Quote:
Originally Posted by JamesCH95
...It was an enormous amount of work, but I started to find out where my limits were both mentally and physically, which is probably one of the most valuable things I've ever learned and most definitely contributed to my success in college.
I find no fault with someone who devotes a large (even excessive) amount of time to pursuing what they are passionate about.
|
I wholeheartedly agree with this view. Robotics provided me with utterly invaluable skills for college--and, I strongly suspect, for the rest of my life. Responsibility, teamwork, leadership, organization, communication... and a host of basic technical skills. Near the top, though, is definitely time management. (2 years as captain-manager and mechanical lead, 500-600hrs/season, above a 4.0, with Air Force Auxiliary and marching band will do that.)
In college, I have 20 credits/semester with a 3.9 in honors engineering, plus Air Force ROTC, band, and 200hrs/build season with a 7hr round-trip commute. I've had friends with half the commitments really screw themselves over for want of those HS skills and experiences. (The irony? I wouldn't have
graduated high school if not for robotics. It put me on track--gave me something to live for.)
Far be it from me to begrudge a student that opportunity. Is everyone ready for it? No. Can one always tell? Building up slowly and getting to know people helps, but no, it can't be perfect. I'll do everything in my power to help a dedicated student understand their limits as painlessly as possible, but sometimes you've got to hit them on your own. That trial-by-fire was the single most important step in my education--in my life--to date. No one could have carried me through that, and in retrospect, I wouldn't have wanted them to. Wonder if they knew that at the time.
