stella8h8chang said:
Okay...couldn't think of a better title, so here goes...
Basically, next year I'm going into year eleven and I have a lot of stuff on my plate...
1. AMus for piano
2. Europe Tour for violin/vocals with my school
3. L's
4. and I breed goldfish
5.
a website
6.
a flourishing LiveJournal
7. and I'm a MSN addict
8. oh, did I mention I'm trying to juggle violin as well?
My parents are sort of worried I'm taking on a bit much...from your experience, what do you think? Could I please get some feedback?
Let's do the glitterfairy equivalents:
1. Dancing (examwork and competitively)
2. Musical (NOT one of the high school variety - go RAPA)
3. L's
4. Sewing (bane of my existence)
5. Inapplicable
6. Inapplicable
7. Fellow msn addict
8. Singing lessons
I personally think that you should be able to either give up, pass on or severly restrict yourself with the website. If you're not getting paid for it... furthermore, I imagine most people write in their journals. If you find yourself too busy one day, then just don't do it... the sky isn't going to fall down on you if *gasp* you don't write in your live journal!!
Many of my friends are currently still in training or did their AMus during Yr 12 (yes, not even Yr 11!!!). I didn't do music, but I did dance (and am still dancing). I also did it competitively, which meant I could easily clock up 10 hrs a week - and that doesn't count all the pre-big-competition vibes that tend to unsettle you for the week before a competition (I do both troupe and solo but with a much greater emphasis on solo eg McDonald's Performing Arts Challenge). I also did a musical production during Yr 11, - based in an area about an hour's drive away from me, I trekked all the way there and back, twice a week for 9 months. It's not something I'd say is for everybody - even though it did have a 9 month rehearsal time it was still a comparatively small show to the one I'd done the previous year. And for the record, I went to a selective school that did not support dancers- not a performing arts school that does support dancers - so I got absolutely no slack from my school whatsoever.
I also was clocking hours for the L's, and as many people have said previously, you really only need to do an hour or so a week. Msn I'd leave - I always have it on when I do assignments or anything... you end up with an msn study group
. As for the sewing, there is always sewing to do at my house... whether it's alterations, or repairs, or costumes (mum was seriously thinking of quitting her day job at one point, there was just SO much to do... stage costumes were absolutely flooding out lounge room and dining room)... and guess who gets roped into doing it...?!?!?!?!!!!
In conclusion:
I managed probably an equal amount as you're going to through Yr 11. But, I would also suggest that you cut down whatever you do. From about 25 hours of dance a week, I cut down to 10 or so, and then 2 or so hours for Yr 12. In other words, I was "only doing" ten hours, which for me was very little. If you're only used to doing 15 hours, then cut down to "only" eight or so.
It really depends on how much you're able to cope with and how good a time manager you are. I found that the regular "stuff" I did actually forced me to do my work when I got it, otherwise it would build up to impossible proportions. It also kept me somewhat sane - I would go absolutely bonkers if I didn't have something outside of school to really pour myself into
And finally, you seem to be significantly smarter than me, so you should have less problems keeping up
But a general rule of thumb - don't think, just do. Yr 11 will be over in a flash. You never really know whether it's too much until you do it, and if you do find it too much, then just drop something. Otherwise, I say hang onto as much as you can - because you REALLY will not be able to do that much next year - you will probably have to cut it into half, at least.
Best wishes!
