Grades

[TheYF]

Hello my names Dennis, and before I say anything, let me give you some background information on what's going on. One of the sports I play is football; I'm good at it (Running back/Cornerback), and it's one of my favorite activities/sports. In school, I'm 2 years ahead in Math, meaning that if I was in a certain grade, the class I was taking was meant for a grade 2 years above that. Last year, in the first quarter, I was playing on 2 football teams, my Pop Warner team, and my school team. I would go from my 2 hour school practice to a 2 hour practice for my Pop Warner team. (On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.) I wouldn't have much time to do any extra studying for Math, the hardest course for me, and in turn, I was getting D's, a few F's, and some other mixed grades, leading my quarter grade to be a C-. My parents were angry with me, and told me that they may not even let me play football next year. This past summer, before I headed into 8th grade, I took a basic Algebra 2 summer class and managed to get an A in the course once all was said and done. Nearing the end of the summer, I signed a contract with my parents saying I had to get B's or above to play football, and if I failed to do so, I'd quit that season. My mom bought me a few hundred dollars worth of equipment, some of which was for extra safety measures. ($300 helmet, mainly, other items such as gloves and such added up to more.) Now I take Algebra 2 Seminar, a more advanced Algebra 2 course, at the high school. My mom or dad drives me there each morning, and a bus brings me and a couple other kids back. Now, before my first season game, I received a 63% (D) on a test. You can't even understand the amount of anxiety I feel right now, as this one grade may cause me to lose my whole season before it even starts. My parents have put in a lot of money into my passion for football, and I've put in hundreds of hours of practice and even offseason exercises. I've waited 2 days still, and I still haven't told them, and I don't know what to do. Keep in mind, being Asian, my parents also happen to be a lot stricter about grades than my friend's parents. It's my favorite sport, and I feel a passion and drive for it more so than when I'm in basketball or lacrosse season. Any advice is welcomed, thanks in advance.

[Nathan Numberless]

Don't be anxious bro, That always makes things worse. Just stay calm and wait for someone to come with a better post then mine. The people here are very helpful at times.

[xXoblivionXx]

Try to get your grades up, meet with your teacher and work on what you missed. Then tell your parents, if you keep it from them they will get more upset about your grade. Just try to take it easy and work it out. If you like football as much as you say you do, you will probably figure out a way to keep your grades up

[Magical]

You're doing work 2 years ahead?

And they are upset if you don't do well?

That's stupid.

Why are you two years ahead?

[TheYF]

You're doing work 2 years ahead?

And they are upset if you don't do well?

That's stupid.

Why are you two years ahead?

In our school system, we have an honors, than a seminar course for most math courses. I'm in 8th grade atm, and would be taking Seminar Geometry, but in 6th grade, my mom had the school give me a test that put me in the Seminar course the year ahead of what I was supposed to take. So instead of taking geometry this year, I took it last year, and instead of taking Algebra 2 next year, I take it this year. Thanks for the advice guys, it's really helped out.

[May_Star]

I feel you. I'm obviously Asian, and the pressure is overwhelming. I'm not good in Math, hence my Dad's disappointment in me. But anyway, I think you should tell you parents already!! And if your school gives extra credit, work hard for it! You can prove to your parents and teachers then that you are determined to pull up your Math grades, while living your passion.

[DerBear]

You need to start thinking about priorities. Now from your post I get that you love football but you need to think, "what is going to probably impact my future more" and I am sure you'll find the answer.

Football isn't worth giving up the chance at getting good grades you only get this opportunity once in life and these qualifications will likely set you up on the road you need to go on for the rest of your life.

In my opinion a good thing to attempt would be to speak to your teachers and maybe ask if they can give you a little bit more advice and help and possibly set you some homework to help you catch up and stay on top of things.

Second of all speak to your parents and tell them you are struggling to keep on top of everything as if they find out by someone else it could be a lot worse.

I hope things work out for you and try not to panic or dwell on it as it will only make you feel worse.

Good Luck

[Nathan Numberless]

Which is more important, A happy life, or being surrounded in 400th grade math? I guess that's your dilema...