I am completely and utterly overwhelmed with schoolwork.?

You need to look into managing your time better. It seems like you're either procrastinating or not doing your work efficiently. You should schedule at least 3-4 hours per night for homework, more if you're in AP classes, and definitely leave time aside for studying, as tests are quite important, and pop quizzes are something that no one likes being unprepared for.

My schedule is: Start with math and science subjects, then move on to foreign language homework. I then go and shower and get comfortable, and finish my work in English, history, and music theory. (It tends to take about 5-6 hours total) Basically, I do the things I am better at first so I don't get tired, and then move on to the things that require a bit more effort, and then I finish up with my best subject.

Breaks are also quite important, as you don't want to be stretching yourself too thin. Free periods are also nice to have, although this is my first year with a free, and it's only two days out of the week. I understand your stress with the show, I am currently the lead in my school's production of a Shakespeare, and it is a LOT of text.

I just sat down during my frees and one day a week during my lunch period and just finished a large chunk in each sitting, then refreshed it the next time. I think through my lines in my head while I brush my teeth or shower, and then right when I wake up, I go through the whole show. As for stress, you need to stop panicking and take a deep breath.

Panic tends to be a good method of procrastination, as you can end up wasting all of your time worrying and then you'd end up missing assignments. This isn't meant to sound cold, I suffer from anxiety, and I find that the amount of time I waste by worrying can be really detrimental, and can really drain your energy levels. Don't let your stress get to you, develop a working routine that you can keep up with, and then leave some time for yourself to de-stress!

Don't worry, it will all work itself out.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.