Why do we feel more emotional watching a figure skating program than a gymnastics floor routine?

My mom wants me to get a job this summer...?

• Okay, so I'm sixteen years old, and this summer, my mom wants me to get a job, as I already have said. The thing is, I feel like my job is to work really hard so that I can get into a really good school with a really good scholarship. Over the school year, I'm in the I.B. program (which includes some extra exams, loads of A.P., I.B., and a few honors classes, and also required extracurricular hours that have to do with creativity, athleticism, and service). Then, this summer, I plan on taking at least five courses either at local community colleges or online. I also play two instruments, the piano and cello, both of which I am very involved in (I play in an orchestra, go to a sort of music school for a week over the summer, take extra lessons from foreign teachers, and I participate in Federation, where you play music and get judged). I also figure skate, and am in about five different clubs in school. I also plan on going to some camps and such over the summer, and starting some new things during this school year and over the summer, too, like harp lessons, and maybe gymnastics and ballet to help me with my figure skating. I also don't know how I will get hired, since over the summer I will be gone a lot for things like Girls Camp, Cello Institute, and a three-week trip to New York. Anyway, my point is, I just don't know how I can even have time for a job! I feel like the most important things for me to focus on over the next three years are the things that will get me scholarships and acceptance letters to colleges. So, what can I say that will convince my mom to not make me get a job? Or, if I can't, where is a good place for busy teenagers to work? I guess I should stay positive, since it is another activity to put on my applications, but still... Anyway, thanks for reading all of that, and for all of your help! Have a nice day! :D

• Answer:

  If you want to convince your mom, possibly tell her exactly how you feel with your busy schedule. If this won't work, try to find openings for easy jobs, like your local grocery store on Saturdays or something. I'm not sure if this helps, but I heard that a great thing to put on your college resumé/applications is volunteer work. Maybe keeping a journal of how long you helped your community, like how long you helped clean up the trash in your local area (I think you can get into clubs for this, too). Also volunteering at your local hospital by just calling them and asking if you could volunteer, and record how long you volunteered in the journal. If your thinking of joining new lessons and such, but have a busy schedule, then you don't have to join now, for there is always time in the future. If you want to join new groups for your figure skating, that sounds like a great idea, but you might not like the busy schedule. For the skating, you could just pick up some stretches, maybe go to the local gym to help, or do some roller skating. even though I don't know much about figure skating, maybe practice could help, because I play the piano, too, and I learned that practice makes perfect! ;) I hope this helped, and have fun! :) ;) :) - Hanna (Thanks for reading this, too! Lol)