How should I balance my course load to impress colleges?

Hello! I'm a junior, and I'm starting to think about my senior year schedule. I know colleges like to see rigorous courses, but I'm worried about overwhelming myself. How did you guys find a balance between challenging classes and maintaining a manageable workload? Thanks for any advice!

Hey there! It's great that you're thinking about your senior year schedule and how it will impact your college applications. It's important to challenge yourself but not at the expense of your mental health or overall well-being. When my child was in high school, we tried to find a balance by considering the following points: 1) Identify your strengths and passions - Focus on taking challenging courses in the areas you're most interested in and where you excel. 2) Create a balanced schedule - Mix in some less demanding courses to balance out the difficult ones. This can help prevent burnout. 3) Plan your time - Be realistic about how much time you'll need for homework, studying, and extracurricular activities. Avoid overloading yourself with too many commitments. 4) Seek advice - Talk to your school counselor, teachers, or older students about the workload of specific courses. They can help you gauge what to expect and how to balance your schedule. Remember, it's not just about taking the hardest classes, but showing colleges that you're capable of handling a challenging curriculum while still maintaining a healthy balance. Best of luck!