Stress: The Thing That Makes You Want To Choke The Hell Out Of Someone

"It's barely a month into the school year, and I'm already so stressed. I have all of my classes, some of which are Honors-level, and I'm already failing math. I have band, which comes with rehearsals for performances, and I've been selected for pit orchestra for the fall musical. On top of that, I'm part of the school literary club and have chores at home, to say nothing of college applications and graduation tasks to complete. On top of all of that, I also have a job and my mother is urging me to get another job. Everything feels so unbalanced, even with the meticulous schedule I've come up with. What can I do to minimize the stress?"

Whoa there. Let's take a breath now and relax. High school life is complex, especially if you have a job on the side, and you're looking for college; plus the extracurricular cherry on top. Let's take a step back and observe the current situation.
When is too much, too much?

Let's start with the classes. If Honors-level classes are too much work, I suggest you drop down into on-level courses. I realize colleges like to see Honors credits, but if it's to the point where you're this stressed, it's not healthy, and you'll end up insane. Or worse, failing. Dropping down to on-level classes does not make you any less smart. It might just be for work-load relief. If it's too late, then you have to just persevere. You might have to cut back on your social life and doing things you enjoy, such as being on the computer and/or phone and/or TV. You have to get your priorities in order. What's more important to you; grades or fun stuff? I think we all know the answer.
As far as the chores go, there is no way out of them. Your parents are going to make you help out around the house. Money is an excellent source of motivation, but seeing how tight the economy is, that might not work for your family, and you might just have to do the chores for the sake of not getting grounded.
Your job. You want to make money? Stick with it. I don't know what your employment situation is, but I assume you're allowed breaks. On those breaks, maybe work on some of that pesky homework from those Honors classes ;) Try to see if you can adjust your hours to something that bends easier to your needs.
Now for those extracurriculars. Band. Pit for the fall musical. I don't know if this is something you enjoy doing, or your parents are making you do, but chances are, either way, you can't get out. Plus, colleges love them extracurriculars. So the band and such mixed with the job... I can see where that would hurt. Metaphorically, and possibly physically. At the end of a long week, if you can, take a nice hot bath. And if not, a long, hot shower. Then relax with a good book or curled up in front of the TV for some mindless entertainment. Try to get to sleep as early as possible so you're not stressed out the next day.
I hope this helped.

~J*~

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