[EricH]

I was in the same boat. I decided immediately that I wouldn't start a team, which would be my only option at school. (SDSM&T has no teams closer than halfway across the state or more, and Denver is the closest regional.) So I decided to come back to my old team for the first week or so (Christmas break means GO HOME at Mines). Then I heard that a team we'd mentored their first year which had dropped out of FRC was coming back and needed a hand. I went over there instead. It's been an experience.

I will continue to help 1135 as best I can, but it will have to be via the web--SD to CA is a trip. I might return for L.A., but I'm not sure whether it'll be as a mentor or a volunteer (or both) yet.

So, to sum up:
Starting a team is probably not a good idea.
Mentoring a team should only be done if you have free time--breaks, all work complete, etc.
Volunteering is a better idea, but only if you have the time.

School comes first.