Nationals were held at a terrible time.

[Validius]

I hope that next year nationals are bumped either back a few weeks for forward a few weeks. I had to take my finals early and drop a class (I was going to do it regardless) in order to make it to Atlanta. This situation is common with lots of colleges that use 15 week simesters.

That said, here is my quick shoutout to the teams we were with at nationals!

1394: Good bot, you guys need to change your name to Firewire though!
47: You guys have dedication and heart, it was great to be with you
Holy Cows: You guys did a masterful job of not getting pushed onto the wrong ramp, it was great having you as pitmates.

more to come, work calls right now.

[Erin Rapacki]

Actually, the timing of Championships seemed to work well for a lot of people. Never before had I seen Championships so well/over-staffed and the stands were packed with students, mentors, and other FIRSTers.

When I became a college student I had to accept the reality that I couldn't make Championships EVERY year. Overall, it'll be best to accept that reality and focus on your classes.

Dropping or failing classes for FIRST is NOT an option. College is mportant and should be first priority.

[Greg Needel]

Originally Posted by Validius

I hope that next year nationals are bumped either back a few weeks for forward a few weeks. I had to take my finals early and drop a class (I was going to do it regardless) in order to make it to Atlanta. This situation is common with lots of colleges that use 15 week simesters.

no offence to you as i understand that it can be difficult to schedule your classes and finals around the competition but this is a High School competition. While FIRST promotes and encourages college mentoring they aren't really concerned with the college schedules, except for when spring break is at schools that host events.

Alot of other things like Easter, passover, AP exams, and SAT's are higher on their list.

You will get your wish as next year's championship is scheduled for April 12-14 2007

Also if you were forced to drop a class because you came to the championship/or weren't doing well because of your involvement with FIRST perhaps you should read this thread: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ad.php?t=47004

[Billfred]

Indeed, they were at an awkward time for college students. In fact, it was smack dab in the middle of USC's exam week. However, knowing that the Georgia Dome is a busy place, as is (I'd imagine) the GWCC, it was probably the best date FIRST could get.

But I knew going into the semester what would happen if push came to shove. In fact, I had originally planned to leave after Friday due to one class, but the professor relented a week or so beforehand.

Luckily for us Gamecocks, USC's sliding back its semesters starting in the fall.

[Stephen Kowski]

Originally Posted by Greg Needel

You will get your wish as next year's championship is scheduled for April 12-14 2007

Sweet....I know for me it was held at an awkward time, but I went all the same despite finals being this week. Luckily USF's electrical engineering department almost never has classes on fridays so that works out well.

[Tim Baird]

Originally Posted by Greg Needel

no offence to you as i understand that it can be difficult to schedule your classes and finals around the competition but this is a High School competition. While FIRST promotes and encourages college mentoring they aren't really concerned with the college schedules, except for when spring break is at schools that host events.

Good point, Greg.

Also, remember that some of us balance in a full-time job with the schooling. Fortunately for me, WPI's classes ended a week after I had to leave, so, wrapping stuff up early wasn't a huge deal. Of course, I had to pull 2 back-to-back all nighters and was up 55 hours to make this happen, but, you gotta do what you gotta do.

[Validius]

i was going to drop the class anyways, should i have been doing better in it i would have been forced to drop it (not an option)in order to attend.

[Validius]

yea, next years classes are are going to be carefulyl planned in order to allow for nationals.

I cant wait till next year already, the offseason projects are starting to mount up...

[Beth Sweet]

Mark,

I agree with you entirely. The timing of the competition was why none of my mentors even went for fun this year. While I do understand that it's a high school competition, the number of college teams are increasing.

I am absolutely thrilled about next year's Championship event! The earlier time allows college mentors, at least those from our team, to participate in next year's Championship. If we can get the money for it, I'll see you all in Atlanta 2007!

[oberg]

Well I along with 3 other juniors missed our junior proms. It wasn't the biggest deal because robotics is greater than prom but it would have ben nice to go.

[Erin Rapacki]

Originally Posted by Validius

yea, next years classes are are going to be carefulyl planned in order to allow for nationals.

I cant wait till next year already, the offseason projects are starting to mount up...

Just be careful, read that other thread, don't let FIRST detract from your college education too much. It's easy to get excited, overwhelmed, then burned out from FIRST. Manage time wisely and delegate off tasks.

Next year is my Senior year at NU and I've already told Boston FIRSTers that the only thing I can do is Vol Coord the Regional. Everything else (teams, events, outreach, fundraising, leadership, and even going to Championships) will have to wait until the 2008 season.

[Tim Baird]

Originally Posted by Erin Rapacki

Next year is my Senior year at NU and I've already told Boston FIRSTers that the only thing I can do is Vol Coord the Regional. Everything else (teams, events, outreach, fundraising, leadership, and even going to Championships) will have to wait until the 2008 season.

I know the feeling. My senior year at WPI I didn't even touch FIRST. I spent all of C-term preparing for my trip, and then D term I was working with Gillette in London. No FIRST!

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by Greg Needel

You will get your wish as next year's championship is scheduled for April 12-14 2007

Aye.. guess I gotta do my taxes earlier next year. I was amazed this year when I didn't have to run around and do them before I left for Atlanta as I had many years before.

Guess this was a one time thing so far.

[Greg Needel]

A bunch of people PMed/ emailed me and asked for the source of the information about the dates for the 2007 championship. Well I can't remember my original source. I know that I read it somewhere in an email, but it escapes me.

but to make sure i wasn't spreading wrong information I got the date right off the Georgia dome/world congress center calendar.

http://www.gwcc.com/calendar/gwcc.html

04/11/07 - 04/14/07 FIRST Robotics Championship


Also if you look way down on the page you will find that the 2008 championship dates are

04/16/08 - 04/19/08 FIRST Robotics Championship

[nehalita]

Originally Posted by Greg Needel

You will get your wish as next year's championship is scheduled for April 12-14 2007

that's perfect. I know that last year I got really stressed out because I went to championships right before I had 7 AP tests and this year, had i gone, i would have come back to 5 ap tests and 7 finals in the next three weeks. I guess it depends on everyone's school schedule but having it right before may starts is NOT a cool idea. I'm glad they moved it earlier