If You Could Start Over With Your FIRST Experience...

[JaneYoung]

What would you do differently, the same, modify, or - change?

I've been thinking about this question for a little while and, as I do, the layers peel back a little at a time. One answer that I've come up with for my personal experience is that I wouldn't have waited so long to find people who are storehouses of knowledge, experience, and an understanding/empathy that has practical applications.

What would you do if you could start over? :)

Jane

[ProgramLuke]

I would have started earlier. Not joining as a freshman was the worst mistake I have ever made.

[Cheerleader1073]

Absolutely nothing, seriously though. I'll keep this one short and sweet compared to my normal contributions to posts like these - I've simply learned so much about everything from relationships to building a robot to finalizing what I want to pursue for my career to finding out what REALLY allows me to have complete fun from my first few years of FIRST since my freshman year. I would never trade the mistakes I've made with the physical robot or with people for anything else because those are the times where I've learned the most! I can't wait for my senior year this year to sort of be able to share those same experiences 'one last time' with the little freshmen :]. So, to answer your question truthfully, I wouldn't change a thing!

[Chris is me]

This is a tough question because it's hard to figure out a situation in robotics that both had an important outcome later in my experience, and didn't end up having a net positive effect on me when all was said and done. For example, when I competed in FTC my junior year, I could have built a better robot or spent more time in the design phase, gotten mentors, etc., but then I likely wouldn't have been picked by the alliance I did. I wouldn't have won the event, wouldn't have been offered help by 1714, and wouldn't have jumped into FRC.

So really, I can think of a lot of things I wish I did differently, but I wouldn't change any of them if I could.

[ttldomination]

This year I learned to CAD...in April...of my senior year...so you can say that it was a bit late. I wish I would've learned it in my first or second year.

- Sunny

[BrendanB]

I would have started a year or two before I did. I would have loved to learn CAD sooner rather than later. I wished I had spent less time in FRC during my junior and sophmore years. My grades dropped a little, I didn't get as much out of my studies as possible, senior year was the only year that I stayed on top of my school 100%.

Other than that, it was great!

[delsaner]

The only thing I could think of is that I should have been more involved as a freshman. All else was satisfactory in my view.

[kgzak]

Be more involved in my freshman year and maybe started programing my freshman year. Not really that much.

[Aren Siekmeier]

I would have made much more of an effort to join the team in its rookie year when I was in 8th grade (2007). I had heard about the team from my FLL mentor (the founder, actually) and knew I wanted to be involved, however, the faculty member coordinating the program at the time was (and still is, although he no longer coordinate FRC at our school) pretty stringent on the 9th grade lower limit. Now our team has several 8th grade members, and I have encountered many other teams with younger members.

I think another thing is that I maybe would have tried to pulled some more of my peers into the program with me when I started, because now approaching senior year they have become more involved in other things or missed the opportunity entirely. Get 'em young, I guess...

[Brandon Holley]

I would say almost all of the things I would change are related to strategy or design decisions of various years and robots.

As others here have said, I don't think I would change much in terms of the mistakes and learning experiences because they have produced positive results thus far.

As a mentor, there are certainly some things I would have done differently over the past 5+ years or so, but for the most part, I believe they have produced positive results as well, so its tough to pinpoint exactly what to change.

-Brando

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Sorry Jane, I can't remember that far back.

[Jared Russell]

I would have chosen a different haircut, because I'm not sure what the heck I was thinking in 2001.

[JesseK]

Generally I have no regrets, but perhaps I would assist in running the team more rather than focusing solely on the technical aspects.

[Karibou]

Over the past few years, there have been several emails that I did not send and should have, several tasks that I probably should have done earlier than I did, and several opinions that I didn't voice. If I were to start over, I would listen to my gut feeling a lot more. I would send those emails, not procrastinate, and voice my opinions a lot more.

I would have also gotten involved earlier in my freshman year. I was really not into the whole robotics deal until the November and December before Kickoff, and I wish I would have jumped on the bandwagon sooner. I still had an incredibly productive, enjoyable, and rewarding season that year, but I always wonder what it would have been like if I had began going to work sessions in the beginning of the pre-season.

Overall, I would have put more of my ideas and opinions on the table and stuck with them. There were several times, especially this year, where I let myself get trampled on by the opinions of others, and I wish I had stuck with my points.

[Nicole175]

i definitely would have started freshman year rather than sophomore. robotics was definitely the best club Ive ever joined... honestly, its more like a family than a club. and i wish i could have found it sooner (: plus, it would have given me more time to learn java and discover my role on the team sooner :p

i wish i was a bit more experienced now, and if i had joined earlier i feel like i would be... but besides being more involved... i dont think i would change anything about my experience (: so many great memories, and im sure many many more to come

[AcesJames]

I think if there was anything I could have changed, it would be my involvement in my freshman year. I did a lot of sitting around, and a lot of watching. I did end up on pit crew that year, just because I lurked around the pits so much. It did teach me a lot, but I think I could have learned even more, had I really dove into it and tried to explore, rather than just carefully observing.

As for the time past freshman year, I wouldn't change much at all, except for a few small things. I would have liked to have a larger impact on the way my team is run. For the past season and a half, I've been seeing such great examples of genius ideas from other teams on CD, and then bringing those ideas to my own team and asking why we couldn't do something similar. At this point, I'm now ready to take it one step further, and motivate my team to be the best we can be, and not follow and copy a team that I wish we were more like.

Finally, in going along with my previous point, I've almost made a habit out of saying more than doing. At the shop, or at competitions, I've been the one to push others along with words, rather than pushing forward with them in my actions, and physically doing the work with them. The old adage of "leading by example" is perfect here. I need to do much more of that in this coming season.

[demosthenes2k8]

I agree with a lot of what was stated by AcesJames-I'd definitely try to be more involved in freshman year, because I ended sitting behind the at-the-time software members and watching them. (I got revenge by pointing out errors before they compiled.) That even kinda happened sophomore year, although I was actually given tasks.

I would definitely take the opportunity to do it again, though, simply because FIRST has been such a huge part of my life and it's definitely changed me.

[JaneYoung]

Just a thought here - never underestimate the power of observation or quiet learning. It takes all sorts of skills and talents to run an efficient and successful team and what you pick up/observe/learn may not be used (to your knowledge) during the current season but can be applied at a later time. (There are some excellent threads in CD regarding what the meaning of success is if anyone is interested in searching and reading, btw.)

Great posts, people - well, except for the old one, Al. :)

Jane

[blayde5]

I would have started earlier. Not joining as a freshman was the worst mistake I have ever made.

This is a big one for me too. I joined in 10th grade and joined the team's management the next year.

The extra year of experience would have definitely helped me while I was on management (in charge of the mechanical team) as I was still learning about mechanics this year while trying to lead the group.

Another one is not keeping up with my CAD modeling :P More practice is better!

[Enigma's puzzle]

If i could do it again, I would have pushed to start a Team when i was a Freshman instead of a Junior. Ohhh, the missed opportunities.

[Hawiian Cadder]

welllll. i designed the robot this year, and i didn't put much thought into how many screws to use, on previous robots there was a metal screw about every two inches, in some places on this years robot there was a screw ever 3/8 of an inch, almost 800 in all, nearly 10 LBS of fastening hard-wear.

[Dkt01]

I started in my sophomore year, which was probably my biggest regret. After joining the team I realized that this was probably the best thing I've ever done. Starting freshman year (or sooner if possible) would have been nice.

[hallk]

I would have started started earlier. That being said I wouldn't have given up so many of my other interests to over commit myself to robotics.

[dag0620]

1 regret

Instead of pushing so hard of getting involved in programming, I should of just let the other guy on our team do it all like he wanted and avoided the constant times we were at eachothers throat.. Instead I should of went to build team to increase my knowlege on working with tools. If i end up switching to build team, its going to be at a disadvangte not being heavily involved in that world.

[bladetech932]

I would do it over again the exact same way just so I could enjoy all the things I've done all over again! I have no regrets and loved every single minute!

[CENTURION]

I would have started my freshman year. As it is, I joined my senior year, so I only got to spend one awesome year with FIRST as a student.

[Jacob Paikoff]

The only things I would have changed would have posting more on CD and learning more about other team and the history of FIRST earlier on.

For the posting more: Almost every thread I read,which is tons, I formulate a opinion or response but rarely post them because I have always been a little worried about people thinking what I am saying is stupid, which normally they dont.

For the history: My freshman year I got to be down on the field with the pit crew for eliminations and we made it all the way to the division finals. At the time I thought it was cool and a lot of fun, but looking back it was lost on me how rare the opportunity was and I didnt completely understand.

[JaneYoung]

Almost every thread I read,which is tons, I formulate a opinion or response but rarely post them because I have always been a little worried about people thinking what I am saying is stupid, which normally they dont.

There is another side to this. When you refrain from posting wisdom or thoughtful insights or knowledge, then the community loses the opportunity to be strengthened, fortified, enlightened, or thoughtful. When you take the time to post wisely, it helps you build tougher skills and deepen your self-confidence. Well-written and thought-provoking posts also strengthen the discussion and create/leave a valuable thread for others to read as they follow behind you.

Just a thought.
Jane

[Dragon Princess]

I would have made myself a more predominant member of the Mechanical team, instead of being pushed to the Electrical and Software side of the build team because I'm a girl.

Even some mentors on my team told me that I couldn't be on mechanical because of my gender, I've proved them wrong! They'll also be wrong when I get my pilots license as well, proved them they can't say what's a road block to what I want to do.

Without FIRST I would have never found my way into avionics. :D

[ttldomination]

Even some mentors on my team told me that I couldn't be on mechanical because of my gender, I've proved them wrong!

Going off topic here, but what kind of sexist mentality were your leaders following?

- Sunny

[Dragon Princess]

Going off topic here, but what kind of sexist mentality were your leaders following?

- Sunny

Honestly I still have no clue. I used to work on go-carts in middle school for a racing hobby I had, and until my Dad became a mentor on the team I 'wasn't qualified' to do anything on the robot.
They assumed because all of the other girls wanted to go into the 'corporate' side of the team I would as well.
Our team was only a year old when I joined, so it wasn't such a big deal, but I go out of my way now to get girls on the Mechanical team and not to be pushed off into the 'Electrical' group as an afterthought.

[Karibou]

For the posting more: Almost every thread I read,which is tons, I formulate a opinion or response but rarely post them because I have always been a little worried about people thinking what I am saying is stupid, which normally they dont.

This is the same mentality that I had when I first joined CD, and for the several months that came after that. The community here is a bit old-fashioned in the reputation end of things, and it is often hard for new people (especially teenagers) to find their niche because of how laid-back the rest of society is. You're not alone. But - and this is directed at all new users - I'd rather watch users make themselves at home on this forum by trial and error, hopefully learning that their reputation (not the green dots) DOES matter. Those with well-formulated opinions, but with inflated egos, will begin to accept that others have opinions. Those who tYp3 liek this!!!!!!111 but know almost everything about CNC mills will realize that this is a place of proper English, semicolons and all, will begin typing normally, and the rest of us will have a chance to learn from a wonderful resource.

You don't know what others will really think of you until you actually start posting.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled discussion.

[Chris is me]

A pro tip on this tangent: If you're the kind of person who carefully decides when to post to make sure your post has value and what you're saying is correct, you are not the kind of person anyone will have any problems with here. :)

[Jacob Paikoff]

This is the same mentality that I had when I first joined CD, and for the several months that came after that. The community here is a bit old-fashioned in the reputation end of things, and it is often hard for new people (especially teenagers) to find their niche because of how laid-back the rest of society is. You're not alone. But - and this is directed at all new users - I'd rather watch users make themselves at home on this forum by trial and error, hopefully learning that their reputation (not the green dots) DOES matter. Those with well-formulated opinions, but with inflated egos, will begin to accept that others have opinions. Those who tYp3 liek this!!!!!!111 but know almost everything about CNC mills will realize that this is a place of proper English, semicolons and all, will begin typing normally, and the rest of us will have a chance to learn from a wonderful resource.

You don't know what others will really think of you until you actually start posting.

Thanks, and thanks to Jane as well.

And I am planning on making my opinions heard more now that I am going to be a mentor, but I have been on off CD the whole summer getting ready for college.

[Vermeulen]

I would have joined earlier, and would have worked harder freshman year. I joined about 2 weeks into build season, and definitely slacked off too much. Sophomore year I wouldn't have worn black shoes in our cement-dust covered build site. :rolleyes:

[Akash Rastogi]

I would have made sure I worked with engineers and getting engineers on my team early.

[FRC4ME]

My three years on my high school team were amazing, much moreso than anything else I've ever experienced. I wouldn't dare change it. I guess I'll have to join the crowd and say my only change would have been to join a year earlier. Although in my situation I never really had the opportunity to do that. (Which is alright; those three years were just as amazing on their own.)

Seriously...from placing second at our regional my first year to winning a technical award in Atlanta my last, my experience with that team couldn't have been more perfect.

I guess one thing I would have done is talked to the mentors about how they did what they did, because I knew from year one I would be a FIRSTer for life. I'm in my second year of college and trying to mentor a local team now, which is quite a different (though still wonderful) experience.

[Trent B]

I would:
- Participate more on chief delphi and encourage my peers to draw on its wealth of knowledge.
- Spend more time passing on my knowledge to team members and encouraging new team members to learn (my goal is to only touch the bot to show someone how to assemble a 8020 end fastener for example)
- Secure more engineering mentors for my team.