URGENT: help with difficult XC decision

If I was in your position I’d find a way to do xc.

Here’s how I’d approach the issue:

I don’t understand the specifics of your high school/college situation, but what I would say is let high school be high school and college be college. Don’t miss an opportunity to enjoy one of the best parts of you high school time (xc) to jump the gun on college.

I don’t think writing your own schedule is a good idea. You don’t have the experience and it’s always better to take the advice of a coach than forge ahead alone given the choice. Additionally, training is often easier and better when done with partners. Thus, I think your running will suffer.

How are you going to feel if your team misses out on a berth at states by 1 or 2 points and you could have made the difference? How are you going to feel if they rally together and win states without you? Those are extreme cases, but they may be illuminating to you. I know how it would affect me.

That’s my approach. You have to find your own answer. I know when I think about my high school cross country team I wish I could go back in time and have one more late summer practice or dewy race morning, because I loved it and I wouldn’t trade my time in for anything.

Often with this kind of decision you already know the answer when you feel like you can’t decide, you just don’t want to face the consequences yet.

decide what you want to do.

wait until somebody tells you what you want to hear then take the advice of that person.

if, a year from today, the decision turns out to be lousy then you can blame it on receiving bad advice.

You have your entire adult life to do things on your own and will come to find doing things as part of a group that shares a common goal by choice is one of life's great experiences. One that money can't buy later on.

Don't rush through this part of your life trying to get a leg up on the next part. It isn't worth it.

I love that fact that you've obviously given this a lot of thought, but I also think you've also done good job of identifying the trees while losing sight of the forest.

When I was your age, I wish that I had a better appreciation of the importance of relationships and shared experiences with those I care about. I was too focussed on my own achievements.

Life isn't that long. Enjoy the journey.

Drop the college courses. Here's the thing: you have a 17-year old brain. You are not mentally ready to do college-level work, not matter how smart you are. You can take a summer course that will give you college credit, but that's not the same thing as taking a real college course with a 19 to 22-year old brain. If all you need the course for is checking a box or jumping through a hoop for your college applications or high school graduation, don't waste the summer before your senior year on it. You only get 1 chance in your life to run XC your senior year with your team. You can take college courses forever if you want.

Why, yes, in fact I do teach college. And I've had high school students in my classes. I think it's great. But it's not worth losing your senior year of XC for.

thank all of you for the help and perspective, I guess I can save the associate's degree for college and finish up these next two years with no regrets

my 2c wrote:

Here's the thing: you have a 17-year old brain. You are not mentally ready to do college-level work, not matter how smart you are.

The rest of your post is correct, but this is silly. Plenty of kids that age are mentally ready to do college-level work (yes, not all of them are, and I'm sure you have had some that weren't - but I wouldn't assume this kid isn't).

^ This

I took 6 AP credits as well as advanced courses that offered me 12 credits my senior year of High school so now Im basically a full semester ahead. I did this all while running the fastest times of my career and qualifying for states in the process. It was very rewarding knowing that I was able to apply myself to both school work and track. It all really depends on how much work you want to put in. Do you enjoy running? Do you have hopes and aspirations for a successful future ? If its a yes for both try to balance it out and if that dosnt work my coach always told me. Running is something you do because you enjoy it but it isnt going to pay the bills like a good degree and education does. So priority needs to be considered.

Quit whining and just do it... you only live once.

Enjoy your time in high school cross country. It may be the last time you run with a team and a coach. One less college class won't make that much difference in the long run.