QotW [4-27-03]: Colleges and FIRST Teams

[Matt Leese]

Originally posted by JVN
Advice from someone who's been there:

When you go to college, no matter how "hardcore" you are, take some time to get things in order before joining FIRST.

College will provide you with a great deal of freedom. Learn who you are, explore your options. Don't jump right into FIRST. It's a great competition, it's a great experience, you learn a lot....
but: It's a huge time commitment, and it's downright addictive.

I love FIRST. I enjoy doing it in college.
My GPA does not enjoy me doing FIRST in college.

Everyone says: "I won't let it interfere with my academics"

.... I know I said it...

It becomes very, VERY easy to sacrifice other things to do FIRST, especially when there are others relying on you. It's easier than you think.

Even if all your doing is sketching a new transmission design when your supposed to be taking notes in Chemistry. Or if you zone out and start thinking about how your gonna play this year's game when you should be studying for your finals. If you go to competition instead of taking your physics test, and blow off studying for the makeup because... heck, competition is more fun.

Kids... it's harder than you think.
Good luck.

If you ever need to talk to someone who's been through it...
AIM: JNoon2
Email: vielkije@clarkson.edu




PS - Amanda, I'm sorry to hear about you stepping back... Of all us "college FIRSTers" you seemed like the one who had it most together. Remember, we all need to find that balance in our lives, and sometimes that means we dont always get exactly what we want...

I agree that it's very very hard to do FIRST in college. I'd add that there are more problems than just balancing FIRST and school work. One of the major issues I've seen with going from high school to college is the fact that the team you are in in college will be very different than the team you were on in high school. This can be a good thing but I've seen too many college students not truly realize this and end up leaving the team because of it.

For those of you who are thinking about mentoring in college, I strongly recommend it. It's one of the best experiences you can get as well as just a good thing to do for your community.

As for who has it together the best of college students doing FIRST, my vote goes to Joe Ross. He did FIRST for three years in high school then four years now in college. Then again he's been telling me he won't do it next year because of senior design (I don't really believe him). Good luck to all of you trying to stay involved.

Matt