[kibbs425]

I agree with whats being said about being careful with getting involved with a team when you get to college. I just finished my second year at Northeastern and have been on the Nutrons for both years. To go to college and do FIRST is a huge time commitment. Keeping up with classes during the build is tough and requires a lot of scheduling to do it and keep up your grades.

I would just like to say though that being involved in FIRST may help your grades too. Joining the team you will work with other college students some of them will be upperclassmen or the same level as you. The upperclassmen have been where you are and know what its like. They can help you with your classes, homework, how the professors are and what they are like. Use them as a resource. If you have a problem with they homework assignment ask them. They have done it before and can usually assist with most of it.

I know that this past build I stayed after the meetings were finished to help with some physics homework and help them understand how it worked so they would be prepared for the quiz. When I was a freshmen I had some C++ projects that I needed to do and I had the programmer on the team help me debug the program when I couldn't find the problem.

If you join a team while your in college no one says you have to be the person that does everything and becomes over committed. If you just do what you can even if its only a little then its greatly appreciated. Be open minded when going in if its an established team. Its not always going to be like it was back in high school for you. Use the resources of the team to get the help in classes and the other experienced members will help you along the way.

I would say get involved even if its only on a small scale. Make sure you grades don't suffer and take that help and assistance the team can offer you. We've been where you are now and know what its like so if you ask I'm sure we can find an answer to most of your problems. So don't always think that if you stay away from the team it will be the best because it will allow you to spend more time on your school work but if you manage your time and use the assistance/experience of the upperclassmen on the team you will be able to excel in your classes as well and have some fun in FIRST.