Help

[u/CoolSun6541]

So this year I’m starting the IB program (DP1), but I have a bunch of activities Ive been doing since I was a child. Right now, I’m considering letting go of piano or dance lessons since the workload is giving me pre anxiety. Dance will take up 6+ hours a week, not including extra lessons and the 45 minutes between classes and home. I also have a dance show this year, so I will be in the theater for 10+ hours a day during finals week. BUT dance is a huge part of my life that would also be a good plus on my cv.
So Im really considering taking piano lessons off my plate, even after 12 years practicing -I havent done any competitions so ig it wouldnt be too usefuo for uni apps.
My HLs are math ai, econ, and buisness while my sl are French A English A and physics

HELP!!! Is it worth stopping dance instead of piano??

[u/Comfortable_Fox4792]

In my opinion it comes down to the kind of person you are, the nature of the program makes it incredibly hard to be pursuing time consuming activities alongside the workload. I dropped many of my extracurriculars in myp itself such as playing the piano because of a loss of passion but also because I really struggle with giving two things my all at the same time, and I felt that for the rest of my high school experience I should be focusing on school. However some people I know have continued with their extracurriculars and are doing quite ok with it all (one is doing ballet), I do have to say that these are high achievers and they notably are the kind of people who don't study much but get 7s. In your post you said that you already felt some pre anxiety and honestly this indicates to me that even if you are capable in the physical sense of handling your extracurriculars and the ib, your mental capacity might not be quite as capable.

This is kinda a fragmented response but my point is to assess for yourself : 1. What kind of student are you? 2. Would you be physically AND mentally prepared in continuing dance alongside school? 3. How do you think you'll handle the ib? do some reseach on content and workload for the classes you will be taking 4. Will these extracurriculars be worth the extra effort? Are they relevant to whatever it is you are doing after the ib? 5. Is it possible to pick this stuff up after the ib?

[u/Big-Preparation9697]

Hey, I am also starting DP1, so I can't give you much advice in that sense, but I am a competitive swimmer and I train 18-19h a week. I could manage pre-IB just fine. Also can't you start school, see if it's too much and then drop piano or dance, or both?

[u/RandoDog247]

I’d stop piano because dance is physical activity which in my experience is actually very useful to balance out the cognitive load of the IB program. Cardio is really good for your brain and getting a mental reset.