What I have Learned in FIRST

[RBrandy]

This is an off-shoot of the "Sad Day for Seniors" Thread. I ask the question to any member: What have you learned during your FIRST years?

I'll start.

I know I have learned a lot about engineering and mechanics than anything else(ie. putting a piece of aluminium on the two battery contacts is a bad thing, when a set screw is not tight, your robot tends to not go very far, and are milling somthing, forget to have the spindle going, move the table, a large piece of metal get ruined. However, I learned many more lessons about the more important, what-FIRST-wants-us-to-learn things. Like: You should always take advantage of the oportunities you have; It doesn't matter how you do at something, just try your hardest, enjoy being there, have fun. You most likley won't have another chance to do it again; Try something you have never done before, you may find a new hobby or something; stressing out about things only will make the situationg worse, so chill out. So many more. FIRST was deffinatly a GREAT time in my life.

I've made many new friends, and learned some cool stuff along the way.

GOOD LUCK NEXT YEAR, SENIORS

So team RAGE (173) had a nice laminated paper... remember the "everything I needed to know I learned in Kindergarten"? It's like that...
So credit to them for this... I'm just typing it since I have it right by my computer and I love it =)

All I ever Needed to Know I learned from FIRST

• Science, engineering, and technology can be fun
• Be nice to others
• Share your resources
• Duct tape is what holds the world together
• It's not about winning, it's about how you play the game
• Meet your deadlines
• Work hard when it's time to work and play hard when it's time to play
• Listen to other people; adults can teach you a lot
• Listen to other people; Students can teach you a lot
• You can build all the robots you want, but you still need people to make the world turn
• Become a lifelong volunteer
• There is no "I" in "TEAM"
• Smile
• Gracious Professionalism goes a long way
• There's always going to be tough calls
• The world does not revolve around you
• Make new friends
• Riding on a Segway is the closest thing you'll get to a magic carpet ride
• Set goals
• Sometimes you just have to move out of your own way
• Don't whine
• If it ain't broke, don't fix it
• Life is full of successes and failures and you can learn a lot from both
• Lend a hand
• Don't operate machinery unless someone shows you how
• Reach for the stars
• Safety glasses are not forehead protectors
• If you've learned something, pass it on
• Say "Thank you" often
• It's OK to sleep if you're tired, even during the middle of Build
• File these memories so you can take them out in old age
• Take pride in what you've accomplished
• Agree to disagree
• Challenge yourself
• Laugh at your mistakes
• Use the right tool for the right job
• Measure twice
• Act as though your grandmother was watching you
• Take risks; you can always ask for forgiveness later
• If you're not willing to be part of the solution, don't be part of the problem
• Pursue your passion
• Think outside the universe

Thanks 173

Otherwise, personally I learned
sometimes things go worse than expected, but sometiems they go far far better than expected.

[RiceRobotica]

Well, I learned the extended basics of metal work:
~How to use a mill
~How to use the circle-y thing on the mill (technical term for the base that turns the piece of metal around)
~How to use the metal laithe
~How much my legs can hurt after a 6 hour marathon at the metal laithe
~That if you give stuck programmers a blank stare, they figure out exactly what's wrong in the program
~The value of clear comminication
~Teamwork can be ambitious but attainable
~Robot nerd boys have the BEST hair!
~Robot nerds will hug anybody who screams out, "Free hugs!"
~The scouts are mightier than the drive team
~Great legs can be attained with four flights of escalators as long as you take them in a rush 8 times a day
~And fireworks with people I met two days before after an evening of "telephone" and good food will be as unforgettable as the people themselves.

[Mike Schroeder]

I've learned that there is no one way to do things, that the box, isnt that big, so think outside it, to listen to what those guys with the degrees are saying, they know what they are talking about but think for yourselves, your ideas are important too

[KathieK]

Originally Posted by ellenchisa

So team RAGE (173) had a nice laminated paper... remember the "everything I needed to know I learned in Kindergarten"? It's like that...
So credit to them for this... I'm just typing it since I have it right by my computer and I love it =)

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoy the essay. I compiled it using ideas gathered from Chief Delphi. You can download a copy from the White Papers section. I have it on my desk at work to remind me why I love this program!

[Terminator6]

Originally Posted by ellenchisa

All I ever Needed to Know I learned from FIRST

Awesome list covers some of the best....

but....heres my big one....

* caffine sustains life

(for me anyway)

[E. The Kidd]

I've learned a few things thanks to FIRST:

Saying I told you so dosen't help anyone! so don't waste time saying it cause it takes time away from your bot

Don't judge a team before you know them! many teams that have had sucess in the past are willing to share how they did it (not to mention they have really friendly people)

Make friends with your old team, you never know when you'll be asked back! I believe this now

and finally... Remember to have fun! I think you can get a lot more out of FIRST if you do it for fun rather than winning, I've made that mistake in that past and trust me FIRST wasn't nearly as fun as it is now

So much was learned...
~You are free to do whatever you want...but every action has a consequence whither good or bad.
~If you really listen to people, you learn much more then what they are saying
~Guys in Robotics hug much more then guys not in robotics
~It's ok to say you don't understand; it's not ok to say you don't understand and not let anyone explain it to you
~Give people a chance...they will surprise you more than likely
~Differences in race, color, creed, nationality, and gender all seem to blend together and become less important when you're working on a robot
~Never ever go to bed mad; especially if you talk in your sleep.
~Don't be too surprised if someone down the road qoutes you on something you said.
~Talk nicely to yourself. You are your own personal cheering section
~Mentors and other team mates and people will help you out if you need them; all you have to do is ask for help
~Your team cares about you...whither you like it or not
~Wendy's is a balanced meal
~No matter how hard you wish and pray...the people you don't like wont go away any faster and the people you do like are always leaving too soon
~The best part of being on a team isn't about the robot or about the web site or about this or that...it's about the great friends you make and the fun you have with them
~Tell people you appricaite them while you can...tell them you love them...tell them you care...because you may not have a tomorrow to do it.
~Life is precious. Respect it.

[sanddrag]

Let me put my learning experience this way:

The semi-important things I have learned would take up more than the character count allowed in a post.

The really important things I've learned can't really be described in words.

Or maybe I haven't learned at all, because FIRST isn't an education, it is a way of life.

[BandChick]

Originally Posted by RBrandy

What have you learned during your FIRST years?

I don't think there's a complete answer to this question. One, because I haven't left FIRST yet, and two, because I learned so much that it'd be near impossible to touch on everything FIRST taught me. I will try, because I think some of these experiences incoming freshman are missing out on. I learned the value of a team. 1089 started the season antsy, bossy, and complete individuals, but by the end of build season we had not only developed close friendships, but we were no longer snapping at each other over our disagreements. I learned the value of compromise, and especially that you can't always get what you want.

I learned what friendship really is, and that regardless of where you live or what race and religion you are, FIRST will give you friends, not only nationwide, but worldwide.

I learned your general electronics, mechanics, and a ton of tool names and their uses (because being your semi-geeky girl before this I was limited in my knowledge).

I learned that building a decent fully-functional robot in 6 weeks is acheivable, but hard nonetheless.

I learned that FIRST is about the experience you bring to the table and how you interact with other teams, and because of this, I realized life is too. I learned that gracious professionalism is important on the playing field if not moreso in real life. I've learned that FIRST is a piece of the real world, and it's more than just a game, it's a way of life.

I've learned more from FIRST than I could ever succesfully post in 10,000 characters, and more than I could express in words.

What I learned in FIRST will take me a lifetime to forget.

I've learned that true mentors always believe in you and support you even when you yourself hit the bottom...

[tiffany34990]

well GOOD LUCK TO SENIORS!! I HOPE U GUYS START MORE TEAMS!!--just wanted to say that and well i'm not leaving yet but i must say I've learned a whole lot- in 6 weeks this year i've learned soo much about machining-- and well i soo luv the Bridgeport--now that's a cool machine to learn how to use-- i hope those out there all get a chance to use it!!

[Tytus Gerrish]

ive learned That Ac Current and DC current are NOT! compatable....

can we say smokey burning electronics?

BTY: electricity is stupid anyways, Mechanical things are Awesome!

[Amanda M]

FIRST has been a way of life to me for three years now.

I have learned that even a junior in High School has the ability to be successful in changing the world. They have the ability to reach out to other people and inspire them to do great things. They can reach out to both younger and older generations.

This is going to sound dumb, but everytime I hear what teams have done for a Chairman's Award, I start to get teary. It amazes me. These are kids MY AGE doing things that most adults don't do because they don't know where or how to start.

I've met some of my best friends through FIRST. The students that participate in this program are awesome, wonderful kids. I look up to them, and hold them in high respect for their ability to make a difference.

I've learned to help others when they are down. It kills me to go to a softball game and hear the other team heckling mine as they win. In FIRST I don't see that. I see kids helping one another in pits, in scouting, on this Forum. They are just brimming with Gracious Professionalism, and even though I don't know them, I am proud to be associated with them.

I have been transformed by this program. And I know that there are ups and downs, winners and losers, but in FIRST all that really matters is how you grow from the experience. Its not really a robotics competition. The robots are merely vehicles used to make society a better place, and to inspire the youth of the world to help one another, and to become more united.




Amanda

[Karthik]

I decided to wait a few days after nationals to make this post, just so it wouldn't be overwhelmed by emotional state that I'm always led through at the end of competition season. Nevertheless, this message may still by overly wishy-washy.

The 2004 season was unlike any season I've ever been through in FIRST. It had to be. I was with a new team, and enlisted with new responsibilities. I'd been a mentor before, but this time it was different. No longer was I the kid who graduated a few year ago that's everyones buddy, rather I was the new adult who was in charge of the show.

From day one, I was viewed with some skepticism. I quickly learned that no one was going to respect me just because of my resume. (With good reason, I'm really not all that respectable at first glance...Good looking yes, respectable no) Respect as a mentor is earned. It's earned by putting your best foot forward. It's earned by guiding students, and listening to their ideas. I learned that no matter how sure I am that I know the right answer, it's always worth listening to the other options.

I learned that it's not easy to be a mentor and friend at the same time. I also learned that it's not impossible either. It takes some work. But trust me, it's worth it.

I learned that losing isn't always the worst thing. I was completely heartbroken when we lost in the finals of the Canadian Regional. It showed on my face. I had a hard time even looking at my students and alliance partners. But having them come up to me and tell me that it didn't matter because they had accomplished so much, that was shocking. Then I realized that I needed to snap out of it. These kids were upset that we lost, but they knew it wasn't the end of the world. If they could be okay about losing, that meant I should be perfectly alright with it. Sure we all want to win, but in some sort of way, we all did.

(Someone please remind of this post the next time I get all sad over losing a regional, it will happen.)

In these past four months, the high school students I worked with became an integral part of my life. Not many of them will believe this, but I'm actually going to miss them. Seriously. =) I never knew that working with kids could be this rewarding. Seeing kids who had no prior interest in robotics, running around the Georgia Dome screaming their lungs out is the best feeling. Hearing rookie team members ask me questions about the 1999 game and FIRST history makes smile all over. I love this stuff.

These past four months really changed my life, and my perspective on things. Those of you out there who know me, know that there have been times in my life where I've been very unmotivated and aimless. That's all gone now. Seeing the spirit of these kids, brought back the spirit in me. (This is really going to sound like a bad after school special, sorry) I feel completely recharged, and ready to take on the world again. I began this season hoping to inspire others, and ended up being inspired myself. Now if that's not a testament to FIRST, then I don't know what is.

At the team party, a few kids from my team and few from other teams came up to me to thank me. They told me that I was a great mentor, and that they'd miss me. This feeling was better than any championship or award. I almost started crying. Hell, thinking about it now is making me all teary eyed. These memories will be carried next to my heart for the rest of my life.

Students, if you have the chance, go find a mentor who inspired you this year and go say thank you.

Mentors, if you have the chance, go find a student who inspired you this year and go say thank you.

It'll be special for both of you.

This post is way too long winded for my liking. I apologize. I guess I just needed to say some things. Really, I learned way more than I can express in an online forum.

Thanks to everyone who made this season special. You all know who you are.