Mentoring as a College Freshman

[Anupam Goli]

Mentoring in your freshman year of college is really tough. I don't recommend it to anyone unless they've mastered the ability to manage time and network easily with other people. Part of the "freshman experience" at college is having time to meet others and network with people, learning new things and going through new experiences. It might be easiest to take a year off from FIRST to enjoy your freshman year of college, and really get a grip for what you want to do in college and in your future.

Don't underestimate the workload for college either. I barely kept my scholarship (GPA > 3.0) my freshman year, and mostly due to monster drinks and non stop studying for finals so I could keep my A's and raise my C's to B's in all of my classes. You want to be able to get a gauge for how much of a workload your major classes have, and based on that, maybe get a little bit more involved. Try volunteering at local events instead, if you can't quell your FIRST addiction.

FIRST can wait. Your academics and future can't.