year? It may be wise to spread them out over two years - you'll be able to devote more time to them and likely even learn more.
That said, if you decide to stick with the very full schedule, be sure to keep up. If you let work pile up, it will be harder to catch up. If you get behind you can very quickly get overwhelmed. Another key to time management with a full load is to do the work in small pieces. Don't start a paper or major project just a few days before it is due. Plan out your activities to make sure you have ample time to complete everything, and juggle the different needs of each course, leaving some recovery time if one aspect does not go as planned. Your key to time management is planning and execution, trying not to procrastinate.
Good luck to you - and have some fun too. If you are not having fun manageing volleyball or participating in the clubs (or even enjoying the AP Class experience for that matter) reasses whether you want to continue with that activity. It's ok to change your mind - be flexible, and set some priorities.
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A: FROM MENTOR BRENDA WOLFE IN CO
Wow Josie! I personally think 5 AP courses is too many. I would spread them out over your Junior and Senior years and have a little fun. In my opinion, it will be difficult to do well in all of them; whereas if you took a couple and really concentrated on them - you would do better on the final test. The goal in taking AP classes is to get a 4 or 5 on the test - so that you get college credit. If you get a 3 or less, you have to take it again anyway. I have been out of school for a while, but I don't think colleges are going to mark you down if you don't take every AP class available. I know I didn't take them all.