Aidan Gallegos

Ever since ninth grade, Aidan Gallegos has been splitting his time between school, City Music, and extracurricular activities. Juggling all of this can be challenging for even the most organized of people. In the fall of his junior year, Aidan made the decision to take a semester off from his City Music classes in the High School Academy. Now that he is back, we asked him to reflect on his experience.

Why did you take a semester off from City Music?

"I was about to take a full course load, including four advanced placement classes, four honors classes—all with lots of exams. I was also involved in the National Honors Society and Speech and Debate Team after school. Adding an additional three days of High School Academy classes made my schedule too busy and I was worried that I wouldn’t have enough time to study and do my homework. I didn’t think it was possible to do all that at one time. I took a semester off so that I could focus on my academics."

How did you make your decision?

"I decided to continue with the Honors Society and Speech and Debate team because they would give me extra academic support. I didn’t want to stop taking classes, but knew I had to take a step back in order to fully commit to school. When I talked with my parents about it, they were supportive in letting me make the decision. They told me that it was okay to not do everything and I just needed to let the City Music staff know. In my meeting with the Enrollment and Advising Office, they were very understanding. They want the students to feel supported in life, not just in City Music. We talked about what I would do with my time off and how to come back when I was ready. By the end of the year, I felt that I had adjusted to my schedule and let them know in early January that I was ready to start classes again."

What did you notice during the semester you took off?

"The first half of the year is generally more difficult because you’re getting used to a new grade. Even though I had downsized my schedule, I found that I had even more work."

What was your transition back to the High School Academy like?

"The transition was pretty easy in terms of seeing my friends again. I had kept in touch during my time off and it was nice to return to my classes with them. It wasn’t an uncomfortable transition in terms of classes, although it did take a few weeks to get back in the swing of things. There was adapting to a new schedule, but I’m used to that happening every year. With not having theory for six months, I had forgotten a few things. You never really forget how to play music, even if it has been a while. The knowledge always comes back."

What did you learn about yourself through this experience?

"I’ve learned that it’s so important to prioritize my activities. Knowing what is coming up and what I need to prepare helps me stay organized. During the week, I spend more time doing homework, then practice guitar when that’s done or on the weekends. It was hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when I wasn’t in City Music. I knew that I would go back to classes when I was able to handle my schedule better. I think that having a positive attitude is the most important skill to have."