Attn: Present & Future College Students, Think carefully before you mentor

[Kevin Kolodziej]

This is a great thread and all students that are considering continuing their involvement with FIRST while in college should take a look at it - but they need to evaluate themselves to know for sure what they can do. Some can handle it, some cannot. When I look back at the things I have done with FIRST while in college, its a hard list for me to believe. The fact that I have kept up a 3.5+ GPA is even more of a miracle. I have had a blast doing it, but if I knew what all I would be doing before I did it, I cannot say for sure that I would have done it.

Time management is key. If you are going to be an integral part of a team, you need to make sure that your schedule can handle it. Block off time for everything EXCEPT robots and other extracurricular activities first, and then see what you have time for. I have no problem admitting that my TV time currently consists of one hour a day as I go to bed and no video games anymore. My Chiefdelphi time is significantly reduced too

One thing is for sure though - if I had NOT done what I have done while in college, the last 4 years would have been VERY boring. Getting a good education is great...its extremely important...but I think most businesses look for what else you have done. Most of the businesses that MSOE students apply at do not even look at grades. I cannot guess how common that is, however.

One final thing: don't be afraid to try it and fail.
"Success often comes from taking a misstep in the right direction." - Anonymous

Kev