I'm sure you guys can help... I am a masters swimmer. Our son is 17, has been a club swimmer for four years, and swims on his high school team. He swims with the senior 1 group, and his practices are 2 hours 45 minutes on the weekdays and two hours on Saturdays. He is a decent, solid swimmer (state but not sectional cuts in numerous events). He is a junior in high school and is currently taking five AP courses (his decision, not my husband's and mine). His grades are good and he works hard.
Recently, he has been feeling a lot of stress due to his workload in school and swimming. He told me last night that swimming isn't fun any more. He says he thinks he still wants to swim club, possibly at the senior 2 level instead, and still wants to swim high school. He actually isn't sure he even wants to drop to a less demanding group; he isn't really sure what to do. While I think his academic load is part of why he is stressed, I know that constantly staring at a black line for hours is playing a large part as well. Aside from being supportive of him and encouraging him to talk to his coach (who is my coach as well, which could possibly complicate things), is there anything I can do to help? I don't want to be one of "those" parents, but I want to do what is best for my son. Obviously I would like him to stay in the senior 1 group, but I'm not the one swimming there. His coach knows him well, as he has been with this coach for four years. Part of the issue is that our son doesn't want to let his coach down. I know it is his call, and I'm trying to stay as objective as possible.
I'm sure many of you experienced swim burnout as a teenager. Any suggestions you can give are much appreciated.
Kristin
Not sure why guidance counsellors always push AP courses. It seems like there is plenty of time to take advanced courses in college and graduate schools. Bottom line: if you are a good enough swimmer, you can get into any university.
I never found swimming fun as an age-grouper. I think to be good at anything takes work (2 per days) and becomes like a job. I think in anybody's world it is hard to call 15-20 K per day fun.
Obviously, your student needs to back off on the swimming or the school (or you can go the tough love route and call him a ***--kidding :))
All true. And I know someone with very average grades who just got into Columbia.
As for the first sentence, though, colleges do look very closely at the difficulty of the classes you are taking. Sometimes that can make the difference as to whether you get into a particular school, I am told. Still, 5 AP classes seems a bit excessive.
Not sure why guidance counsellors always push AP courses. It seems like there is plenty of time to take advanced courses in college and graduate schools. Bottom line: if you are a good enough swimmer, you can get into any university.
I never found swimming fun as an age-grouper. I think to be good at anything takes work (2 per days) and becomes like a job. I think in anybody's world it is hard to call 15-20 K per day fun.
Obviously, your student needs to back off on the swimming or the school (or you can go the tough love route and call him a ***--kidding :))
All true. And I know someone with very average grades who just got into Columbia.
As for the first sentence, though, colleges do look very closely at the difficulty of the classes you are taking. Sometimes that can make the difference as to whether you get into a particular school, I am told. Still, 5 AP classes seems a bit excessive.
