Dealing with CD Summer Doldrums

[GeeTwo]

While doldrums originally referred to equatorial latitudes without steady trade winds, it now means:

Originally Posted by google search for "doldrums"

a state or period of inactivity, stagnation, or depression

So, if you are the sort of person who is still clicking on CD multiple times per day throughout the summer, how do YOU deal with the summer doldrums? My top two answers follow:

• Click on the Highlighted post at the top right of the screen whenever it seems even remotely interesting. Especially if you joined CD in the last decade, you can learn a whole lot about FRC history.
• Play/contribute in Ether's and others math/physics/etc quizzes. I have definitely sharpened and restored long-under-exercised skills through these challenges.

[Sperkowsky]

Originally Posted by GeeTwo

While doldrums originally referred to equatorial latitudes without steady trade winds, it now means:


So, if you are the sort of person who is still clicking on CD multiple times per day throughout the summer, how do YOU deal with the summer doldrums? My top two answers follow:

• Click on the Highlighted post at the top right of the screen whenever it seems even remotely interesting. Especially if you joined CD in the last decade, you can learn a whole lot about FRC history.
• Play/contribute in Ether's and others math/physics/etc quizzes. I have definitely sharpened and restored long-under-exercised skills through these challenges.

1. Learn CAD and CAD random stuff for fun
2. Make a webshow
3. Host a CADathon
4. Gain sponsors
5. Watch offseason competitions
6. Volunteer at offseason events
7. Teach Freshman
8. Cry

[Gregor]

(NSFW)

Schadenfreude

[Chief Hedgehog]

I will be honest - once July 29 hit imgur, I am afraid to suggest anything. For those that were there understand.

And the beginning of July 30th on imgur was for the birds. Parrots. Whatever. Should've just headed to Duluth.

So now I am just working on 2016 JUMPSTART and getting my house ready to sell (anyone interested in a 2800sqft 4 BR, 2.5 BA in MN? 25 minutes west of the metro area! Main level living! 10x12 shed! 12x14 Deck! Firepit, playset, and dry pond on .4 acres!) I am just trying out how it will read on my local realtor page

Good luck GeeTwo!

[MikLast]

Reading Interesting threads

[Chris is me]

I try to actively use CD less and spend my spare time preparing for the upcoming season as best I can. It's really easy for me to end up on CD when I have a few spare minutes at work, though, so easier said than done, but I don't think there is enough active discussion of interesting topics in the summer to be worth checking in on more than once or twice a day.

Checking Spotlighted threads, if you haven't exhausted them, is a good way to brush up on some history and to learn some really random and specific technical tricks that you'll forget until the exact moment in build season that you need that knowledge. Going through CD-Media and looking closely at historical robots is another way to waste time here if you need to.

[JesseK]

Summer is when I prove to my co-workers that I am worth the extra patience they give me from January - May. Knowing they have my back at work during FRC season is huge when it comes to how much I can help the team in those months.

I encourage kids to get jobs in the summer so they understand what the term "work ethic" really means. Whether the job is self-employed, unpaid house chores or with a traditional 'boss', anything that teaches them the finely detailed nuances involved in any seemingly mundane task is worth the time and effort. There is no magic wand for anything that happens, and an increasing number of kids just don't seem to get that. Often things with manual labor are the best since it doubles as exercise as well as a great segway into socializing later.

[Cothron Theiss]

Originally Posted by JesseK

I encourage kids to get jobs in the summer so they understand what the term "work ethic" really means. Whether the job is self-employed, unpaid house chores or with a traditional 'boss', anything that teaches them the finely detailed nuances involved in any seemingly mundane task is worth the time and effort. There is no magic wand for anything that happens, and an increasing number of kids just don't seem to get that. Often things with manual labor are the best since it doubles as exercise as well as a great segway into socializing later.

http://www.firstinspires.org/alumni

I feel like the Internship Portal doesn't get NEARLY enough exposure or promotion within FRC. That might might be just my experience, or it may change from region to region, but I had never heard of this until I googled "robotics internship high school," and it was one of the first links that popped up. But yes, getting a job or internship is about as good a way for students to drive away the Summer CD Doldrums as any.

[Anupam Goli]

Originally Posted by GeeTwo

So, if you are the sort of person who is still clicking on CD multiple times per day throughout the summer, how do YOU deal with the summer doldrums?

Find another hobby where I can sink untold hours of my time into until FRC season starts again.

[smitikshah]

Aside from the lab work, STEM summits, and resumue building, I like to start networking. I stalk people down on Linkden and start talking to them about prospective internships, outreach, volunteer oppertunties, and other experiences I care about. This summer Ive also started to go to science discussion events and network with people there, like ambasadors to other countries to help boost our team's international outreach initiative. I met so many people from different coutnries who don't have access to STEM programs, and I want to now do something about it. So basically, after I realized that I have the whole world open for me to explore, and make better, I stopped clicking on CD every 5 minutes. If you need some ideas to start doing outreach internaitonally, or would like to get other ideas for things to do this summer (other than obsess over CD - feel free to PM me)

[Monochron]

Originally Posted by Chief Hedgehog

I will be honest - once July 29 hit imgur, I am afraid to suggest anything. For those that were there understand.

And the beginning of July 30th on imgur was for the birds. Parrots. Whatever. Should've just headed to Duluth.

I'm not sure what this has to do with CD doldrums, but I appreciate the reference nonetheless

[Koko Ed]

Don't you people have jobs?

[Basel A]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

Don't you people have jobs?

What exactly do you think we do at work?

[remulasce]

https://xkcd.com/303/

[Cothron Theiss]

Originally Posted by remulasce

https://xkcd.com/303/

Or the mechanical engineers' version:

"FEA is running!!"

"Carry on."